Top Five/Bottom Five posts always seem to generate lots of fun discussion and I needed something a bit lighter than yesterday’s topic.
I had a hard time concretely defining the parameters, but I’m thinking of things one would do almost-daily (if not daily) to promote health and wellness of a mental and physical variety. There will be overlap between hygiene and self-care, but allow the line to be as wide and blurry as you see fit!
MY TOP FIVE SELF-CARE ROUTINES
- Flossing. I know this will end up in the bottom five for some people (many people?) but I find flossing to be immensely satisfying.
- Sleep. I love sleep. Especially when I’m physically and mentally at the stage of tiredness where I fall asleep quickly, but it’s not a feverish/exhausted sleep. Being overtired is the worst. Being perfectly tired – in an I’ll-fall-asleep-one-minute-after-my-head-touches-the-pillow state – is the best.
- Showering. I love hot water. It has very little to do with getting clean and almost everything to do with being warm.
- Eating. This is BASIC self-care and I am here for it.
- Making my bed. This one might fall outside the realm of self-care/hygiene, but it is something I do daily, never struggle to remember, and it gives me a sense of accomplishment. Plus, the sight of an unmade bed makes me borderline nauseous.
MY BOTTOM FIVE SELF-CARE ROUTINES
- Doing my hair. Blah. I hate it all. I hate washing hair. I hate blow-drying hair. I hate styling my hair.
- Shaving my legs. I hate the feel of fuzzy legs, but even though I rarely cut myself I still find shaving to be the absolute biggest nuisance.
- Washing my face. If you’ve read this blog for more than one day you likely know how much I hate washing my face. So much hatred.
- Brushing my teeth. I like flossing, but brushing takes too long. BORING.
- Putting on makeup. I feel so much better when I have at least a little bit of makeup on but even my 3-minute minimalist routine feels cumbersome.
Bonus dislikes:
- Exercise. I do it because it’s good for me and there are elements I can enjoy, but if I could snap my fingers and have all the benefits of exercise and not actually have to move a muscle, I would…Getting from Point A to Point B is fine, but exercising for my overall health is a drag for me.
- Washing sheets/remaking beds with clean bedding. Does this fit under hygiene or household chores? Wherever it fits, I despise this responsibility.
Your turn. Top Five/Bottom Five basic hygiene/self-care routines? Do you make your bed every morning? Baths or showers – and how many times a week? How often do you floss your teeth? Do you exercise because you want to or because you know you should?
Header photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash
Marcia from OrganisingQueen
Top Five/Bottom Five basic hygiene/self-care routines? Do you make your bed every morning? Baths or showers – and how many times a week? How often do you floss your teeth? Do you exercise because you want to or because you know you should?
Top 5 basic hygiene/ Self-care
1. sleep
2. exercise (my trick is Zumba because I love dance and music)
3. reading
4. tidying my bedroom (outer order, inner calm)
5. showering – about 6/7 days – if I have no exercise AND it’s cold, I can skip a day maybe once a week. It’s summer here 9 months of the year, so this is rare. Hello from hot-as-hell South Africa.
6. getting dressed to make-up 7 days a week. I like feeling put together and “ready for the day”
Bottom 5
1. getting my hair coloured on a schedule (I do it but it’s usually 2 weeks overdue by that point)
2. too much instagram.
3. eating well only 70 – 80% of the time
4. flossing – ha. I floss when food gets stuck otherwise almost never. I do, like you, find it very satisfying when I do.
5. making my bed (my son makes our bed). Interestingly I don’t mind making my kids’ beds (I don’t but I will occasionally if I want to do it “pretty”)
Elisabeth
Ohhh, reading. Love this. Definitely an act of self-care, but it would never have cross my mind to include in this list!
I love feeling put together, I just don’t like the activities I need to go through to get there…haha.
Lindsay
Showers, for sure! (I used to be a bath person, but then a podcaster I listen to regularly compared it to sitting in you soup and now I just can’t…). I floss Tues/Thurs/Sat. I used to exercise both because it was good for me and because it made me feel so strong and confident to get through some of the workouts at the class I attended for a decade (“wow, I did that?!!”); but, now that I am starting over, I exercise because I know I should with the hope I can get back to enjoying it.
