5 Self Care Tips That Will Have You Living Your Best Life Every Day
It’s not often we can take a little time just for ourselves. But recently, I did just that by embarking on a wellness adventure in Malibu’s Calamigos Canyon. I did some rock ‘n’ roll flow with Vinnie Marino, restorative yoga with Amy Ippoliti, learned the basics of Ayurveda with Vivica Schwartz, got stylishly schooled on the upcoming trend forecast from the athleisure specialists at YogaOutlet, ate my weight in wood-fired pizza, made plenty of new friends, *and* learned some simple ways to better care for myself while navigating this often hectic and constantly changing world. Read on to find out a few basic steps that you can integrate into your life to keep you grounded and feeling better. Every. Single. Day.
1. Make more phone calls. There was a time, not so long ago, that we made phone calls when we wanted to talk to our peeps. Now, we lazily send and receive texts like it’s our job, feeling irritated if we’re not instantly texted back while also experiencing the uncomfortable pressure to text others as fast as possible. “Text messages are like unannounced guests,” says Ippoliti. “They show up without our permission and we are expected to return them STAT — regardless of what else may be going on.”
She suggests shifting away from texting all together and to instead start making regular — albeit short — phone calls. Hearing a loved one’s voice is surprisingly refreshing and it does away with all the text confusion regarding tone and meaning. So, next time you’re getting blown up by a bestie, Ippoliti recommends “try[ing] responding with ‘I’m open to short calls only’ and see how many people follow your lead.”
2. Pay attention to your constitution. We are all very different. What works for me may not work for you — and according to Schwartz, this applies to everything from diet to sleep to exercise. She recommends starting every day with a glass of warm water and lemon to jumpstart the body. Then really check in with yourself to find out what times of the day work best for different activities. For a more in-depth look at one of the world’s oldest medical systems and to find out which of the three main body types or Dosha you fit into (Vata, Kapha, or Dosha) Schwartz offers an Ayurveda assessment.
3. Be self-forgiving. Yoga is often referred to as a practice because that’s precisely what it is — a constant routine that requires maintenance and patience. Whether you download an app and start a six-minute everyday meditation practice, take a weekly yoga class, or start cooking better — you are integrating yoga into your life. And if you fall off the wellness wagon, it’s honestly no big deal. Forgive yourself, move on, and maybe pick up where you left off if it feels right. Or try something else entirely.
4. Share yourself. Replace texts with phone calls but don’t just stop there. In this tech-obsessed modern world, it’s dangerously easy to get glued to screens and miss what’s going on right here and right now. And when we fail to disconnect, we miss out on potentially amazing interactions with other humans. Try leaving your phone at home for an afternoon, don’t post anything on social media for an entire week (gasp!), and do your best to stay mindful in each moment that you come into contact with friends or strangers — you are beautiful and bright, and you have so much to offer!
5. Get comfortable. In your skin. At your desk. Swap in some ultra-comfy and stylish yoga clothes to your daily clothing rotation, and you’re sure to feel better starting from the outside in.
How do you practice daily mindfulness? Tweet and tell us @BritandCo.
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Illustration: Sarah Tate
