Self-care
isn’t
just
about
face
masks
and
bubble
baths
(though,
let’s
be
honest,
those
are
great
too).
It’s
about
finding
ways
to
feel
good
in
your
body,
mind,
and
soul.
For
me,
fitness
has
become
a
cornerstone
of
my
self-care
routine,
but
it
wasn’t
always
easy.
There
were
days
when
exercise
felt
like
a
chore,
something
I
had
to
do
rather
than
something
I
wanted
to
do.
Sound
familiar?
Well.
time
to
change!
It
doesn’t
have
to
be
boring
or
painful!
Here’s
how
I’ve
turned
moving
my
body
into
one
of
my
favorite
forms
of
self-care.
Begin
with
Small
Steps,
Aim
for
Big
Goals
Fitness
as
selfcare,
Infographic
If
you’re
like
me,
you
might
feel
overwhelmed
by
all
the
fitness
advice
out
there.
The
trick?
Start
small.
Don’t
worry
about
crushing
a
marathon
or
lifting
insane
weights
right
away.
Some
of
my
happiest
moments
came
from
walking
around
my
neighborhood,
and
listening
to
my
favorite
playlist.
A
simple
10-minute
walk
can
be
more
impactful
than
you
think,
especially
if
it’s
something
you
can
commit
to
regularly.
Use
my
playlist
for
motivation!
A
Few
Ideas
to
Start:
Short
walks:
10
minutes
can
do
wonders.
I
started
with
a
lap
around
the
block
and
gradually
increased
my
distance.
Dance
breaks:
Blast
your
favorite
song
and
just
move.
Bonus
points
if
no
one’s
watching
and
you
can
let
loose!
Stretching:
Roll
out
a
mat
and
spend
a
few
minutes
stretching.
It’s
a
great
way
to
feel
connected
to
your
muscles
without
breaking
a
sweat.
Cute
workout
gear:
It’s
silly,
but
wearing
something
I
love
boosts
my
confidence
and
makes
me
want
to
move.
A
fresh
pair
of
leggings
or
some
other
piece
of
workout
clothes
for
women
can
do
wonders
for
your
mood.
Once
you
start
seeing
those
tiny
wins,
you’ll
naturally
want
to
do
more.
Find
What
Feels
Good
(and
Fun!)
The
key
is
finding
activities
that
bring
a
smile
to
your
face.
Not
everyone
loves
jogging
or
hitting
the
gym,
and
that’s
okay.
The
key
is
finding
activities
that
bring
a
smile
to
your
face.
For
me,
yoga
became
a
game-changer.
It
felt
less
like
exercise
and
more
like
an
act
of
kindness
toward
my
body.
If
yoga
isn’t
your
thing,
maybe
dancing,
hiking,
or
swimming
will
be.
-
Try
Group
classes:
Zumba,
spin,
or
kickboxing—anything
that
combines
movement
with
good
vibes.
The
energy
of
a
room
full
of
people
moving
together
is
infectious. -
Go
On
Outdoor
Adventures:
Hiking,
biking,
or
even
rollerblading
can
feel
like
playtime.
Plus,
being
outdoors
adds
the
benefit
of
fresh
air
and
a
change
of
scenery. -
Play
Sports:
Join
a
local
team
or
start
a
casual
game
with
friends.
Activities
like
volleyball
or
tennis
can
feel
more
like
social
outings
than
workouts.
My
Experience:
The
moment
I
stopped
forcing
myself
to
do
exercises
I
hated,
I
noticed
a
shift.
Suddenly,
I
was
looking
forward
to
moving
because
it
felt
like
a
treat
rather
than
a
task.
You
might
have
to
try
a
few
activities
before
you
find
your
perfect
fit,
but
the
journey
is
part
of
the
fun.
Make
It
Social
(If
You
Want)
Some
people
love
the
solitude
of
a
workout,
and
that’s
totally
valid.
But
if
you
thrive
in
social
settings,
bringing
others
into
your
fitness
journey
can
make
it
even
more
enjoyable.
It’s
amazing
how
much
accountability
and
encouragement
can
come
from
having
a
workout
buddy.
I
once
joined
a
weekend
yoga
class
with
a
friend,
and
it
quickly
became
something
I
looked
forward
to.
The
laughter
we
shared
over
awkward
poses
made
it
all
the
better.
Accountability
buddies
or
workout
groups
can
make
staying
active
a
lot
more
fun.
Even
a
quick
phone
check-in
with
a
friend
can
help
you
stay
consistent.
Turn
Fitness
Into
“Me
Time”
I’ve
found
that
exercise
can
be
my
escape
from
the
noisy
world.
It’s
the
time
I
set
aside
just
for
myself
–
to
disconnect,
recharge,
and
breathe.