Top 5: warm showers, sleep, a walk in the woods, eating real meals, saying no to too many plans; Bottom 5: changing bedsheets, doing my hair, making regular health appointments, choosing vegetables, warming up/cooling down after exercise
Elisabeth
YES! Like dirty soup. It’s how a bath makes me feel, too. I am very anti-bath!
I love that you have a flossing schedule. That is TOO FUNNY!
I just don’t warm up/cool down. Oops. It doesn’t fall in my bottom five because I skip it which is clearly a DEMERIT!
Jenny
Ha, this is funny because this morning I shaved my legs and was thinking the whole time about how I DON’T enjoy it! Making matters worse, it was combined with another un-favorite activity, showering. I know it’s weird, but showering is just annoying. I have to get all wet! And then I have to dry myself off! It takes so long! Grr. I actually do like baths, but I kind of agree with Lindsay above- I like the feel of a hot bath, but then I feel like I need to rinse myself off afterwards.
I like brushing and flossing, and I’m going to put NAPS in my top five for sure. I mean I like sleeping in general, but nighttime sleeping can be so complicated. Sometimes I can’t fall asleep- sometimes I wake up to go to the bathroom and can’t fall back asleep- then I’m too hot, then my feet are too cold… etc. Naps are nice and simple.
Elisabeth
I do hate the drying off bit of the shower, but the hot water feels so good I can endure the good with the bad.
Naps! Yay. You are a champion napper and this year in my attempt at “Shmita” I’m leaning into more naps. And you’re right that naps feel much less pressurized than nighttime sleep.
Karen A.
Top Five:
1. Walking. I consider getting a walk basic self-care for me–I do have an exercise bike for inclement weather days, and I do feel good after exercise, but walking is top-tier for me.
2. Showering. I take a short bath at night, but really like a shower in the morning.
3. Eating healthy food. I recently developed nut and dairy allergies, which has forced me to revamp my diet a lot, and I feel so much better!
4. Washing my face, putting on moisturizer. If I’ve forgotten my face wash for the shower it doesn’t feel like I’ve completely showered!
5. SLEEP. I make a point of settling into bed with a cup of tea and a good book at least an hour before bedtime.
Bottom Five:
1. Flossing. Ugh. I know I should, and I feel better when I do, I’m just very slack about it and I don’t know why.
2. Brushing teeth. It’s so BORING. I’m very lucky that I was blessed with good dental genes, and have had only two small cavities in my entire life, because I’m sure I hardly ever hit the full 2 minutes of brushing.
3. Foot care. I would like to just forget about my feet, as I’ve had so many annoying issues with them. But I guess once in a while we have to tend to the toenails and other gross things about them.
4. Too much social media/phone scrolling.
5. Impulse shopping.
Elisabeth
Of all forms of exercise, walking is definitely my favourite. In general if I’m walking with someone (and especially if no hills are involved) I enjoy it, but most other forms of exercise feel like work to me.
You drink tea in bed?! At night? I would need approximately a bajillion trips to the bathroom overnight if I did that.
Brushing teeth is SO boring, right?
Ernie
I am with you on sleep. Love sleep. Hate when it doesn’t happen or is interrupted.
I also love exercise. It clears my head and makes me feel good, so I keep it up.
Walks – just walking, especially with Coach, to chat, not as exercise is a great way to regroup. I don’t do this in freezing weather.
Eating healthy. I like to eat – and I love a good healthy meal. I like it more when someone else prepares food for me, but this is rare.
I shower daily, wash my hair every 3rd day. I love a nice hot shower. Baths – nope. Never.
I do not like makeup. I don’t know how to use most makeup products.
I hate changing sheets.
I hate flossing, but I’m crazy about floss sticks – flossing on the go.
I do not enjoy caring for nails. Toenails especially, but I find nail care annoying.
I don’t mind doing laundry, but I hate putting laundry away and sorting socks. Does that count? So mundane.
