7 Easy Ways To Do Self-Care When You're Too Exhausted To Think About It

These mindfulness self-care tips can help you wind down or de-stress at the end of the day. When we're multitasking, it's difficult to be mindful as our attention span can only focus successfully on one thing at a time. These tips can also help you break the cycle of multitasking so that you're able to be more "in the moment" in your life.

For many of us, work means using a computer, so actively using our bodies helps us wind down. If you work a physically demanding job, then maybe you find balance by sitting down for a while and watching a program or listening to music.

You don't need to walk for an hour or do a full yoga practice. Moving the body for a few minutes—one or two yoga poses—can get the blood flowing and give your mind a break.

We spend all day making things happen, and one of my favorite ways to wind down is to sit in nature. I live in northern New Hampshire and recently watched a squirrel sneak away with a slice of pizza from the garbage, then use it like a sled as it scampered away down the snowy hill! Wildlife has a way of lifting my spirits. Pause and be still, and you'll be surprised at what you witness in even a short time.

Stimulating the senses can signal to our bodies that we're shifting our focus. Maybe you like to light a candle or put on music at the end of the day. Try using lemon balm essential oil (or any other scent you like) in a homemade spritzer with a bit of rosewater and rubbing alcohol. By spraying an essential oil, it releases a calming scent that immediately relaxes tension.

To make the Golden Milk, I start with coconut milk for richness and add a dash of molasses for the minerals. Knowing that every time I taste turmeric, it's offering me liver support, supporting my inflammatory response and overall just nourishing my body, it feels good to me. With each sip, I let go.

When you find yourself in those "waiting" moments in life (10 minutes sitting in the parking lot for school to let out, three minutes in line at the grocery store, 15 minutes in the waiting room at the doctor's office, etc.) consider how you are present in those moments. Instead of reaching for your phone to browse social media, perhaps you try listening to a podcast, reading a good book, or just being attentive to your surroundings by watching your breath. These pockets of mindfulness make it easier to ground and reconnect at the end of a long day.

Sometimes we struggle to relax because it feels like one more thing on the to-do list. Don't force it, and think about the amount of time you have and the energy you want to devote right now. Maybe tonight you unwind by letting the cat stay on your lap as long as she wants or cozying up on the couch sipping a delicious cup of Golden Milk. On Fridays, you might have time for a long walk, but during the week it might just be a few minutes of strolling through your garden. Build up a nice arsenal of things to choose from, and go with the flow!