Written by Stephanie Montatore
Let’s be real – we can ALL be taking better care of ourselves.
You know the feeling when every single assignment on earth seems to be due, when that one friend lets us down (again), or when the whole “work-life balance” thing becomes a laughable suggestion.
The truth is, self-care doesn’t have to be expensive, intimidating or time-consuming. If anything, it often serves best as small lifestyle changes that can easily be implemented into your own daily, weekly or monthly routines. Oh, and before I hear anymore negative self-talk from you, yes – you absolutely deserve it.
So, take a breath and unwind. It’s time to try some new self-care methods tailored to you. Or, test out absolutely any on this list!
Aries
21 Mar – 19 Apr
Get active
If I have learnt anything since getting into astrology, it
is that you Aries placements absolutely love (and often need) some physical down time. Whether that means walking or running, simple stretches or yoga class, give that self-care method a try when you next need some you time. Chances are, there’s a lot of emotion you may be bottling up that getting physical can help release!
Taurus
20 Apr – 20 May
Sleep & rise the right way
Whether too much or too little sleep, both can be really harmful for our bodies. So, what better self-care method to focus on for the rest-loving Taurus? It’s super important to find a balanced sleep and wake routine that fits your needs and lifestyle best. Plus, imagine having time every morning to make that aesthetically pleasing bowl of oats you love – heaven!
Gemini
21 May – 20 June
Schedule a monthly self-care day
This one is a little more intense, but a wise Gemini friend
of mine swears by it! Between a hectic schedule, taking a whole day out for yourself provides time to do all that self- care you’ve been “too busy” for. My friend, she especially loves to go for long bike rides, make art and pick up new hobbies. Try out anything that gives you joy and see how much one day can recharge you!
Cancer
21 June – 22 Jul
Take a relaxing bath
It’s bath time Cancer! When life gets a bit too much, crawl back into that crab shell for a moment (or several hours) and let yourself indulge in all those feels. Make it pretty with a bathbomb – or don’t. The water alone is likely to feel really spiritual to those of you with a sign ruled by the moon. You can blast some sad songs, cry, and let it all
out! The best thing? No family member or flatmate can do ANYTHING about it; lock that door (just in case though) to scream and sing in peace.
Leo
23 Jul – 22 Aug
Get some sun
As a Leo, you’re literally ruled by the sun (yes, you’re ACTUALLY the centre of the universe), so spending time with that fiery space ball is likely to charge you right up in no time! Go for a walk on your lunch break, go for a picnic with a friend, or just find any excuse to get out while the sun is shining. Fun fact: if you’re into crystals you can even charge them and set your intentions in the sun, so you can give this a try!
Virgo
23 Aug – 22 Sept
Say “no”
Yes, I’m talking to you. As a fellow Virgo, I’m telling you to knock off those niceties (sometimes). Truth be told, giving all of yourself to everyone all the time isn’t actually helping anyone. Burning yourself out is just going to make being your best even harder! So, I challenge you to say “no” way more often. Say no to unnecessary family drama, to demanding colleges, to literally anything that doesn’t sit right with you.
Libra
23 Sept – 22 Oct
Form a skincare routine
With your home sign of Venus providing a love for
beauty and aesthetics, I would really encourage you Librans to develop a skincare routine that makes you feel pampered. The products don’t need to be crazy expensive or extensive, but I bet taking 5-10 minutes out of your morning and night to nourish your skin will make facing the day a little bit easier. You can even light a candle and make it a daily ritual to really treat yourself!
Scorpio
23 Oct – 21 Nov
Schedule some self love time
Yeah, I’m not kidding, a little “self love” time (if you catch my drift) is super beneficial for your body. According
to Better Health Australia, masturbation helps us relax, de-stress, promotes better sleep, and even releases those feel good hormones called endorphins you always hear about. You don’t need a partner to be pleased in this department, just a little alone time to hang out with that wonderful body that gets you through so much everyday.
Sagittarius
22 Nov – 21 Dec
Get out and explore
It’s no secret that you love a little adventure, but guess what? You don’t need to stray far to get that kick! I would really encourage you Sagittarians to try a new hiking path with a friend, test out a new restaurant, or go explore that part of town you haven’t been to before. Sometimes COVID-19 restrictions have made getting out really difficult, but even from home you can visit the website Drive & Listen to be virtually driven around different cities across the world!
Capricorn
22 Dec – 19 Jan
Unplug for 24 hours
This one might sound a little crazy, but hear me out. When we spend SO much time checking emails, replying to texts and scrolling aimlessly on social media in our spare time, we really aren’t prioritising ourselves. Plus, too much screen time has been found to increase rates of anxiety and depression in numerous studies. So, try unplugging – even if that just means for a few hours or a day, it may help you more than you’d think!
Aquarius
20 Jan – 18 Feb
Try out some meditation
For the dreamy and philosophical Aquarius, I would recommend some good old fashioned meditation to put that brain to good use! There are so many types of meditation techniques you can try, and plenty that are guided and free on YouTube. So why not test out what works for you? Meditation has been proven to improve concentration, self-esteem and even increase self- awareness – perfect for such an imaginative star sign!
Pisces
19 Feb – 20 Mar
Stay hydrated
I know this one sounds painfully basic, but as a water sign (and as a human who is on average made of 70% water) you really need to take your water intake seriously. Your body deserves hydration, so treat yourself like a loved one and give it what it needs so you can function well. According to Health Direct Australia, most people need between 8-10 glasses a day. Literally every cell in your body is counting on you, so don’t let those little suckers down!
Self care can only go so far, if you require further support don’t hesitate to call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit their website via https://www.lifeline.org.au/
More from Edition 42
Understanding Online Safety for Students with eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant
Written by Ashleigh Buck Trigger warning: Cyberbullying, sexual harassement, sexual assault, child abuse, self-harm, suicide Living in a pandemic age has supercharged …
Healing from Sexual Harm: Impacts, Tips, and Things You Should Know
Written by Emma Mellett Trigger warnings: Sexual assault, sexual harm, sexual harassment Sexual assault and sexual harassment are major health and welfare …
The After by Isla Franchesca
Written by Isla Franchesca Cover art by Shachi Shah two years since her fourth article was published, franchesca reflects on the after laced …