Have you ever heard the saying: you can’t pour from an empty cup? With everything we’ve faced these past two years – including numerous lockdowns and a pandemic that’s changed the way we do things – this saying has never been truer. You can’t care for others if you’re not taking care of yourself.

When you think of self-care, you might picture a long day of pampering at a spa. But this isn’t what real self-care is about. Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive – you don’t need a seven-step skincare routine packed with pricy products. It also doesn’t have to take long. You shouldn’t have to rearrange your schedule to fit in some self-care.

Here are some simple self-care ideas you can work into your routine to take better care of yourself.

Moisturise your hands

Our hands are one of the first parts of our bodies to show our age and this is usually because we haven’t taken good care of the skin on our hands over the years. Moisturising your hands regularly is a quick way to show yourself some love. Choose a cream you love and keep it on your desk, bedside table, or even on the coffee table and moisturise your hands whenever you think about it. It literally takes two seconds (especially if you choose a fast-absorbing product) and can make you feel like you’re putting time into caring for yourself even while you’re busy.

Breathe deep

Without even realising it, we go most of our days breathing quite shallowly. This can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and even lowered concentration. You don’t have to meditate or do yoga to reap the benefits of deep breathing. A few deep breaths a couple of times a day can work wonders. And you can do it just about anywhere.

Try breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for three seconds, and then breathing out for four seconds. This is called box breathing and can really help you feel more energised and relaxed.

Burn a candle or diffuse some scents

Aromatherapy is a powerful tool to help you relax, feel more grounded, and even boost your mood. Again, this doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Simply lighting your favourite candle, burning some essential oils in a burner, or even spraying your sheets with a linen spray will do the trick. You can do this as you get ready for bed or even while you’re getting dressed in the morning.

Stretch before bed

Gentle stretching before you get into bed can improve the quality of your sleep as well as your overall wellbeing. Do an online search for stretches that you would enjoy and spend five to ten minutes before bed doing them. It doesn’t have to take long, and it doesn’t need to be complicated to work. But it is an excellent way to take care of your mind and body.

Oil your hair

Taking good care of your hair is one of the most rewarding self-care activities you can do. Why? Because healthy hair just looks and feels so good! Again, you don’t need to visit the hair salon several times a month or pay a lot for hair care products to take good care of your hair.

Oiling your hair is a quick and simple way to practice self-care and work on achieving a stunning head of locks. Using a good quality hair oil that’s packed with nutrients can feed your roots and scalp, combat hair loss, and help you grow thicker, fuller hair. Sounds like a dream come true to us!

Hair oiling is a great activity to do with your friends or loved ones to grow a stronger bond with them, much like you may have seen in the popular Netflix series Bridgerton.