How to Find Balance: Essential Everyday Self-Care Activities

There’s an art to taking care of yourself. Between knowing what to do, finding motivation, and making time - getting started can feel like a challenge in itself. But self-care is more than just a box to check off; it’s a way to reconnect with your body and mind, creating a sense of balance that permeates every day. In a world that pulls our attention in a thousand directions, self-care helps us rediscover moments of calm, no matter how busy our schedule. In this article, we’ll dive into the essence of self-care and offer practical activities tailored to fit various lifestyles and schedules. We'll also shine a light on fresh, expert-backed ideas that go beyond simply lighting a candle and hoping for the best. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that self-care nurtures well-being, and we’re here to support you with tips and insights to work for you every day.

What is Self-Care and Why is it Important?

Self-care is a broad concept that encompasses activities and practices that we undertake to maintain our physical, emotional and mental health. The term gained prominence in the 20th century but has roots in earlier wellness practices. Originally, self-care was about managing health and avoiding illness, but now it’s evolved into a holistic approach to living well. Today, it’s recognized as a crucial element of maintaining balance in our increasingly demanding lives.

Self-care is essential because it addresses the holistic needs of an individual. Holistic means looking at the whole picture as one - in this case, taking into consideration physical, emotional and mental well-being as interconnected components. Engaging in self-care activities can help to:

• Reduce Stress: Regular self-care practices can lower stress levels, promoting a more relaxed state of mind.
• Enhance Emotional Resilience: By nurturing your mental health, self-care fosters better emotional stability.
• Improve Physical Health: An active lifestyle and proper nutrition are foundational to self-care, impacting overall health and energy levels.

Did You Know? Five Facts About Self-Care

1. Self-care activities have been shown to improve sleep quality by up to 37%, promoting better overall health and cognitive function. Improving your sleep can have a profound impact on your physical and mental health.
2. Taking just 10 minutes a day for mindfulness can improve focus and mental clarity. Mindfulness practices, even brief ones, can enhance your ability to concentrate and stay present.
3. Physical touch, like massage, releases oxytocin, the ‘feel-good’ hormone. This hormone helps to reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness.
4. Exercise can increase endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Regular physical activity is linked to elevated levels of endorphins, helping to boost your mood and reduce feelings of stress.
5. Simple breathwork can reduce cortisol levels by up to 20%. Deep breathing exercises are effective in lowering cortisol, the hormone associated with stress.

Self-Care Activities for Busy Days: Quick and Easy Self-Care

Setting aside time for self-care in an already packed-out schedule can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be a three-day spa weekend. We’ve created our philosophy on the idea of small moments built into every day.

One-Minute Breathing Exercise: 

When time is tight, a simple one-minute breathing exercise can work wonders. This quick exercise can help reduce stress and bring a moment of calm into your hectic day.
1. Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and take deep, slow breaths. 
2. Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 
3. Repeat, picturing your lungs expanding out, up and down with each breath.

Stretching Routines

Incorporate gentle stretches into your daily routine, especially if you spend long hours at a desk. Simple foot stretches can alleviate tension and bring awareness to your body. Try this to help relieve muscle tension and improve circulation next time you’ve spent a day at your desk:
1. Sit comfortably and stretch your toes towards your body
2. Gently rotate your ankles in circles towards each other three times
3. Now rotate them away from each other and repeat as many times as you like.

Essential Oils

One of the reasons that we developed the BIRKENSTOCK Care Essentials routine with natural essential oils is that they can be so effective at restoring calm and focus to busy minds. 
1. Take a few deep breaths before beginning your routine.
2. Inhale deeply as you soak, exfoliate and massage, enjoying the scent of 100% natural essential oils.
3. Allow the scent to help you unwind and relax as you work through your self-care routine.

Self-Care Practices to Refresh and Recenter

​​When you have a bit more time to dedicate to self-care, indulging in longer-form practices can offer profound benefits. These activities provide opportunities to refresh your mind and body, promoting overall well-being and helping you reconnect with yourself.

