The Easiest Way To Jumpstart Your Self-Care Practice

"How do you start a consistent self-care practice?" is probably the #1 question women ask me.

My answer is simple:

AM. PM.

In the morning, do something for yourself.

In the evening, do something for yourself.

Easy. Done.

I've followed this system (can I even call it a system because it's so damn easy?) for close to 4 years now.

It's the simplest thing I can think of to make sure I don't lose sight of who I am and what I need to thrive in a world that pulls on me damn near every waking moment.

What the "AM/PM" routine does is two-fold:

• It powers you up for whatever your day has in store for you. You get in some me-time before work, before traffic, before kids, before whatever stresses pop up in your day.

• It releases whatever stress you may have accumulated during the day so you can rest and actually replenish yourself before bed.

Now, what might that look like in practice for you?

AM

• Yoga/simple stretches

• Morning tea/coffee

• Journaling

• Mirror affirmations

• Prayer

• Music

• Silence (Underrated!!)

• Warm shower

• Aromatherapy

PM

• Warm bath

• Self-massage with warm massage oil

• Reading

• Journaling

• Meditation

• Prayer

• Netflix (yeah it counts but pay attention to how close you watch before bedtime!)

• Aromatherapy

…And really, this is just what my list looks like. These are activities I can turn to again and again to set the mood I desire.

Now, it's important for you to note that this is not the total of my self-care practice. This is the baseline. These are the activities I include in my day that are just as common and routine as brushing my teeth or washing my face.

Take a few minutes now to consider:

• What can I add to my morning routine that fills me up? Am I a downward dog person or a quick bath person? How much time can I devote to myself each morning?

• What can I add to my evening routine that soothes me? What time do I need to start winding down each evening?