15 Simple Ways to Make 2019 the Year of Self-Care

Bubble baths are the ultimate symbol of self-care. In 2019, make an effort to take some time out of your week or month to relax with some bubbles in the tub — and maybe some bubbles in a glass — a rom-com streaming on your iPad, and a sheet mask on your face. The warm water and frothy bubbles are a great way to help you decompress and relieve some of your stress.

Like many other beauty-lovers I know, I'm partial to Lush bath products. Its Ariana Grande-inspired bath bomb is my new favorite. I also love adding sparkly bubbles with the Sunnyside bubble bar, and the Happy Thoughts bath oil leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.

Putting lotion on can become something of a ritual for you in the new year. Lathering yourself in a richly nourishing cream after you shower or before you sleep (or both) will not only make your skin supersoft, but will also give you some time to work exclusively on you.

I recommend the Tatcha Indigo Soothing Silk Body Butter. It's a little pricey, but the thick formula ensures that a little bit goes a long way, and my skin has never felt smoother.

If you're looking for ways to reduce your screen time in 2019, consider turning off your notifications. It reduces the temptation for you to pick up your phone, and makes you less conscious of whether your newest Instagram post is getting as many likes as you want it to.

I recently decided to go notification-less for all of my social media accounts, and I feel like my relationship with social media and my phone in general has gotten a lot healthier.

I feel like every time I get a massage — which is maybe twice a year if I'm lucky — it reminds me of why I need to get massages more often. Like other forms of therapy, massage therapy works better if you do it regularly. In 2019, try to get massages more often than you have in past years (even if it isn't even more frequent than every other month). Like facials, there are a ton of spas that offer massage memberships, so you can pay a discounted rate for the year and get an hour of relaxation every month.

You're probably used to going nonstop and never taking breaks. (I know firsthand — I was answering emails on Christmas Eve!) If you have trouble setting aside time every day to do something for yourself, then try to make 2019 the year when you give yourself a day or two off every month. You can work all day and night the rest of the month, but allowing yourself to have a "me day" will give you a break to look forward to, and will work wonders for your productivity.

From social media notifications to phone calls and emails to news updates, your phone is probably always in your hand so you can be in the loop on everything going on in your life and beyond. Though it's definitely helpful for you and your network when you're plugged in, constantly making yourself available can take a toll on your wellbeing.

Consider turning off your phone every once in a while, even if it's just for a couple hours or so on a Friday night so you can watch a movie. While it might be weird at first to not get a buzz every few minutes, you might find that you're more relaxed when people aren't blowing up your phone.

Who doesn't love yummy-smelling things all around their house? Aromatherapy can do anything from improving your mood to helping you relax, which makes it the ultimate self-care tool. Plus, a ton of aromatherapy products, like candles and diffusers, make for great decor. In 2019, try to improve the ambience of your space by incorporating aromatherapy into your home.

I've been on a recent aromatherapy kick myself; I can't seem to stop buying candles and incense. My current faves are Oribe's Côte d'Azur Incense, which is rich and smokey, making it great for waking up in the morning, and Diptyque's Jasmin Candle, which is light and floral, perfect for calming me while I'm working.

As time goes by, you might find yourself becoming more and more of a homebody — I know I am. Going out regularly can take a serious toll on your body (late nights, little sleep, and alcohol are not a fun mix the day after), so this year, allow yourself to say no to going out. It's always nice to catch up with your friends, but it's also important to block out some weekends for you to chill out.

Life is expensive. You have bills to pay and money might be tight, but make 2019 the year that you spend a little money on yourself. You don't have to go on a shopping spree every other week — or you can, I won't judge — but budgeting a little extra spending money every month can help make you feel great about yourself.

My rule is to allow myself one mini-splurge under $100 a month. I'll get a new pair of shoes or that foundation that I've been dying to try out, or I'll pay for extra nail art when I get a manicure. These little gifts to myself have worked wonders for my self esteem, and they have also given me something to look forward to every month.

Sometimes, taking care of yourself means allowing yourself to do the thing that you're maybe not supposed to. If one of your resolutions for 2019 was to eat healthier, also make it a point to give yourself some leeway. Rigidly restricting your diet can potentially lead to an unhealthy relationship with food, so if you want to eat that ice cream, go ahead.