My favorite things…
This post is a living list of self-care habits that help me take care of my body and mind. It is not medical advice, and it is not meant to work the same way for everyone. Self-care is personal. What helps one person may not help another, and some changes take time before you feel better. I will keep updating this list as I learn more and notice what truly helps my body over time.
Calm App
I have used the Calm app for years, back when it was still free. I keep using it now because the guided meditations and music help my body slow down. I don’t use it perfectly or every day, but it is one of the tools that helps calm my nervous system when I need support.
Brick Device
I tried using the screen time limits on my phone, but they didn’t work for me. I would just hit “15 more minutes” and keep scrolling. The Brick device works because it makes me stop and think. To unlock my phone, I have to physically get up and tap it on the Brick. I keep it upstairs, so it takes effort. This pause matters. It is honestly the only thing that has worked for me, and my life is better because of it.
Mostly Quitting Social Media
I did not quit social media all at once. I started small. I deleted the apps from my phone but still allowed myself to use social media on my computer or iPad. This helped me avoid going cold turkey. What surprised me was that scrolling on those devices feels different. I didn’t stay on as long, and over time I became less interested.
I still sometimes log in through a website, but social media is designed to work best as an app, so it doesn’t pull me in the same way. When I notice old habits coming back, I use the Brick again. Creating small barriers has helped me change my behavior without relying on willpower.
Having an Online Trainer
I work with an online trainer, and she costs about the same as an unlimited yoga pass at a local studio. For me, this has been worth it. Having someone to talk to about what’s working and what’s not takes a lot of stress out of working out. She is supportive, encouraging, and consistent.
The biggest benefit is that I don’t have to plan anything. I just show up and follow along. That removes the mental load, which is often the hardest part. My biggest gains from working out are mental, not physical. I almost always feel mentally better afterward. That is a goal I can meet every time, even when physical goals feel harder or slower.
Nails as “Nail Therapy”
I started getting my nails done because I am a picker. I know this won’t work for everyone, and some people can’t do it because of their job. But for me, it has helped more than anything else.
I joke with my nail tech and call it “nail therapy.” Keeping my cuticles clean and my nails in a long almond shape makes picking much harder. Recently, I added paraffin wax to my nail routine. I noticed that when my cuticles are dry, I pick more. The extra moisture really helps.
I never thought I would be someone who gets their nails done regularly. But it feels good not to have sore, bleeding cuticles. This is one of those self-care choices that looks small but has made a real difference in my daily comfort.
Yoga (Especially at Home)
I have practiced yoga on and off for over 25 years, and over time, I’ve learned how to enjoy a home practice. I really like the Down Dog app because no two classes are the same. I can choose how long I want to practice and what parts of my body I want to focus on, depending on how I feel that day.
I always feel better when I do yoga. Even when my practice is not as regular as I would like, it still helps. I often use yoga on days when I’m tired and don’t want a high-energy workout. Sometimes my goal is just to lie on the floor, stretch, and breathe. Yoga gives me a way to move my body gently while still calming my mind.
For me, yoga is not about pushing harder. It’s about listening to my body and giving it what it needs in that moment.