Last year around this time I published a blog called:

“20 Ridiculously Simple Ways to Live Longer and Better”

The list was inspired by a reader who asked about my self-care habits.

While back then I focused on the things I did now and then, today I’m making a list of the daily habits that allow me to live an emotionally and physically healthy life.

Here’s what I do pretty much every day.  When I don’t, I never beat myself up, though. That would be bad self-care .

• Upon waking, I spend five minutes stretching my body before I get out of bed.  I also set an intention for the day (be more courageous, have fun, be open-minded, finish my to-do list, etc.).
• Drink water – half my body weight (in ounces).
• Refuse to rush (still a tough one for me).
• Drink a cup of green tea.
• Look for one thing in nature that astonishes me (this one’s easy).
• Feed the birds.
• Find one way to relax my standards and let good enough be good enough.
• Smile (I remind myself to do this at random times throughout the day and it’s amazing how it instantly shifts my mood).
• Move my body (non-negotiable at this point in my life).
• Give away one thing I no longer love or need (this is fun, try it!).
• Eat vegetables and protein.
• Go to bed close to the same time every night.
• Leave my phone out of the bedroom.
• Surprise someone (this could be as simple as holding the door for a stranger, leaving a Grace Card for a server at a restaurant, or contacting someone from my online community).
• Keep a fresh flower close by.
• Help someone.
• Listen to a beautiful piece of music.
• Meditate, even if it’s for five minutes.
• When brushing my teeth, I make a point to look into my eyes and say, “I love you, sweetheart” in the most tender-loving way. (If this sounds corny, you probably really need to do it ).
• Laugh.  A lot.  (Fortunately, I married a man who makes this one easy).

Okay, your turn.  I’d love to hear about the self-care habits you do every day.

xo Cheryl

P.S. – The “Self Care by the Sea” retreat is sold out.  You can be put on the wait list for October here, and you’ll be the first to know when registration opens.

P.P.S. – I’ll be speaking about Waking Up in Winter: In Search of What Really Matters at Midlife, at the New England Mobile Book Fair in Newton, MA this Thursday (3/22) at 6pm.  You can learn more here.

P.P.S. – This week’s Facebook Live session will be held on Tuesday at 6pm EST/3pm PST.  You can join me on my Facebook Page here.  And you can watch previous sessions on my YouTube channel at CherylRichardsonTV here.

Need a little Divine Direction? Use the “Touch of Grace” button on our homepage here.