Elisabeth
Someone else preparing food is one of the best things ever. Full stop. Bonus if it’s good food. But just about anything tastes good if I had zero effort involved…
I’m also anti-bath.
You must have a lot of laundry!!!
NGS
Hmmmm…
Top Five
Showering, sleeping, putting on makeup, removing makeup, walking with my dog
Bottom Five
Everything after showing (it’s so cold! I hate putting on lotion!), exercising, doing things with nails (the cutting, the buffing, the painting – ugh – enough already), dealing with the eczema on my hands (see above re: lotion), meditation
I am neutral on eating. I like to eat, of course, but I basically don’t like all the things AROUND eating (thinking about what to eat, making it, cleaning up after it). If I could just have a personal chef, this would maybe get into the top five.
Elisabeth
Wait – you LIKE putting on makeup. AND taking it off. I am so astonished by this I don’t now where to start.
A personal chef is like my dream.
Grateful Kae
I love showers but wish I could fast forward after to just being completely ready. I don’t really mind standing and slowly putting on lotion and makeup etc when I have lots of free time, but many days I feel like it all just takes too long. Actually I just wish I were apparently more naturally beautiful and could just shake the water off after my shower, put clothes on and look amazing. Ha. But that is not the case here. And my hair really “needs” to be blow dried at least part way to look half decent- the little side part bang thing I have needs a hairdryer for sure. And most of the rest of my hair greatly benefits from a hairdryer + some product as well.
Same for washing my face at night. I like it when I do it early enough/ have a lot of time. But when I wait until right before bed (which is what I usually do…), it just feels like a huge chore. I just want to get into bed already!!
Elisabeth
Yes. I LOVE the act of showering, but hate drying off, getting dressed again (unless it’s straight into PJs) and hate doing my hair. But the showering part I love.
I hate washing my face. The only way it’s even quasi-tolerable is if I wash it in the shower. It’s ridiculous I hate it this much because I literally own no face wash. I just use water + a microfiber makeup removal cloth and then sometimes – not always – moisturize with a bit of coconut oil. And this still feels like too much work. I am so lazy.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie
Let’s see:
– flossing – I do it but I don’t care for it one way or the other
– sleep – YESSSSSSSSSSSS
– showers – yay! Long hot showers are my favorite
– eating – much yay!
– making the bed – the ultimate self care luxury. It’s in my husband’s bottom 5 so there is a little tension.
– doing my hair – meh
– shaving my legs – it’s fine, I like it more than flossing but it’s definitely not on the favorites list
– washing my face – it might not be in the top 5, but it’s up there
– brushing my teeth – I like the after effects
– makeup – totally overrated. I would never have guessed that the pandemic would practically end my makeup use
– exercise – a must. Right behind sleep and eating
– changing the sheets – I like the results but I don’t care for the process
Elisabeth
Long hot showers are the bomb.
I laughed out loud at your “there is a little tension.” Hahaha!
You like shaving more than flossing?
Another person who likes washing their face? How?! Am I doing it all wrong to hate it so much?
Sophie
I’m with you on washing my face- hate it- it’s the water running down my arms and my neck as I rinse off that I hate! Also I hate changing sheets too- our weekly cleaner now does this and it makes me SO happy!
My top 5 would be showering, sleeping, putting on moisturiser, eating of course, and walking out in nature (that’s my exercise and meditation all in one!)
Elisabeth
I know you can buy special wrist guards (kinda like sweatbands) that catch the water, but I think I’d still hate it. But I also don’t like the sensation of my face getting wet (unless I’m fully submerged for things like swimming).
Nicole MacPherson
Hmmm. I don’t think I have a bottom five! I will have to give this more thought. Oh, maybe strength training. I do it 4x a week and I do it ONLY because I don’t want to “get the osteo” as my boys say. I find it boring. I guess…that’s it? I guess I just love my self-care/ hygiene/ give me all the makeup and I will wear it routines.
Elisabeth
This makes me so happy (and not overly surprised) that you love self care/hygiene routines!!!
Michelle G.
Your list and everyone’s comments made me smile. We all love and hate such different things!