It’s
a
time
when
I
don’t
have
to
answer
emails,
respond
to
texts,
or
think
about
to-do
lists.
Tips
for
Making
Fitness
Your
Escape:
Use
it
to
disconnect:
Put
your
phone
on
silent,
and
focus
on
the
movement.
The
quiet
can
be
surprisingly
refreshing.
Pair
it
with
something
enjoyable:
Listen
to
an
audiobook,
a
favorite
podcast,
or
calming
music
while
you
move.
I
often
feel
like
I’m
indulging
in
two
forms
of
self-care
at
once.
Treat
it
like
an
appointment:
Block
time
in
your
schedule,
and
make
it
non-negotiable.
You
wouldn’t
skip
a
doctor’s
appointment—why
skip
this?
When
you
shift
your
mindset
to
view
fitness
as
self-care,
it
stops
feeling
like
an
obligation
and
starts
feeling
like
a
gift
you
give
yourself.
Celebrate
Every
Win
Progress
looks
different
for
everyone.
I
used
to
get
caught
up
in
the
idea
of
needing
to
see
dramatic
results
fast,
but
honestly,
the
small
wins
are
what
keep
me
going.
Feeling
less
out
of
breath
after
a
workout?
That’s
progress.
Finally
being
able
to
touch
your
toes?
Huge
win.
Write
down
or
mentally
note
your
victories.
Even
the
smallest
achievements
are
worth
celebrating.
Over
time,
those
little
wins
add
up
to
big
changes,
and
you’ll
be
amazed
at
how
far
you’ve
come.
Incorporate
Variety
Mix
things
up
keeps
it
fresh
and
exciting.
I
love
alternating
between
activities:
yoga
one
day,
a
brisk
walk
the
next,
and
maybe
a
dance
class
on
the
weekend.
Variety
not
only
keeps
me
interested
but
also
works
different
parts
of
my
body.
Try
Something
New
Each
Month
New
classes,
apps,
or
fitness
challenges.
Sometimes
trying
something
unfamiliar
can
feel
like
an
adventure.
-
Try
Seasonal
Activities:
Swim
in
summer,
ski
in
winter,
or
rake
leaves
in
fall
(yes,
that
counts
as
exercise!).
Seasonal
changes
can
inspire
you
to
explore
new
ways
of
moving. -
Switch
Environments:
Indoors,
outdoors,
home
workouts,
or
studio
classes.
A
change
of
scenery
can
make
a
world
of
difference
for
your
motivation. -
Create
a
Mood-Boosting
Atmosphere:
Sometimes,
the
secret
to
making
exercise
fun
is
in
the
details.
A
good
playlist,
the
right
outfit,
or
even
scented
candles
can
make
a
workout
feel
special.
I
like
to
create
a
vibe
that
motivates
me—think
energizing
music
and
comfy
clothes
that
make
me
feel
good.
Investing
in
small
things
like
colorful
yoga
mats
or
a
pair
of
supportive
sneakers
can
transform
your
attitude
toward
fitness.
When
the
environment
feels
inviting,
it’s
easier
to
step
into
it
with
excitement.
Be
Kind
to
Yourself
Let’s
get
real:
there
are
days
when
getting
off
the
couch
feels
impossible.
That’s
okay.
Self-care
isn’t
about
perfection;
it’s
about
consistency
and
compassion.
On
those
low-energy
days,
I
remind
myself
that
rest
is
just
as
important.
Skipping
a
workout
doesn’t
erase
all
the
progress
you’ve
made—it’s
just
part
of
being
human.
When
I
honor
what
my
body
needs,
I
always
feel
better
in
the
long
run.
Give
yourself
grace!
My
Favorite
Tools
and
Tricks
Over
the
years,
I’ve
discovered
little
hacks
that
make
fitness
more
enjoyable
for
me.
Here
are
a
few
you
might
like:
-
Fitness
apps:
I’m
obsessed
with
apps
that
gamify
exercise.
They
make
me
feel
like
I’m
leveling
up!
Some
even
have
challenges
or
communities
for
extra
motivation. -
Rewards:
After
a
good
workout,
I
treat
myself—maybe
a
smoothie,
an
extra-long
shower,
or
an
episode
of
my
favorite
show.
It’s
a
small
way
to
reinforce
the
habit.
Remember,
It’s
About
Feeling
Good
The
goal
isn’t
to
punish
your
body
or
chase
unattainable
standards.
Fitness,
when
approached
as
part
of
self-care,
is
about
feeling
strong,
energized,
and
happy.
It’s
about
tuning
into
what
makes
your
body
feel
alive
and
your
spirit
feel
uplifted.
So,
lace
up
your
sneakers
(or
don’t—barefoot
yoga,
anyone?),
and
make
fitness
something
you
genuinely
enjoy.