How to Practice Self-Care

Winter is an important season - a time to go within, to plant seeds, and prepare for future growth. So rather than become restless after this long, heavy year, we’re finding small ways to use this time to hit reset.

And while you’re surely already familiar with self-care, it’s helpful to come back to the heart of the concept. At its core, self-care is not indulgence for the sake of it, but rather about creating patterns and habits that support your whole self. Whether this means being gentle with yourself, setting boundaries, or maintaining a positive inner voice, self-care is really about meeting yourself where you are.

Below, a list of ideas to help support, and reward you, in that pursuit.

Be kind to your heart. A diet that is brimming with superfoods is one simple way to support a healthy body and a healthy heart. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to up your intake.

• Power up with Omega-3 fatty acids, the good fats that can help reduce bad cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels. We love the Overnight Oats from GGET LA. Between the Coconut milk, oats, chia pudding, sunflower seed butter, seeded granola and pomegranate, this snack packs a potent punch.

• Mix it up with matcha, which is rich in polyphenol compounds called catechins, a powerful antioxidant. The Blueberry Matcha Latte from Café Dulce is among the most exciting flavor profiles in the city.

Get lost in a good book. With so much talk about the benefits of reduced screen time, you’d think it would be easier to simply step away, wouldn’t you? Picking up a piece of physical reading material is almost guaranteed to leave you feeling more calm and focused than resorting to the endless scroll. If you need a place to start, check out this year’s top lists from Bookshop.org) and other  favorite local bookstores, or immerse yourself in a fun, new find: Creative Spaces.

Try a new healing modality. Even if you haven’t sustained any actual desk-related injuries this year, all those hours of sitting and compression are no joke. Acupressure therapy is not only helpful in relieving tension, but it can promote the body's production of endorphins, too, which in turn improves the circulatory system to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissue, thus promoting faster healing. Acupressure therapy and other services are offered by Bartholomew Method.

A walk will still do you good. Perhaps not since the Victorian era has “going for a brisk walk” been as hot an activity as it was in 2020. And still, there’s no better way to boost your energy, clear your mind, and take care of your body than going for a stroll around your neighborhood, including here at ROW anytime you’re in need of an inspiring change of scenery.

Do something nice, just for yourself. Soothe yourself with simple pleasures. Beautifying your space with flowers can easily lift your mood and foster creativity. Arrange your own wildflowers or pick out a vibrant bouquet from Boy Who Cried Flowers.

When in doubt, take a bath. In her article The Age of Bathfluence: Rachel Syme writes, “a person in the tub is someone who has slowed down long enough to stew for a few minutes with themselves.” Soak, linger, and let go,

• Cleanse and brighten any space with Bodha smokeless ritual incense from LCD.
• Fill your space with a beautiful therapeutic blend of wild geranium, lavender flowers and Californian sage. Perfect for rising in the morning or unwinding in the evening. Add a few drops to an oil diffuser, bath, or shower, or apply to wrists and inhale deeply.

No matter what method you choose, just remember: the more you are able to take time out to nurture your mind, body, and whole self, the more in control and prepared you’ll feel to handle the rest of all life’s responsibilities, however challenging they might be.