Life can be pretty stressful, and you have probably heard that it’s important to work on self-care. As runners we tend to push ourselves every day and once in awhile we need to relax and just unwind. Here are 15 simple ways to care for yourself, which can be especially useful during challenging times.
While running is one of my tools for taking care of myself, it’s not always the most relaxing activity. I like to balance those harder workouts with other self-care strategies depending on how I am feeling. Throughout the day I can’t just walk out the door and go for a run. However, I can usually find a few minutes to do one of these other self-care activities.
1. Take a bath
To be honest, this is not something I do regularly anymore. I do find them to be very relaxing, especially on a rest day after a hard run or workout!
2. Meditate
A few years ago during Lent instead of giving something up I committed to meditating every day. I used the Calm app but there are many more out there. I was able to get Headspace for free after taking a Mindfulness training at work, and they offer a 2 week free trial. You may need to test out a few apps to see what you like best.
3. Deep Breathing
I find it easier to focus on deep breathing than to meditate, although the two can go hand in hand. This can be as simple as spending a few seconds breathing in, holding it for a few seconds, and slowly breathing out.
4. Yoga
When using yoga to relax (rather than as a workout) I like to keep my sessions short and very easy. I also think it’s important to have a good teacher who is calming and says just enough. You don’t necessarily need to follow a video either. You could just get on your mat (or on the floor) and do a few poses.
5. Massage
Massages can be so relaxing and beneficial, but can also be expensive. Maybe you can spend some time with a foam roller. Or recruit a significant other or child to give you a back rub or foot rub.
6. Alone time
If you are around other people alot it can be important to get a few minutes to yourself. Especially if you have kids that are very needy. Try to take a few minutes to yourself. You can do one of the other activities on this list, or just do nothing.
7. Journal
Take a few minutes to write down how you are feeling. Even if you don’t journal regularly, writing can be therapeutic and can help you process your emotions.
8. Take a Walk
Going for a walk can let you get some fresh air and sunshine. You might see kids riding bikes, other people walking around, and more. Just try to take it all in!
9. Indulge
Have a glass of wine, a bowl of ice cream, some homemade cookies, or whatever hits the spot for you.
10. Spa Day
Even if you can’t go to the spa right now, you can do some things at home like giving yourself a pedicure or a facial.
11. Nap
If you have a few extra minutes, catch up on some sleep!
12. Shopping
Try to shop from small businesses when you can!
13. Spring Cleaning
If you are really starting to get bored, you can do some spring cleaning! It’s always a good feeling to do some deep cleaning and organizing.
14. Disconnect
Step away from the phone and computer! It can be easy to spend way too much time on social media. If you need to distract yourself from the electronics you can try one of the other activities on this list.
15. Charity
Helping others can make you feel better, plus it’s doing good for the community!
Hopefully this gives you some ideas for ways to can take care of yourself during challenging times! Remember that no matter what your situation is, you always have the right to feel however we are feeling. Taking care of yourself will allow you to take care of others.
You may also like:
Running For Stress Relief During Times of Uncertainty
5 Ways For Runners To Relax (Plus a Visualization Exercise)
Running 6 Miles, Getting a Bike, and Celebrating an Engagement
Just Keep Running
How do you take care of yourself during challenging times?
What is your favorite self-care strategy?
A useful list, thank you!
I love going out for a walk with my husband, especially now in springtime. I also journal every day, which has proved more useful than I thought. I started it in January 2019, so now I can go back and look at what was going on in my life a year ago. It’s fun! I wish I had started doing that earlier in life.
That’s great! I have tried journaling a few times but I just don’t keep up with it. I actually used to be much better at it when I was younger!
I need to make self-care more of a priority. I have been indulging in a beer or glass of wine most night. Maybe I should try meditating or journaling. This is a thorough list, thank you!
I’ve been having a drink most nights too. It gives me something to look forward to and helps me relax. It’s tough to make self-care a priority, especially when you have a little one to take care of!
I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for a few years. For Lent, I’m writing three things, every night, that I’ve been thankful for on each day. Honestly, I have not been feeling as much anxiety or fear as most people, and I think the gratitude thing has been key for me.
Oh that’s great! So glad its working for you. My anxiety comes and goes based on alot of different factors. I just try to do what I can to manage it as it happens.
Taking afternoon walks has been extremely helpful to me. I am listening to books on tape while I walk and it kind of takes my mind off of things for a few minutes. Thanks for the ideas
Oh thats a great ideas for your walks! Anything to take our minds off everything that is going on.
These are all awesome tips. I am desperate for some alone time, especially now that we are doing distance learning. I like to sit with little man since he is on the computer and I want to make sure he’s on track (Internet Safety First!). And I am indulging like crazy. I had all but stopped drinking, but I am now having a glass of wine every other night or so. Oops.
I am grateful for my blog more than ever because it keeps me writing. I may have five whole days of content this week!
I have enjoyed blogging lately as it takes my mind off everything else, but I just don’t have as much time as I would like to spend on it. Alone time is hard to come by!
Taking “me” time is so important. We’ve kind of settled in to a pattern of doing family activities, such as game night or movie night, and then small group things (one on one time with the kids or just kids/just adults time) and then “fend for yourself” nights where everyone does their own thing. Although we pretty much cook all of our meals at home, we’re designating one night a week as “take out” night to support our restaurants. I plan to get sushi this Friday as a reward for the kids for their first full week of online school and then take out from my husband’s favorite restaurant next week.
That all sounds great! Its nice to do something special once in awhile, even if its something small like getting take out.
Such a useful list–we’re not OD’ing on each other over here, but the anxiety level is definitely high. I baked cookies yesterday–a rare thing for me, because I don’t want to overdo the sugar. Talk about an indulgence! They hit the spot, tho.
Tough times for sure. Thanks for all these great ideas!
I’ve been tempted to bake but I just haven’t had the time! Glad you enjoyed your cookies. Its a good time to indulge a little.
These are all great ideas. I really need my alone time! I try to disappear into the back of the house at least once a day for a while. Sometimes I’ll take a nap but I just mostly need to feel alone for a little while.
I totally understand! Its weird to never have alone time anymore. At least when I used to go to work I would have a few minutes alone in the car lol!
Great list.
I am definitely connected all day to my computer for work do I do disconnect in the evening.
Maybe drinking wine more often than usual…but hey I deserve it.
I am committed to talking a walk at lunch…no matter what and driving somewhere after work just to get out of the house. Then I either run or walk.
My big races may have been cancelled but I am still training for them and running them virtually…makes me feel better.
Keeping up with training is great! It helps to have something to focus on.
One thing I definitely need to do better at is disconnecting. I teach, so students always “need” me, and I feel like I have FOMO on my phone… Gonna start putting it in airplane mode and hiding it…
Working from home makes it feel like you always need to be connected. Its so hard to step away!
To go with spa day and you bath line item – this is totally the time to get some bath treats. Whether full body or even just a feet soak. Pedicure has always been a monthly spend for me and I wondered at times why I didn’t DIY as I’m not a mani person. I learned yesterday that the $25 is money well spent. I am letting my toes breathe from color for a bit though.
I miss NY nail salons! A mani/pedi here is so much more expensive and they’re usually not as good!
Great post Lisa. I agree with you that running may not always be the most relaxing activity. One of my favorite things on your list, which feeds into others, is alone time. I find it necessary to get some time to myself to just be aware and be appreciative of the positives in my life. Indulging in a nice whiskey cocktail from time to time isn’t bad either! Keep up the great work.