8 Small Self-Care Practices That Will Get You Big Results

Drawing upon Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science known as the “sacred knowledge of life," build a blueprint for your busy day to make sure your self-care makes it to the top of your to-do list with these self-care practices.

Your wellness matters more than anything you do today. Plan your day accordingly.

I was on a quest to find the optimal schedule as a busy mom. That's when I realized that when I structured my day around wellness, I felt better and had more energy to do all the things.

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Drawing upon Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science known as the “sacred knowledge of life”) and everything I have learned about wellness as a yoga teacher since 2011, and writer and avid reader of wellness content, here are 8 small self-care practices that will get you big results.

1. Get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep, which means an early bedtime. Aim to be in bed by 10 p.m. The sleep you get before midnight is the most restorative.

2. Wake up by 6 a.m. This is the time of day when the earth and your house are still and quiet (unless, of course, your toddler wakes up when the birds start chirping before 5 a.m. as was my case for many years).

3. Meditate just after waking to start your day grounded and centered. Try this 1-minute meditation for busy moms before you even open your bedroom door. Because you know once you open that door, the likelihood you'll meditate today will shrink.

4. Get moving in the morning for at least 30 minutes. This could be a walk outdoors, exercise app or an at-home yoga practice. Just don’t put it off until later in the day because by then, it's too easy to skip.

5. Eat breakfast between 7 and 9 a.m. and make it the second largest meal of the day. You need just enough fuel to power you through until lunch.

6. Break for lunch between noon and 2 p.m., which is when digestion and the sun are at their strongest. Make lunch your largest meal of the day. Your body will have plenty of time to digest it as you move about your day.

7. Eat dinner—your smallest meal of the day—between 5 and 7 p.m. The idea is to eat a small meal so your body can work on restoring and resting and not digesting at night while you sleep.

8. Journal about your day and read something that inspires you just before bed. Make your bed a screen-free zone.

Practice It: Design Your Ideal Day

Write out your ideal day that includes these self-care practices and anything else you know will bring you wellness and joy for your mind, body and spirit.

Note that this website is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine or wellness plan.