Mindful Journaling

Mindful journaling is a powerful practice for unwinding and reflecting on your day. As a regular activity, it can help to unwind the mind and bring your focus back to yourself.

• Journaling doesn’t have to be writing - it could be voice recordings, drawings - whatever works for you.
• You might like to experiment with different times, to either set your intentions for the day ahead in the morning, or recap on the past 24 hours in the evening.
• It’s a great moment to check in and ask yourself how you’re feeling or what you feel grateful for in that moment.

At-Home Indulgence

Home is the perfect location to practice self-care, in the place we feel our most relaxed and ready to unwind. Try these ideas to deepen relaxation and help rejuvenate your body and mind.

• Add bath salts to a warm tub for a relaxing experience and let the day soak away.
•If you prefer self-massage, use our Relief Lotion or Comforting Dry Oil to gently massage areas of tension. 
• Take your time. These are moments to relax and let yourself truly unwind.

Nature Walks

Walking in nature is a refreshing way to reconnect with yourself and the environment. Whether you’re strolling through a city park or exploring a trail, being in nature can enhance your mood and reduce stress. 

• Choose a quiet place like a park or woodland, turn off your phone and remove your headphones to truly engage with your surroundings.
• Try Earthing. Also known as grounding, this involves removing your shoes to let your feet reconnect with the grass or earth below.
• You might like to try Walking Meditation - an active, mindful practice to reconnect body and mind.

What is Sensory Self-Care?

Sensory self-care involves engaging your senses - smell, touch, and sound - to help develop a full-body sense of care. It’s about focusing on sensory experiences to enrich your self-care routine.

Smell: Essential oils can play a significant role in sensory self-care. Inhaling these natural aromas can help soothe your mind and lift your spirits. 
• Try it at home: Take a moment during your self-care routine to breathe deeply and enjoy the effects of natural essential oils.

Touch: Tactile experiences are vital for relaxation. Our collection is designed with texture in mind, so every product feels incredible to use. 
• Try it at home: During a foot massage, focus on the sensation of the product on your skin and the relaxation it brings. Take your time with each step to fully appreciate the experience.

Sound: Listening to calming soundscapes or soothing music can enhance relaxation. 
• Try it at home: Try playing a sound bath meditation or your favorite calming tunes during your evening routine to create a peaceful atmosphere. Our curated playlists are also designed to complement your self-care practices.

How to Make Time for Self-Care When Life is Busy

Struggling to find space in your schedule is totally normal. With a little thought and focus, it’s possible to create space and help self-care to become a natural part of your daily rhythm. Here’s how you can make it fit into even the busiest of days. 
1. Combine Self-Care with Existing Routines: Try to integrate self-care into your daily activities. For example, use multi-tasking natural products with essential oils after your run, or engage in stretching while watching TV. This approach helps you maintain self-care without needing to find additional time.
2. Use Transitions Wisely: Utilize transitions in your day for self-care. A quick detour through a park on your commute or a moment of deep breathing during your lunch break can make a big difference. Listening to calming music during your train ride can also be a simple way to incorporate relaxation into your routine.
3. Prioritize Self-Care: Add self-care to your diary or planner like any other important task. Set mini-goals and reminders to create dedicated caring for what moves you. By treating it as a priority, you’ll be more likely to stick with it.

Small Self-Care Activities Can Make a Big Difference

Self-care is essential for maintaining overall well-being, no matter your location or lifestyle. Even small steps can lead to significant long-term benefits. Remember, the key is consistency and finding what works best for you. Do you have a top tip you’d love to share? Finding a great way to use BIRKENSTOCK Care Essentials to relax? Share your experiences and ideas with us @birkenstockcareessentials. Embrace self-care activities as a vital part of your daily life, and watch as they contribute to a more balanced and fulfilled you.