I started Well Rested Massage because I was burnt out and didn’t have a place to recover, so I created one. I’m passionate about massage therapy and wish everyone could experience its healing benefits. But I also understand it’s not realistic for most people to get a massage every day—some can only come a few times a year, while others can’t come at all. While I believe massage is an amazing form of self-care, I also know it’s not the only one.
If massage is your main self-care practice but you can’t do it daily (and honestly, who can?), it may not be enough by itself. Self-care is most effective when practiced daily, even if it’s something small.
Anyone else feel overwhelmed by the idea of daily self-care? Raise your hand! I know I do, and my job is literally about self-care!
Here’s the truth: I can be a bit all-or-nothing. I’ve been working on this trait for years, but it’s hard to change! Just because my job is about self-care doesn’t mean I’m naturally good at it. If I can’t do a perfect morning routine—with meditation, a long hot bath, a nutritious breakfast, a two-hour yoga class where I nail every move, and then an early bedtime—I tend to just do nothing. Then I wake up cranky, tired, and overwhelmed by my own plan, and the cycle repeats.
That’s where the SMART method can help. You might know the SMART acronym for goal setting, usually in the workplace, but it’s great for self-care too. It helps set you up for success instead of self-sabotage.
In case you’re not familiar, here’s what SMART stands for:
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Achievable
R - Relevant
T - Time-Bound
Here’s how to set a SMART self-care goal. This example may not be perfect for everyone, but it’s a starting point.
Start with something specific. “I want to be more relaxed” is a nice idea, but what does relaxing mean to you? If you’re stuck, AI tools like ChatGPT (not sponsored) can help brainstorm ideas—just type “list ways to relax,” and you’ll get some suggestions.
Pick something that feels achievable and enjoyable. If you want to like yoga but don’t, choose something else. You’re more likely to stick with it if it truly interests you.
For this example, let’s say you want to start meditating to help you relax. Here’s how it could look as a SMART goal:
Specific: Practice mindfulness meditation.
Measurable: Meditate for 10 minutes per session, three times a week.
Achievable: This is manageable within a busy schedule.
Relevant: Meditation supports relaxation by reducing stress and boosting mental clarity.
Time-bound: Commit to one month to see how it impacts your well-being without feeling overwhelming.
By setting goals this way, self-care becomes a lot less intimidating and much more doable.
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