Show Yourself Some Love: Occupational Therapy Tips for Everyday Life
Hey friend,
Can we talk for a minute about something we’re all terrible at sometimes?
Taking care of ourselves.
If you’re anything like most of the people I work with (and honestly, like me sometimes too), you are really good at showing up for others; family, work, community, maybe even volunteering and leading projects. But when it comes to showing yourself the same care, that often lands at the bottom of the list.
The beautiful thing about Occupational Therapy is that it isn’t just about recovering from injury or illness, it’s about helping people build lives that feel meaningful, balanced, and sustainable and that absolutely includes learning how to show yourself some love.
So, imagine we’re sitting down with a coffee together. Here are some OT-inspired ways you can start doing that today.
💛 1. Start With “Energy Respect,” Not Just Time Management
OTs look at energy as a real, limited resource.
If your day is packed with meetings, caregiving, deadlines, and errands, you don’t need to “push harder.” You might need to pace yourself smarter. Schedule breaks into your day at regular intervals. Even if it is only 5 minutes in between tasks to take a mental break and move your body, it can make a huge difference in how you feel. Doom scrolling is NOT a break 😊
If you’re anything like me… if something is not scheduled, it’s not happening!
🌿 2. Build Tiny Rituals That Say “I Matter”
Self-love isn’t always bubble baths and spa days (though I support both 😄).
Often, it’s the tiny daily signals you send yourself.
Examples:
- Drinking water before coffee
- Stepping outside for 3 minutes of fresh air
- Eating lunch sitting down (not standing at a counter or desk)
- Prioritize sleep by getting 8 hours of sleep each night
- Spending 30 minutes on the weekend planning for the week ahead.
OTs call these supportive habits…small things that keep you regulated and grounded.
🧠 3. Talk to Yourself Like You Would a Friend
If your best friend said:
“I’m exhausted and feel like I’m failing,”
You wouldn’t say, “Try harder.”
But many of us say that to ourselves daily. How we talk to ourselves matters.
Try this reframe:
Instead of → “I should be able to handle this, I feel like a failure”
Try → “This is a lot, but it can be a learning opportunity. What support would help right now?”
Self-compassion is not weakness, it’s a strength, and NO, you are not being selfish.
🏡 4. Make Your Environment Work For You
OT is huge on environment. Your space affects your mood, energy, and habits more than you think.
Showing yourself love might look like:
- Reducing visual clutter in our workspace. Cluttered space= cluttered mind.
- Moving healthy snacks to eye level in your pantry or fridge
- Creating a cozy wind-down corner
- Turning the TV off at least 1 hour before bed
🌸 5. Redefine Productivity (This Is a Big One)
You are not only valuable when you are producing, earning, fixing, or helping others.
Rest is productive.
Joy is productive.
Connection is productive.
Healing is productive.
Sometimes showing yourself love is:
- Saying no
- Leaving early
- Asking for help
- Taking a real break (not a scrolling break)
Instead of defining a successful day by the number of tasks you did, define it by how you felt.
💪 6. Care for Your Future Self
One of my favourite OT lenses:
“Will this make life easier for future me?”
A little planning goes a long way
Future-you deserves :
- Enough sleep
- Food that supports your brain and body
- Movement that keeps you strong and independent
- Boundaries that protect your mental health
You don’t have to overhaul your life.
Just help tomorrow-you a little.
💬 If I Could Tell You One Thing
You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t have to earn care.
You don’t have to earn kindness, especially from yourself.
You are already worthy of it.
For additional information, please visit https://harboursiderehab.ca/ or reach out to us for personalized assistance.