Nine Ways to Be Good to Yourself Starting Today

At a time when it seems every day brings shocking news—from the devastating earthquake in Myanmar to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza—it can feel overwhelming. In a world that too often seems like it’s gone mad, it’s more important than ever to carve out safe spaces for yourself where you can recover your balance.

“Self-care” might seem like a buzzword because we hear it used so often. But the fact is that taking care of ourselves is the only way we are able to be any good for those we love—and that includes yourself. Staying focused on the present—being mindful—helps keep it from seeming as though the very cosmos is pig-piling on top of you.

You’ve heard it said that you have to love yourself before you can love someone else. Well, here are nine specific ways you can care for and love yourself:

1. Put aside the unhappy memories of the past and worries about what tomorrow “might” bring. You can’t do anything about the past except to learn whatever lessons it has to teach you. Focus on today. “Sufficient unto the day are the evils thereof,” as Scripture puts it.

2. Spend time outside. Whether in a park or a garden, in the woods or by the water, get out there and soak it in. Stop and smell the flowers—literally. Don’t just smell them, but look at them with curiosity and interest. Marvel at their beauty, their delicacy, their scent and color.

3. Engage in a hobby that makes you forget the time. Spend time doing something creative that you enjoy that isn’t about work. It may be crocheting, fishing, gardening, journaling, painting, playing music, woodworking—whatever you like doing where, while you’re doing it, you lose track of time because you are so absorbed by it.

4. Move! Engage in physical activities you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, dancing, hiking, working out at the gym, or simply walking outside. Loosening up your muscles is a great way to relieve stress and boost your mood.

5. Nourish your body. Prepare a healthy, balanced meal of foods that are good for you and make you feel good, too. Stay hydrated throughout the day.

And when you eat, savor your food instead of gobbling it down. Focus on the nuances of its flavor. Think about what went into growing or raising it. Appreciate the effort that went into preparing it, whether yours or someone else’s.

6. Feed your mind. Your mood and sense of well-being have a lot to do with how you fill your mind. Fill it with only images of anger, destruction, pain, and suffering, and you are going to have a hard time shaking the stress it engenders.

Consider reading the news rather than watching it on TV. Be selective about what you watch on TV and literally protect yourself against trauma by filtering what you let in.

7. Practice gratitude. Focusing on the positive things in your life for which you are grateful is a quick and effective way to shift your thinking away from things that cause you anxiety or make you feel depressed or despair. “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” as Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen put it in their Oscar-nominated 1944 song.

8. Help someone else. Nothing takes you out of your worries and regrets better than helping another person in some way. It might be helping to carry their groceries or reaching up in the grocery aisle to help someone retrieve an item too high up for them to reach. A welcoming smile that says, “I see you,” can brighten someone’s day and ease their way, too.

9. Develop a relaxing bedtime routine and get quality sleep. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a warm bath, or doing some light stretching, prepare your body and mind for rest. Your body—especially your brain—needs sleep to “clean house” and recharge your mind and energy.

None of these things costs any money, yet each one is a valuable investment in your own health and well-being. And they will pay dividends that will continue to reward you richly for your efforts.