9 Self-Love Practices You Can Do in 5 Minutes or Less

This week, I’m not talking about chocolates, roses, or extra-fancy champagne bubble baths. I’m talking about my favourite quick and easy self-love practices.

Self-love is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot these days, doesn’t it?

Like drink this magical drink and suddenly poof!—your hair and weight are perfect, you’re radiating confidence, and you’re unstoppable.

But let’s get real: self-love isn’t always a good blowout and a fancy candle.

Sometimes, it’s dragging yourself to bed at 8:30 because you’re done.

Other times, it’s staring at your reflection in the mirror—bedhead, blemishes, and all—and deciding, “Yeah, I’m still worthy.”

I’ve been on my own self-love journey for years, and let me tell you, it’s messy. It’s a dance between growth and grace, between celebrating your wins and forgiving yourself when you screw up.

Self-love is less of “one-and-done” and more like building a relationship with someone you actually like spending time with. Except in this case that someone is you!

In this post, I want to share some ways I’ve learned to embrace the messy, imperfect, and totally human act of loving myself.

What is Self-Love?

Self-love, at its core, is the practice of treating yourself like someone you deeply care about.

It’s not about constant admiration or thinking you’re perfect (spoiler alert: no one is). Instead, it’s about showing up for yourself in the way you’d show up for a dear friend, especially on the days when you feel like the least lovable version of yourself.

Self-love is acknowledging your needs. It’s setting and honoring your boundaries. It’s trusting that your worth isn’t tied to your productivity, your appearance, or what anyone else thinks of you.

It is less about feeling love 24/7 and more about choosing love—especially in the small, everyday moments. It’s saying, “I deserve kindness,” even when you’re running late, messed something up, or aren’t where you thought you’d be by now.

And here’s the sneaky truth: self-love isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes, it’s the hard stuff—like saying no, walking away, or facing the parts of yourself you’d rather ignore.

But it’s also the most transformative, life-affirming habit you can practice. Because when you start loving yourself, not in a fleeting, surface-level way, but in a steady, grounded, and deeply compassionate way, it changes everything.

Self-Love Practices to Nurture Your Body, Mind & Soul

Stick around for some easy, quick ways to show yourself some real SELF-love and create habits that support your mind, body, and soul.

These are just a few of the ways we can celebrate ourselves: how we care for ourselves, spend time with ourselves, and love ourselves.

1. Start each day by reminding yourself of one thing that makes you feel well-loved.

Mornings set the tone for your entire day, so why not start with a boost? Take a moment to reflect on one thing that makes you feel well-loved.

• Did someone give you a beautiful compliment?
• Did you take an important step toward your passion project?
• Are you proud of yourself for handling a difficult situation with patience?
• Did you get dressed up for a Zoom call and you feel lovely?
• Did you treat yourself to a new book or something else that gives you a moment of pause in your hectic day?
• Or maybe you simply nailed getting everyone out the door on time—homeschooling chaos and all!

Think of one thing to help start your day off on the right foot.

Combine this reflection with self-love affirmations for an extra dose of positivity. Psst… you can check out my list of top self-love affirmations here.

2. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb.”

If it weren’t for Airplane mode, I sometimes wonder if I would get anything done!

I try to do this a few times a week, and my productivity soars. (And if I can combine it with my child’s nap time… that’s true work bliss!)

Putting some distance between my always-on phone and me, especially when I’m writing or focusing on tasks that support my Big Hairy Audacious Goals, is always good self-care in my books.

Your devices don’t have to control you. Taking charge of your tech habits is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.

Feeling bold? Plan a digital detox day and rediscover the glory of uninterrupted peace.

3. Move your body as regular self-love practices.

Feeling stuck or sluggish? Moving your body is a fantastic way to infuse your day with self-love.

Head outside for a walk or a hike through a forest on a sunny day. Or, if you have snow, strap on your snowshoes (and bundle up if it’s below zero!).

Too hot or too cold to go outside? Jump on a rebounder (mini trampoline), make your moves in an online dance class, or do 5 x 5 of your favourite yoga poses… even if it’s in the last 5 minutes before you dive into bed.

If you have mobility issues, look for a gentle stretching routine on YouTube that you can follow or adapt to your comfort.

My Self-Love vibrational healing track, based on hypnosis and binaural beats, is wonderful to use at the same time!

4. Drink more water.

Did you know that it’s incredibly easy to become dehydrated in winter? That’s because, regardless of the weather, your body relies on water to maintain a normal, healthy body temperature. And if you have a thyroid or other health condition that affects your body temperature, a lack of regular water intake can tax you even more.

I know I have to make an effort to drink enough water, especially in winter! I try to keep a glass on my desk so it’s always within reach. Hot beverages like herbal or caffeine-free teas are other great ways to get re-hydrated. But coffee and other caffeinated beverages are not. They are diuretics—you’ll lose more water than you take in.

Do you notice a BIG difference when you’re properly hydrated? If not, then you might not be consuming enough yet. Dry skin, joint pain, low energy, and mental fog are just a few symptoms of dehydration.

