Trending Now! How Today's Couples Are Taking Self Care to a New Level
It’s almost impossible these days to open Instagram or log on to Facebook without seeing the words self-care on every influencer’s story, every caption, and nearly every ad. Why? Because we’re smack dab in the middle of a wellness revolution. Everyone from brands to media outlets to consumers is responding to the increased demand in everything that is good-for-you, good-for-mental-health, and overall-beneficial for your spiritual, physical, and existential self.
While the marketing blitz might feel overwhelming, the grassroots core of this initiative is a very big step in the right direction. And given many people’s criticisms of social media for representing unrealistic standards… it is actually the perfect platform for this new trend. Instead of seeing the ‘perfect life’ of many Instagram elite, it’s now en vogue to show the more… realistic… side of the daily grind. The BTS instead of just the final shot. And in tandem with this resurgence of self-care, self-love, and self-compassion - your social feed just became a much healthier, more uplifting space to spend your precious free time.
Now, you may be wondering: Where do relationships fit in self-care? By definition, it seems like a solo activity. And that’s partly true. Never underestimate the power of a moment - or an hour - alone. Maybe just to enjoy the quiet, or take a bubble bath without being disturbed, but also because it’s important to remember that you and your partner are two individual people, with different interests, passions, and hobbies, who are in a relationship together. It’s essential to nurture yourself with self-care! But, it’s equally as important to invest the time and resources into self-care for your relationship.
Need to hit the reset button? Want to reconnect again? Craving some quality time with your partner? Here are some great ways to practice self-care with your partner:
Meditate Together
Not only is this a great opportunity to sync up and get on the same wavelength, it’s awesome for accountability. It’s hard to ignore the facts when it comes to the numerous benefits of meditation, but most people can’t find the time to make it a consistent practice. That could all change if you and your partner held each other accountable with a time, place, and meditation buddy. Get your zen on.
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Unplug
In this day and age, simply turning off your phone can feel like an act of rebellion - or even better, like a luxury vacation. Spending some time, even if it’s just an hour a night, without screens or distractions, will give you and your partner time to focus on each other, connect, and get creative…
Set Goals
Novelty activates parts of our brains that help us become energized, focused, and happy. If you and your partner always talked about learning a language but never prioritized it, why not jump into some online learning or quizzing each other over vocabulary? You could also try a new sport or creative outlet like pottery or painting. If cultural challenges aren’t your thing, make it physical. Set a goal (maybe an amount you want to bench press, or being able to touch your toes) and have your partner set one for themselves too. Then carve out time for regular exercise, or take turns leading workouts, until you can high-five each other about accomplishing what you set out to do.
Reconnect With Nature
Just 20 minutes a day is shown to extend our lifespan and improve our happiness, so there’s no reason we’re not devoting a half hour a day to spending time in the great outdoors. If you and your partner have a backyard, enjoy your dinner al fresco a couple of times a week. Over the weekends, look up new hiking trails you’ve never tried before or bike to scenic lookout points. And for the everyday, an after-dinner walk in the neighborhood is a great time to talk about your day (and maybe sneak a glass of wine into a plastic cup!).
Hopefully you and your partner can use these suggestions to practice self-care - not only on yourselves - but on each other, too. The essence of self-care isn’t about expense or luxury, it’s about investment. If you invest in yourself, you feel more confident. If you invest in your relationship, you feel stronger, happier, and more connected.
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