“Self-Care” has become a bit of a buzzword, and I absolutely love that it has! It hasn’t always been a concept I have embraced, at least not without feeling guilty. Growing up in a conservative Christian home, I received a message that taking care of myself meant that I was being selfish. At least that’s how I interpreted it at the time. The religion held “selflessness” up on a pedestal - it was the holy grail; the ultimate goal to strive for. Since I’m not a natural people pleaser, I can’t say I ever completely strived for this goal, but I did feel guilty whenever I chose something for myself, especially if it was different than what someone else wanted.

In college, as I read more, lived away from home and was surrounded with new people, new thoughts and new environments, I started to challenge some of my beliefs. For the first time, I read about “self-care” and how it was a positive, healthy thing. Long story short, I have embraced the journey of self-care ever since. Especially as a therapist, mom, and just human in the world who cares deeply for and about others, I now view self-care as necessary. I can’t love others well if I don’t first love and take care of myself.

Self-care is multi-pronged. It’s kind of like many peoples’ closets of shoes: you need several different pairs of shoes, for different occasions and expression (I’m not a shoe person, so in my case it would be fleece - I LOVE fleeces!). For those of us who live in San Luis Obispo, we are incredibly privileged to have so many self-care options easily (and several even affordably) accessible. Since this is a blog and not a research paper, I am not referencing the specific source for the benefits of certain habits I mention. You will have to believe me when I say that I have read or heard it on a podcast somewhere (and no, NOT on TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram).

Here are 6 ways you can practice self-care in San Luis Obispo (or nearby):

1. Walk on the beach.

There are so many ways to walk on the beach. Alone, with someone else, with shoes on, barefoot, while doing an active meditation, listening to a podcast or audiobook, or without listening to anything other than the waves and seagulls. One of my favorite ways of walking on the beach is barefooted. Feeling the soft, grainy, sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes wet, and sometimes dry, sand between my toes activates the sense of touch that feels grounding.

2. Trail therapy

San Luis Obispo County has tons of trails. Especially considering we’re a coastal County, I find it impressive and unique. We can go from a sandy ocean to a dusty trail with trees and rocks, sometimes within 5 minutes of each other. Similar to walking on the beach, there isn’t one way to enjoy trails. Hiking, running, and mountain biking…take your pick! (I actually do therapy on the trails while we hike, checkout the section on my website about Walk-and-Talk Therapy to learn more about that here. I’m in a season right now where mountain biking with friends is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the local trails, or hiking with my dog.

3. Journal

A journal is a place to offload, express, and/or organize thoughts and feelings.

There is no right way to journal. It can be whatever you need or want it to be. Draw, paint, sketch, write, collage…it’s all possible. You can even combine journaling with the trail or beach option by taking your journal with you to those places and journaling there. If you haven’t been able to tell already, being in nature is a happy place for me. Whenever possible, I try to combine nature with whatever “thing” I’m doing. Journaling is one of those “things.” If you prefer being in the comfort of your home, car, train, plane, bus, or coffee shop, journaling is a self-care outlet you can practice just about anywhere.

4. Take the plunge (a cold plunge, that is)!

There is a lot of recent research that shows the benefit soaking your body in cold water can have on your brain, specifically the neurotransmitter dopamine. Instead of a cup of coffee in the morning, take a cold shower, jump into the cold ocean, or you can even pay money and indulge in alternating a few minutes in the cold water with a few minutes in the infrared sauna (checkout the California Sauna Club in San Luis Obispo). Maybe not instead of a cup of coffee, you might want that after a soak. No need to give that up if it’s part of your self-care routine. 🙂 By activating dopamine, it helps to wake up your senses and can help to increase motivation and decrease depression. To be honest, being cold and cold water are some of my LEAST favorite things. I don’t ever feel like getting into cold water, but I have done it many times and I haven’t ever regretted it. It feels more like a discipline to take the plunge, knowing the benefit will be worth it. Our ocean water is so cold up here (I’m from Southern OC, so I’m used to warmer water) we have access to a free cold pool whenever we want.

5. Get a massage.

Massages are one of my most favorite things in life. I love trying new kinds of massage. It’s something I try to do wherever I travel. I have experienced several different kinds, from a Turkish Bath in Istanbul, a Thai massage in Hawaii and El Salvador (ironically, I’ve never been to Thailand but someday if I make it there, I will definitely get a massage!), to an Active Release and barefoot massage here in SLO. The body, mind, and soul are all interconnected so massage helps to physically release the emotions I hold in my body. The Chinese Foot Spas in SLO are awesome and are the most affordable with several other gifted massage therapists trained in different approaches as well. Even if it’s once a month or only on special occasions, it’s one of my favorite ways to pamper myself.

6. Talk Therapy

I am obviously biased with this one. 🙂 Therapy can be an incredible way to take care of yourself. It’s an investment of time, energy, and finances and is a gift that keeps on giving. Research shows the most important factor for talk therapy to be effective is the client therapist relationship. You don’t connect with everyone in the real world so you won’t connect with every therapist. It’s super important to find a therapist you feel that connection with. Contact me here and let’s start the conversation to see if I might be a good fit for you. If I’m not, I would be happy to provide some referrals for other therapists in the area who might be.

There are so many other ways you can practice self-care. These are a few of my favorite that are accessible here in San Luis Obispo. Get creative and have fun figuring out what yours are.

6 Powerful Ways to Practice Self-Care in San Luis Obispo