I love showers! I love flossing and brushing my teeth, and I love washing my face! Baths are not my thing.
I don’t like makeup because I’m allergic to about everything. But I do love lipstick, and I have a bunch of them. I love picking out a color for the day.
Changing the sheets is a drag. Nail care is a drag.
Fun topic, Elisabeth!
Elisabeth
I never wear lipstick (except as my “blush.”) But I feel like lipstick is VERY in and I’m…lagging behind on this trend.
I question how baths can be anyone’s thing…but they are!? I hate bathing. Showers all the way.
Erica
– Exercise is my number one. I mean, it makes you feel good AND it’s good for you?! Double win. And if you are on a treadmill or something you can relax and watch junk TV while still feeling virtuous. Also (usually) nobody talks to you or touches you while you are doing it, and after certain types of days (read: snow days home alone with little kids) that is super important.
– Reading is life.
– Showering. So warm and nice! Also top 5! I don’t even mind shaving my legs because it’s an excuse to stay in a few more minutes.
– Maybe I need more self-care associated with my appearance? I’ve never been into nails or makeup or anything like that; it doesn’t bother me to perform a certain amount of minimal upkeep, but I don’t enjoy or derive satisfaction from making my lips and nail beds a brighter pink.
– I do not like sleep, and I’m not good at it.
– Eating is definitely in my bottom five. Not because I don’t enjoy food, but because – and I guess this is sad – it doesn’t feel like self-care. There is so much work involved: shopping and planning and cooking and avoiding waste. There is the incongruence between what I want to eat and what is good for me, which can lead to feelings of deprivation or guilt, and all the body issues that are also food issues. Plus there is the food that must be bought and prepped and served to other people, and presented to them in a way that will encourage them to eat healthfully without giving them body or food issues. I realize all this is necessary but it does not feel like self-care in the same way that a nice restorative run or shower or reading session does.
Elisabeth
Fair points – food prep is a lot of work and can feel like a complete and utter chore.
I have tried to pair the treadmill with screens and it just doesn’t do it for me. Sigh. I wish it did because this feels like the perfect way to kill two proverbial birds with one stone.
Diane
Oh what an interesting idea… I didn’t know that I was allowed to have favorites :).
It reminds me of a line in the book Fleishman is In Trouble, when the main character, in response to his therapist saying he should get curtains in his new apartment as an act of self care, he says that real self care would be to save the money and just move into a better apartment.
Anyhow…
Top:
-Reading/writing/journaling.
-meal planning and cooking healthy food. I like eating too, but I *really* like the planning and cooking.
-Sleeping in, though this is rarely done.
– talking to friends.
-planning my day
Bottom:
-showering. I know. I just find it tedious to have to get undressed, get all wet, dry off, put clothes back on again. And then my hair is still wet. Seems like a lot of work.
-getting dressed. ditto to the above. tedious. I could live in my pjs/sweats all day.
-going to bed. ditto to the above. Anything that involves transition, I think, is pretty onerous in my book.
-Making doctor’s appointments.
Elisabeth
Here, you may have favourites!!!
Reading. What a great one!!!
I’m astonished you like meal planning and cooking even more than eating. When can you move into my house. You plan and cook and I’ll eat – haha.
I like lounging in bed even more than sleeping in. So I’m awake but don’t have to get up. It feels so decadent and, admittedly, is finally happening again on weekends now that the kids are getting older.
Anything that involves organizing appointments is the pits. I also would gladly live in PJs and/or sweats almost all the days of my life.
Ally Bean
Top 5:
Brushing and flossing daily
Stretching my joints
Taking a multiple vitamin
Showers
Sunblock on my face
Bottom 5:
Making doctor’s appointments
Getting my hair cut
Shaving my legs
Deciding which shade of foundation will look natural [as if]
Changing the sheets on the bed
Elisabeth
I HATE putting on sunscreen. Funny you should mention it. One of my most loathed tasks.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE getting my hair cut.
We can agree on the rest of your bottom 5, though!
