After what felt like one of the longest winters on record, spring has finally arrived. Along with the promised warmer weather, spring often signals a time of reset. An opportunity to clean out our closets not only in terms of our winter wardrobe, but also when it comes to our everyday habits and routines. As we settle into the spring season, there’s no better time to consider what your self-care routine looks like, or create a new one that fits our lifestyle. Here, health experts and life coaches share their best-kept tips for how to spring clean your own self-care routine.
If you’re someone who already has a self-care routine, you’re on the right track. A self-care routine essentially means a regimen that you practice consistently that involves caring for yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. This can look different for everyone.
“For one person, a self-care routine might include daily yoga or a gentle movement practice, whereas for someone else perhaps meditating or enjoying a hobby will be more impactful,” says Emily Shutt, PCC, WPCC, Certified Mindset Coach and Founder of Umoya Institute. “For others, self-care may be more community-based, like attending retreats, participating or spectating at sporting events, or joining a group or class to learn new skills.”
No matter what your self-care routine looks like, having one can seriously pay off. Incorporating a self-care routine can help you become more resilient and manage emotions and stress more effectively, according to Shutt. In her practice, she’s also seen clients experience an increase in overall life satisfaction even in the face of setbacks after cultivating a self-care routine. “It can seem daunting to set boundaries, make the time commitment and do the inner work required to cultivate a personalized and meaningful routine, but the benefits are well worth it,” she adds.
Take stock of your current self-care routine
The first step when it comes to spring-cleaning your self-care routine starts by analyzing your current routine. If you can’t think of anything you do consistently that truly nourishes you in some way, Shutt recommends brainstorming what would be meaningful for you. “If you have a routine you can clearly articulate, ask yourself if you like the results you’re getting from that routine,” she says. “Something that worked well for you in the past might not be as effective anymore, so truly ask yourself how you want to feel and work backwards from there.”
Experiment with different practices sans judgment
Don’t fall victim to whatever the latest celebrity or influencer is doing as part of their self-care routine. As Shutt puts it, you’re the expert in your own life, meaning no one but you should decide or define what best supports you. “Maybe you don’t really like getting your nails done, but you love getting blow-outs or you get bored in 90-minute yoga classes, but stretching or foam rolling for 20-30 minutes helps you feel better throughout the day,” she says.
“When we are rigid about the way something should look on the outside, or worried about what other people will think, we lose sight of the real goal of cultivating an authentic routine that helps us feel aligned and whole on the inside.”
Check-in with how you feel after doing a particular routine or habit
If something doesn’t bring you joy, make you feel relaxed or inspire you to be better, is it really worth keeping as part of your everyday routine? Lianna Nielsen, London-based integrative nutrition health coach, recommends spending a week or two really checking in with how you feel after each activity. “Get clear on why you are meditating, running, doing cold plunges etc. and paying attention to if you are getting the desired result,” she says. “If it doesn’t, give yourself permission to let it go and ask yourself what might be more beneficial.”
Remember to love yourself
“Most of us were not taught to love ourselves or what that means, but were instead taught to love and take care of others, to be responsible, organized and to get the job done,” says Aimee Bernstein, psychotherapist, mindfulness-in-action teacher, and author of Stress Less, Achieve More. Thus we give our power away by taking care of everything else before taking care of ourselves. When we reclaim ourselves we recognize that self- care is an act of self- love.
At the end of the day, your self-care routine will be personally tailored to you, meaning it shouldn’t look like anyone else’s. Also, the only surefire way to know it’s working is if you’re feeling better. “Creating an authentic self-care routine will require you to do that critical self-exploration to know who you are, what you like (and don’t), and who you want to become,” says Shutt. “Knowing all of that will allow you to show up more fully in every interaction, which deeply influences how you experience your life.”