Self-care and self-love are essential for maintaining physical and emotional well-being, especially during the winter when it is easy to feel low on energy and motivation. One way we recommend and practice self-care during this time of year is massage. Massage can help relax and soothe sore muscles, improve circulation, and reduce stress and tension. It can also be a great way to take some time for yourself and show yourself some love and kindness.
In addition to massage, there are many other ways to practice self-care and show yourself some love during the winter months. We held a 14-Day Self-Love Challenge on our Instagram and Facebook at the beginning of this month. While the challenge may be over, we would love to continue this ongoing journey with you. Post and share your self-love with us on Instagram or Facebook. We would love to cheer you on. Without further ado, here are 14 self-care challenges you should try!
1. Commit to self-care
Self-care is an important aspect of overall health and wellness. It’s great that you’re committed to prioritizing it! By committing and participating in the activities listed below, you are working toward making self-care a regular part of your routine.
2. Create affirmations for yourself
Taking care of yourself is essential and one of the best ways to do that is to create affirmations for yourself. Affirmations are powerful statements that can help you feel confident and focused. Using affirmations can help you achieve your goals, reframe negative thinking, and construct a more positive outlook on life. Some of our favorite affirmations and self-care advice come from author and wellness activist, Kris Carr. Check out her article on affirmations here.
Affirmations could be written down and posted in prominent places about your home, whether on post-it notes or in a diary. This helps you stay focused on your goals and enables you to be continually reminded of your affirmations. Speaking your affirmations in the present tense and concentrating on the good qualities of what you wish to accomplish are crucial. For instance, you could say “I am becoming more comfortable and tranquil each day” instead of “I will no longer be anxious.” (B, June 2021)
We love using InsightTimer app as a self-care tool. They offer many free affirmations, meditations, and yoga classes. Our favorite meditation is linked here.
Creating your own affirmations is a simple and powerful way to practice self-care and self-love. You can achieve your goals and make tremendous progress if you have the right mindset and attitude. Spend some time coming up with your own affirmations and watch your dreams become a reality!
3. Call a friend
Human beings are communal creatures. We can’t be left alone for too long before beginning to feel sad or uneasy. Staying in touch with friends is so important for this reason. Luckily, we live in an age of quickly reaching people with the click of a button. Regular phone calls help to maintain strong, meaningful relationships with your friends. They provide an opportunity for you to catch up and have deeper conversations, which can strengthen your bond and improve your friendship. Friends can also provide emotional support, especially during difficult times. Talking on the phone can help you feel more connected and less isolated, even when you’re physically apart. So make sure to take the time to call your friends regularly!
4. Take yourself on a date
Taking yourself on a date can be a great way to prioritize self-care and self-love. You don’t have to wait around for someone else to invite you places. You don’t have to feel like you can only have fun with other people. Taking yourself on a date can help you feel more confident and self-sufficient, and can also help you develop a strong sense of independence. So find some time to take yourself on a self-love date to do some of your favorite things.
5. Have a dance party in your room
Don’t be embarrassed! Everyone enjoys dancing, especially when there is no one around to judge. Find your favorite CD or pull up your favorite playlist and get groovy! Dance like no one is watching!
6. Compliment someone
Compliments play an important role in our relationships and can have a positive impact on both the giver and the receiver. They affect our own behavior and well-being, as well as the behavior and well-being of those around us. Whether it’s a simple “thank you” or a more specific compliment, taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate the positive qualities in others can go a long way in improving relationships and creating a more positive and supportive environment.
Here are some tips for giving more meaningful compliments:
- Focus on complimenting skills, personalities, character strengths, and behaviors over appearances.
- Emphasize the impact that someone has had on you. How have they made a difference in your life?
- Be genuine! People can usually tell when a compliment is coming from a place of obligation.
- Lastly, don’t be afraid to compliment strangers! Spread that love around!
7. Exercise
Exercise improves physical health, boosts self-esteem, and enhances sleep quality. Exercise has also been shown to build resilience and promote a growth mindset, helping you to cope with stress and adversity in a more positive and effective way. By prioritizing self-care through exercise, you are building resilience and a positive outlook on life.