Try this simple self-love practice and remember that self-love comes in all shapes and sizes.

5. Explore flower essences as self-love practices.

Using flower essences is one of my favourite ways to add self-love into my day.

Two of my favourite flower essences right now are Red Clover and European Elder ‘Black Lace’.

• Red clover flower essence is deeply nourishing to the nervous system, allowing us to rest and relax. It offers a roadmap to self-care, through the heart chakra. It supports self-care and self-nourishment.

• European Elder ‘Black Lace’ flower essence is a beautiful heart remedy. It helps boost our capacity for love, opening us up to new love, new opportunities, and new relationships. Excellent support for unconditional self-love, this essence reminds us that we cannot thrive without support or love from others.

When I’m at my desk, I almost always add flower essences to my water. They offer an energetic and vibrational boost!

Learn more about flower essences in this article, and how flower essences are completely different from essential oils!

Your info is safe with me. I will guard it with my life and promise no spam, ever. I genuinely hate it as much as you do!

6. Get creative as part of your daily self-love practices.

Creativity isn’t about being Picasso; it’s about having fun and letting your imagination run wild. Think of it as playtime for your soul.

Many have been drawn to explore their creativity this year, myself included! I started playing with acrylic pour painting at Christmas and I love the process of making art this way. I hope to explore botanical art with plants from my garden this summer.

You may find your creativity through self-love practices like:

• journaling or writing a blog,
• baking homemade bread,
• try kitchen experiments like making herbal vinegar,
• taking photos,
• making music,
• creating art from textiles, or,
• any other creative practice that makes you happy.

Art is also an emotional experience so if you find it hard to tap into how you’re feeling, art can be an effective way to do this.

I love that creativity is completely personal and there is no wrong way to do it… perfect for the perfectionists among us!

Need some ideas? Here’s an article I wrote on Creative Practices for Stress Relief.

7. Start a gratitude practice.

Gratitude is one of the quickest and easiest self-love practices because it shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant, within you and around you.

When you pause to appreciate small things, like how your body keeps showing up for you or the cozy feeling of your favorite sweater, you acknowledge that you deserve to celebrate the good in your life. It’s a simple act, but it plants the seeds of self-worth in a way that feels effortless.

What makes gratitude so powerful as a self-love practice is how accessible it is. You don’t need a fancy journal or hours of spare time (though a gratitude journal can be lovely). It can be as quick as a mental thank-you list while brushing your teeth or a moment of appreciation for your resilience after a tough day.

These tiny gratitude pauses are like love notes to yourself. They’re proof that you’re worthy of acknowledging the beauty in your world, no matter how small or ordinary it seems.

Over time, gratitude rewires your perspective. It helps you see yourself as someone worthy of love, care, and celebration, simply because you exist. Gratitude encourages you to stop striving for perfection and instead find joy and pride in the present moment. And the best part? It’s always available, ready to help you connect with yourself any time.

You can download my beautiful 30-day Gratitude Calendar. It offers helpful ideas and prompts and can be a great reminder to appreciate all the self-love we are nurturing!

8. Take a time out.

Stress can be as harmful as any diagnosed medical condition, especially chronic and long-term stress. But we always have a choice about how we respond to any situation, good or bad.

If you need a “time out”, you might:

• Do a one-minute meditation to centre yourself.
• Light a candle and pull some angel cards for guidance and support.
• Diffuse your fav essential oil blend in your diffuser.
• Turn off the news and dance to your favourite song.

Sometimes, self-love is simply saying, “I need a break”, and taking it.

9. Make a task list.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when we have a lot on our plates. Especially if we feel too busy all the time… but remember: burnout is not a badge of honour.

Making a task list is more than just an organizational tool. It’s one way to care for yourself by creating clarity and reducing stress.

When everything you need to do is swirling around in your head, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start.

Writing it all down gives those thoughts a home outside your brain, freeing up mental space and giving you a sense of control. It’s a simple act that can help you shift from chaos to calm in just a few minutes.

Once your list is written, you can prioritize what truly matters. This isn’t just about being productive, it’s about being intentional.

Ask yourself:

• What tasks align with my goals, well-being, and values?
• What can wait, and what might I delegate or let go of entirely?

I include this task in my self-love practices because it reminds you that your energy is valuable. You don’t have to do everything all at once; you deserve to focus on what lights you up or moves you forward in meaningful ways.

Hope you enjoyed these simple but effective self-love practices.

When it comes to self-love practices, start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.

These small, intentional acts can make a big difference in how you feel, not just today but every day.

What’s your favourite self-love ritual or practice for yourself?

Share it in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!

Life is a plate… Eat up!

Ashleigh

More Resources

• 25 Rituals to Honour Divine Feminine Energy for International Women’s Day
• Inner Healer’s Collection: Vibrational support for deep healing
• How to Improve Your Intuition with Food (& 9 Food Groups to Stop Eating!)