Treat Yourself

Self-Care in Seattle Southside

"Self-Care" is a huge buzzword these days, but who really has time for all that? Well, you do, as it turns out!

No matter who you are or how busy you are, taking some time out of every day for yourself has immense benefits for your mental and physical health. Even if you're worried about spending too much time or money on yourself, there's lots of things you can do that don't cost too much in terms of time, money and effort. Besides, by making self-care a habit, you'll notice increased energy levels, improved focus, and better productivity. Ultimately, embracing self-care equips you to handle life's ups and downs with resilience and balance, ensuring a healthier and happier you. And what better investment is there than that?

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

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

This is probably what most people think of when someone says "treat yourself" — a bit of pampering to help you feel like the royalty you are. The Spa at Cedarbrook is exactly that sort of retreat from the every day. Massages, skin treatments for the face and body, manicures, and pedicures are all on offer, plus seasonal spa specials. On top of all that, this spa is located on the grounds of the beautiful Cedarbrook Lodge. Not only will you get to have incredible spa treatments, but you can enjoy the beautiful ponds and private trails exclusive to this property. It's so serene that you'll forget just how close you are to everything!

You can also indulge in a day of shopping at Westfield Southcenter Mall, the largest indoor mall in the Pacific Northwest, which is perfect for a retail therapy session. After you've treated yourself to a present or two (or ten, you've earned it!), hit up nearby Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa for a treatment to help ease the strain from carrying all those bags of goodies around.

If you want a bit of style with your pampering, go for Gene Juarez Salon, where hair cuts, color, and styling are the main modes of treating yourself. But that's not all: facials, dermaplaning, and manicures/pedicures are also available. And gents, don't think you wouldn't be spoiled here, too! Get a shave and a haircut that will have you feeling clean, trimmed, and perfectly pampered.

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.