8. Wear your favorite outfit, even if it’s a little out there
This part of the challenge seemed to be fun for some and difficult for others. There are several benefits of having a strong sense of style. When you are dressed in a way that reflects your personal style and individuality, you are more likely to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. This, in turn, can improve your body image. Finding your personal style can also help you to appreciate and celebrate your body shape and unique features, rather than focusing on what you don’t like. This can improve your body image and help you to feel more confident in yourself.
Maybe you haven’t found your personal style yet, or maybe fashion isn’t really your thing. Whatever experience you are having, try to make it a point within your self-care routines to find things that make you appreciate yourself and your body.
9. Eat your favorite meal
Eating your favorite meal could mean cooking your own meal, going to your favorite restaurant, or treating yourself to takeout. Are you the sort of person who loves the experience of making yourself a meal? Maybe you love the atmosphere of a certain restaurant. Or maybe you just really love food. Whatever you love about food and the activities surrounding it, take some time to interact with food in your favorite way!
Check out our favorite place to find new recipes, Conscious Cleanse. One of our favorite recipes is linked here.
10. Write a letter to your future self
Take some time and think about what you would like to say to your future self. Sometimes, finding good advice for your future self means communing with your past self. Healing is not linear. Writing a letter for a future version of you can be a fun way to meet at the cross-section of past, present, and future you!
11. Go for a walk in nature
If you are lucky enough to be in Jackson Hole or one of our surrounding National Parks like Yellowstone or Grand Teton, then you know how access to nature makes a difference in your day-to-day life. Nature provides numerous benefits including stress reduction, improved mood, immune system boost, greater physical activity, increased mindfulness and self-awareness, and improved sleep. However, many people can feel a deeper connection. Nature has a way of emphasizing the miracles of life and the interconnectedness of all things. Nature forces you to become conscious that you are a part of something bigger. By becoming aware of the ways in which everything is interconnected, you can learn to be more appreciative of the little things in your daily life.
12. Give yourself a massage
To give yourself a massage, start with a small amount of massage oil or lotion to help your hands glide over your skin more easily. Slowly massage the areas of your body that feel the most tense or sore, using firm but gentle pressure. You can also use circular motions, kneading, rocking, and tapping to relax and loosen the muscles further. Be sure to pay attention to your body and stop if you feel pain or discomfort.
We created a DIY massage video on our Instagram!
13. Take a relaxing bath
Draw yourself a bath. Experience everything from the sound of the flow of the water filling the tub, the feel of the warmth on your skin as tensions ease away, and the slowing of your heart rate as you relax.
14. Journal or list 14 things you love about yourself
Every book on self-love, self-care, and self-help seems to emphasize journaling. For someone who doesn’t write frequently, this may be unpleasant. Although journaling can be tremendously beneficial, if it is stressing you out with no benefit, consider writing lists instead. Some people are capable of writing 14 sentences, or even paragraphs, about themselves, but most of us lack the time or patience to do that. If you identify with this, we suggest creating lists instead. Similar information can be communicated in a less threatening manner. Take your time, pay attention to what you write, but don’t worry if you don’t precisely express your ideas. How you go about implementing these practices is irrelevant; what matters is that you experience the advantages. So feel free to journal, list, or write in whatever way feels best to you!
Remember, self-care is different for everyone, and it’s important to find what works best for you. Be kind to yourself and take the time to do things that bring you joy and relaxation. Some of the activities listed above will feel right, others won’t. You don’t have to do all of these self-care activities every week. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you skip a challenge or don’t have time for a certain activity. Think of this challenge as a test run to find what works best for you! The key is to be consistent and make self-care and self-love a priority in your life.
If you are coming across this blog after Valentine’s Day, no need to worry. This two-week challenge is appropriate all year round. Any time is a good time to start showing yourself a little more love.
Looking to treat yourself or a special someone? Consider a relaxing and rejuvenating experience with Jackson Hole Mobile Massage.
Resources
B, June. “Welcome a Brand New Day.” Insighttimer.com, Jan. 2021, insighttimer.com/jbinthesun. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
