Self-care is a necessity for everyone at any age. It’s so important to take time for yourself and focus on things you love doing just for fun. Here are some of my recent obsessions for those days I take just for myself!
- Face masks
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These can be an amazing way to have your skin feel smooth and soft in a matter of minutes. Always be sure to read reviews before buying them and only get ones that are safe for your skin type!
- Shower bombs
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If you don’t have access to a bathtub, shower bombs are an awesome way to get the same feeling and aroma as a bath bomb. So, how do they work? Drop one of the tablets into the bottom of your shower after turning the water on, and within a few seconds, you will smell the essential oils and scents filling your entire bathroom!
- Coffee breaks
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Don’t have time at night for yourself? More of a morning person? Take a few extra minutes to make that cup of coffee or spend a few dollars at your favorite cafe. Personally, I know coffee makes my mornings so much better and I feel a whole lot more ready to take on the day.
- Reading (and how to get into it)
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This has been one of the more difficult and time-consuming activities that I try to take for myself. I’ve kept a goal of trying to read a chapter before bed each night of my current book and it really makes me feel so relaxed and even more tired at night!
If you’re the type that’s not so interested in reading but really wants to get into it, here are my tips! Find your genre of book, whether it’s fiction, fantasy, romance, or poetry. There are so many options and books for any and every person. Then set a time each day to read one chapter and stick to that time. Mine is usually around 10 p.m. Lastly, find book recommendations! I love BookTok and reading The New York Times bestseller list.
- Making playlists
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Creating playlists to listen to while I walk through campus or workout is one of my favorite things to do. I have a playlist for almost every mood and even special nights such as girls nights or driving in my car. I also love listening to the UMass Amherst Her Campus Spotify to see everyone’s different music tastes!
- Exercising
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Even though this is a more known self-care tip, it’s one that is super important but a lot harder to commit to. For me, I know my playlists help and working out with a partner or group motivates me to stay connected. I love using the gym at UMass to do classes like yoga and spin because they’re so fun and you can bring friends!
- Arts & Crafts
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Creating projects and painting canvases is such a calming practice to me. I love painting and one of my most favorite (and affordable) things to do is to go to Michael’s. I head to their wooden section and pick out cute wood boxes, birdhouses, and other small crafts and paint them! They are only a few dollars and you get a cute item out of the activity!
- Cooking
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This used to be one of my least favorite things to do because it was so time-consuming and I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing. But this year, I started doing HelloFresh (totally not sponsored) and I honestly love cooking now. It’s so easy to follow along, and it motivates me to try foods outside of what I normally would eat. If you’re not too familiar with cooking or don’t enjoy it, I really recommend doing a food delivery service so you can learn to love it just like I did.
I hope these tips and hacks can help you as much as they help me! I know taking time for yourself can seem expensive and time-consuming, but I can promise you it doesn’t have to be. Treat yourself because you deserve it!
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