Lisa's Yarns
Hmm this is tough to think about because there are things I am good at that I don’t necessarily enjoy? Like I am good at being disciplined about bedtimes but I don’t like sleeping? It’s necessary but if I could take a pill to replace/lower my sleep needs, I totally would. Or I should say a pill that is legal!! I am never the last person out of bed so I do not make our bed and Phil finds it unnecessary, so our bed is not made and I’ve had to just accept that.
Self-care I don’t mind/do consistently:
– Sleep ( but don’t love it)
– Exercising (don’t do it as often as I would like but I enjoy running and lifting weights – I can’t say I enjoy the 3/12/30 workout, though. That is something I do because it’s effective. But I am watching the clock to see when I am done and the last 2-3 minutes feel like they last about 10 minutes)
– Putting on sunscreen
– Meal prep/cooking
– reading!!
Self-care I don’t like at all, but sometimes still do:
– showering – I like the shower aspect but hate being wet. So it’s great until I step out of the shower.
– make-up. I only wear it when I go into the office
– hair. I hate blow drying my hair! I will be happy when it’s warmer again and I can wear my hair curly. Objectively, I look better with blow dried hair but it is so much work.
– nail care – I just plain do not do it. I do not get manicures/pedicures or paint my own nails.’
– flossing/tooth brushing. I do these things but I don’t enjoy them at all.
Elisabeth
It shocks me – SHOCKS ME – that Phil isn’t a bedmaker!!!
NGS
Okay, it won’t let me respond to you in the thread, but let me explain myself to you re: enjoying putting on makeup and taking it off. I put it on in the morning and I’m all new day! look how great I look! this is going to be awesome! But by the end of the day I’m all why do I look like a raccoon? no wonder I look so scary on Zoom calls! I need to take this off and to bed! They’re both great, but in very different ways.
Elisabeth
Fair enough – I like the LOOK of makeup, but don’t like applying it and taking it off requires getting my face wet which is boderline torturous for me because I’m weird like that…
Suzanne
I hate showering and I hate washing my hair and styling my hair. I do like my hair being dry and straight, though, and there’s only one (free) way to achieve that. But I do it as infrequently as possible. I mean, I shower daily (UGH) but I wash my hair once or twice a week.
I hate flossing. HATE. I don’t mind brushing my teeth, though. I have been combining some stretches/calf raises with my teeth brushing and that helps it go by faster. I hate removing my makeup. I shave my legs every single day because I cannot stand the slightest prickle. But the act of shaving is not my favorite.
I LOVE sleeping, eating, and reading. I also love exercising, although sometimes my slothful side wins out. I love my morning tea.
Elisabeth
I hate the prickles too, but not as much as I dislike regular shaving, so I probably only do it once a week in winter and twice a week in summer. Not “enough” but as much as I can tolerate…
Stephany
TEAM BATH!!!!!!!! Let me luxuriate in my own “you soup”!!!!
Top 5: doing my skincare routine, sleep/naps, reading, taking baths, and brushing my teeth
Bottom 5: showering (ugh, the PROCESS), doing my hair, eating (such a bother), flossing, and going for walks
I use a washcloth for my skincare routine – I am not about that whole splashing water on my face life. I get the washcloth super-duper hot under the water and it feels SO GOOD rubbing a hot towel around my face.
Elisabeth
I know you’re Team Bath and I’ve given up trying to understand the why and how. Blergh.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Ohhh this is tough. Can’t answer completely.
But sleeping is high on the list especially when it’s good sleep.
Not a fan of brushing teeth. I agree boring.
Anne
Top 5? Flossing, for sure. Cleaning, particularly the bathroom. I’ll also agree to making the bed. Not making it gives me the heebie-jeebies. Showers – hot, always, even in summer. Reading, too.
Bottom 5? Eating. Doing anything with my hair. Wearing makeup. Getting anything like a massage – erk, people touching me. And sleeping. Sigh.
Elisabeth
I like tidying but cleaning the bathroom is DEFINITELY not in my Top 5!
I love eating and I LOVE massages. Like LOVE massages. If I could have a massage every day until I die that would be #TheDream.