QOTD #47: What are your self-care routines?

What are your self-care routines?
Showering, eating, pedicures, buying yourself flowers...
What do you do to take care of yourself?

A friend recently commented that they buy themselves a boquet of flowers once a week in the winter as a matter of self-care. It boosts their mood and reminds them of springtime, their favorite season. I found it odd... and beautiful. And it started me thinking, what do I do to take care of myself? Anything?

I really don't have routines. Other than standard stuff like eating. I do try to eat lunch at 12pm. And I brush my teeth twice a day. And I make sure that I shower or bathe every 24-48 hours. But that's about it. I don't like manicures. I don't like seeing hair stylists. I don't enjoy massages. I don't particularly care for cut flowers.

The best thing for my well-being is making sure that I see my daughters for at least a couple of hours every day. Reading a book every now and again is really nice, as well.

 

It's important to me that I get enough sleep. I shower every morning - not quite as religious about that in the winter - and shampoo my hair. I usually brush my teeth in the shower. I weigh myself and write it down (114lb this am - a little higher than usual) and since my heart arrhythmia episode a while back I also take my blood pressure a couple of times a week.

I try to actively listen to some music every day, and I don't just mean music is playing while I do something else. I play my bass every few days. We try to go to a concert, club, or some other live music event at least a couple of time a month. I enjoy some kind of sexual activity - not necessarily intercourse - several times a week, often in the morning.

I follow a diet that is low in carbs, high in fat, and moderate protein, and I'm somewhat evangelical about it. I usually call my mom and dad on Sunday afternoon. I read several hours a week, sometimes several hours in a day. History, Alt History, SciFi, Poetry, Biography... more non-fiction than fiction. I'm a nerd.

I haven't always been so routinized, but it seems to work out for me now.

 

Reading & writing on the TFP

 

I keep track of my self-care routines pretty closely, as dropping some is the first sign of depression kicking in for me.

I only wash my hair once a week, but I shower every day. Sometimes I take a hot bath or a hot shower in the evening to relax.

On Sundays, I usually sit down and try to do my nails--fingers and toes. I have been limited in my ability to do this in our current abode, though.

I get my hair cut every six weeks on a schedule. My hair stylist is a kickass lady, and we're both huge geeks, so I love going to talk to her. Getting my hair cut is a bonus! Honestly, though, it needs to be thinned on time, or I end up with a bush on my head.

I recently downloaded an app called Fabulous, and though I know @Baraka_Guru was disappointed there wasn't an iOS version, the Android version has helped me get into the habit of developing some smaller self-care routines in the morning, afternoon, and evening. For example, I come home from work, put on the kettle, tidy up, set a cup to steep, meditate, then enjoy my tea. The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes, and yet my HR drops from 90-100 to 60-70 by the time I'm finished.

 

My profession is one of the few legal ones in which pants are frequently optional.

Being a remote maintenance drone makes it easy for self care to go out the window. Turning into a disgusting unwashed hermit is something that needs to be actively avoided.

I used to shower every other day but cranked that up to daily because my medications are giving me skin issues. I brush my teeth twice a day and floss once. I shave when I feel like it.

Walking the dog is good for both her sanity and mine. Now that the weather's gone foul it's harder to get out on those really long jaunts but I try to go for a few per week. Layers are good. The dog doesn't care.

Related to skin issues and showering daily, I now moisturize. I was turning into a jerky strip so it seemed necessary, but damn if it doesn't feel nice.

I am in no way hard. Well, maybe one but only occasionally.

 

At night I undress, hang or hook anything I plan to wear again. I might (or might not) choose something to wear the next day and hang it on the closet door. I step around the corner to the bathroom, pee, floss and brush, wash my hands and face, back to the bedroom I put on a nightshirt or something sexy. I crawl into bed, set my alarm if need be, pull the covers up. I may read for a little while, or not. Then it's sleepy time down south.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8C8v-ulrXE

 

Men should moisturize! It's good for your skin. Keeps you looking young (not that you, @Martian, particularly have that problem).

 

In truth, I guess my primary things are related to my head.
Other than your standard shower (I can't fit into most bathtubs) and toothbrushing.

I shave my head daily, first in the shower with a non-fog mirror, vibrating 3-bladed razor. This gets off the bulk of the hair and the hot water takes the place of any shaving cream. No need (the vibration keeps the hairs from clogging the blades)
Then I shave with precision in the mirror with a 2 bladed Excel, which curves to my face/head better and is easier to see and manipulate.
Most bald headed sites recommend a hot shower for shaving.

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Wake 2 hours before I have to go. (after approximately 5-6 hours sleep) usually before the alarm.
I'll wake with 2 cups of coffee. (prefer dark roast whole beans ground in a Supreme Burr Mill)
Chill watching the good parts of the recorded late night show.
Check the web for news and info.
The shower routine noted above
Dress, suit and tie...with tie clip
Nuke a breakfast sandwich (which wakes the dog) ...chow that down sharing with the pup.
Walk the dog (she's pretty consistent and quick)
Grab the bag (leather computer case, big enough for my 17" laptop)...but usually I just have a book and other things that would be good in a purse, umbrella, gloves, cough drops, etc)
Pat myself down for Wallet, Keys, Cell and Badge.
Adjust the TV to cartoons for the pup (yes, she likes the colors and the high pitched voices...does make a difference in her demeanor)
Check the lights
Off to work

Night is a bit more random after work.
According to my whims.
As long as I get home at a reasonable time to walk the dog. (I have a dog walker)

Sometimes I work remote
Then I just do the robe thing...unless I'm on a webcam meeting.

 

I shower every day. In the summer sometimes twice a day. I hate not feeling clean. Since I am usually home from work just before my wife (or work from home), I usually shower just before she gets home. Mostly because I don't like getting up any earlier than I have to, so morning showers are rare, and also because I would prefer to be clean for the late afternoon/evening, since that is most often the time we'll have some fun in the bedroom. I figure it's only polite to make sure everything is fresh and clean.

My eating habits are more sporadic than they should be. Sometimes I eat breakfast, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I skip lunch. It all depends on if I am home, traveling, at the office, at a customer's place, etc.

I do get my haircut regularly, and that includes a nice shampoo and head rub in a proper salon.

I also get a 90-120 massage every 6-8 weeks. There is a masseuse I've used for probably 3+ years, and the last 18 months or so she comes to my house for it. It makes a huge difference with my back issues, and is good for relaxation and tension in general. And yes, it's all legit and proper. Usually she comes to the house and gives my wife a massage as well.