Treat Yourself

Self-Care in Seattle Southside

"Self-Care" is a huge buzzword these days, but finding true rest and relaxation is easier said than done. Planning what to do to unwind can ironically feel like yet another task on your list, and there are so many distractions pulling our attention. Our suggestion? Book yourself a night or two at a hotel (party of one!) so you're only accountable to yourself, and you can truly tune in to what makes you feel recharged and fulfilled.

Below are some ideas for what to do on your self-care day. Get a spa treatment, stroll through a tranquil botanical garden, browse a bookstore, or treat yourself to your favorite sweet indulgence. Everyone deserves to take themself on a date once in a while!

The 5 Easiest Self-Care Tips in Seattle Southside

Take a Brief Break

Treat Your Tastebuds

Get Moving

Pamper Yourself

Get Some Quality "Me" Time

A 3-Stop Itinerary

Take a Brief Break

This is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest way to treat yourself: set aside five to ten minutes just for you. Step away from your desk, out of the house, or away from whatever it is you're doing and take some time to breathe deeply and simply be present. Don't doomscroll on your phone or check your emails, either - this is time to just focus on you. Getting away from your normal spaces and preferably out into nature is one of the best ways to take a break for your mind and body.

Strolling and breathing in fresh air may be just the reset you need. There are a ton of beatuiful trails to enjoy in the area, and the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a free way to take in some beautiful plant life or find your zen at the Seike Memorial Garden. Ideally, you can take more time for yourself — later we'll get to what you can do if you have days, potentially, to do just that — but even just a five to ten minute brain break will help you feel renewed and better able to face the day.

Treat Your Tastebuds

This one's easy, but can feel a little bit naughty. You deserve a treat! Whether that takes the form of a sweet treat (we have some of the best desserts around, and a huge variety to boot!) or comfort food, sometimes a flavorful reward is exactly what you need to brighten your day. Your tasty treat need not be guilt-inducing, though — sometimes the best comfort is simply in eating a delicious, hearty meal. A warm bowl of soup, for example, or a global taste that might remind you of home or an amazing vacation you once took could be all that you need to be mentally transported to a better place. Indulgence doesn't need to be guilt-inducing to get you feeling good, but it sure is a tasty bit of fun.

Get Moving

It may seem a bit counter to relaxation to encourage you to move, but even a leisurely stroll can help release endorphins in your brain and get you feeling good. For those with a more active lifestyle, a workout may be just what you need to help you get your groove back. If you're not normally a very active person, a simple walk along the beach may be just what you need. Or, if you want to relieve some stress and get a bit of a workout in, join a boxing class at Mayweather Fitness and pretend that punching bag is your obnoxious ex. If you're feeling adventurous, take one of the trails we mentioned above and go for a long hike, or use one of the local biking trails to get out on your bicycle.

Are you a bit of an adrenaline fiend? Try skydiving without jumping out of an airplane at iFly Indoor Skydiving! Your heart will be pounding, plus you won't need to worry about working a parachte. Need to game-ify your workout to motivate yourself? A round of virtual laser tag at Dimension XR takes place in three dimensions with real-life movement, making this virtual experience a real workout! Any way you can get some blood flowing will help you get some endorphins pumping and improve your mood. Just remember if you aren't feeling up to full activity not to beat yourself up too much — nobody's ever shamed themselves into having a good time, and the whole point of this exercise is to help you have the best time possible.

Pamper Yourself

The Spa at Cedarbrook is a true retreat from the everyday. This luxury spa offers massages, skin treatments, manicures, and pedicures with a focus on eco-friendly products. Plus, the spa is located on the lush grounds of Cedarbrook Lodge, so you can enjoy a walk through the garden after your treatment.

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Tukwila is another great option where you can choose from various types of masssages such as Swedish, deep tissue, and prenatal. Skincare options include tons of different options, including facials, dermaplaning, and peels.

If you want to feel glammed up, book an appointment at Gene Juarez Salon and get an expert haircut or blowout.

Get Some Quality "Me" Time

Sometimes the most difficult asset to have enough of is time. That's why spending time on yourself seems like such an intense luxury that many of us feel we can't afford. But just like they tell you on the airplane in the safety speech before takeoff, you have to put your own oxygen mask on before assisting someone else. That is to say: You need to help yourself before you can really help anybody else. So it's worth taking some time to really get to know you. Make it a habit to take some time away for yourself. Start small, with a few minutes here or there as mentioned at the start of this article, but work your way up to taking more time for yourself. Take the time to relax for yourself. Go to Barnes & Noble or Half Price Books and pick up something to read, even if it feels frivolous and indulgent. It doesn't have to be high-brow reading to make for high-quality time with yourself.

You may even want to take a few days just for you: even if you can't totally get away, a staycation of sorts is a perfect way to focus on yourself without the distractions of home, work, and everyday life.

A Mini Self-Care Itinerary

Want to make planning your Self-Care Day extra easy? Follow this itinerary, created with local creator and flight attendant Rosie Tran, which includes a stop at a charming bookstore, a lunch of hot, comforting ramen, and a soothing facial.