Self-Care 101: Simple Hacks to Feel Good and Live Your Best Life
Self-care is more than just a buzzword — it’s something we all need in our daily lives. Did you know there’s even a special day for it? International Self-Care Day happens every year on July 24th! Whether it’s just passed or you’re reading this on the day (happy Self-Care Day!), it’s a good reminder that taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health shouldn’t be a once-a-year thing.
If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken the first step to putting yourself first, so welcome! You’re in the right place, because we’re here to break down what self-care is and why it matters so much.
So, what does Queen St. Bakery have to do with self-care? Well, self-care isn’t just about bubble baths or downtime — it’s about making everyday choices that help you feel your best, like eating nourishing meals or getting a good night’s sleep. Lucky for you, we’ll be sharing our top 10 ways to make self-care easy or as we like to call it, self-care hacks that you can easily add to your own lifestyle.
Think of us at Queen St. Bakery as part of your self-care toolkit — ready to help you care for yourself anytime, anywhere! How? Well, let’s find out!
What is self-care, and what does it look like?
You might think of self-care as something simple — and for some people, it is! But it’s actually not that easy to do, as there’s more to it than just taking a break. At its core, self-care is about looking after yourself through awareness, self-control, and self-reliance to support your overall health and well-being. It’s a mix of everyday practices and skills that help you cope, grow, and keep a healthy balance — from eating well to staying on top of personal hygiene to enjoying a good quality of life.
Sounds doable, right? But the truth is, putting self-care into action takes knowledge, motivation, and confidence — and those can be shaped by lots of things, which we’ll get into in a bit. But that’s why we’re so glad you’re here, because this blog will help you build all three so you can step into self-care your way. Just remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all — how you care for yourself might look totally different than how your friends or family do it, and that’s okay!
Why Self-Care Matters and Why It’s Not Always Easy!
If you think about it, self-care has a lot of benefits depending on what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. But if you’re not convinced of why self-care is needed, here are a few reasons why self-care is worth it:
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Keeps your body and mind feeling good
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Gives your confidence a boost
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Helps you stay positive
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Eases stress and worries
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Makes you stronger when life gets tough
Even with all the great benefits, self-care isn’t always easy — but why? What’s holding us back from just relaxing and doing what’s good for us? Well, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than simply deciding to do it. A big part of how we care for ourselves starts early — our daily habits are shaped when we’re kids, and once they stick, they’re tough to break! And then there’s motivation — or sometimes, the lack of it! Even when we do get motivated to start something (like going to the gym), keeping it up is a whole other story.
Our habits and goals have to work together — so for self-care to stick, it needs to line up with what you really want. Plus, our surroundings can help or hold us back. Poor air quality, no green spaces, or an unsafe environment can easily zap our motivation. Ever skipped a run or walk because it was raining? Same idea! It’s not just what’s around us — stress, mood, and distractions in our heads can knock us off track too. They drain motivation, cloud our goals, and send us right back to old routines.
And here’s a sneaky truth: we humans love instant rewards. It’s called “future discounting” — we’d often rather enjoy a doughnut now than worry about a healthy heart later. So when the effort feels bigger than the payoff, self-care can quickly slide to the bottom of the list.
That’s why self-care needs to feel doable, rewarding, and true to what you want — so the benefits feel worth it now and later. Small steps, simple goals, and keeping it fun can help healthy habits stick for the long run. Of course, there’s a lot more to it — but we’re not here to make it feel harder, we’re here to cheer you on! The good news? Research shows a bit of motivation (with a side of kindness), tips that actually fit you, support from others, and some helpful know-how all help make healthy changes stick.
Lucky for you, we’re covering all of that right here — so think of this blog as your mini boost of motivation, info, and encouragement all in one!
Top 10 Ways to Make Self-Care Easy For You
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Eat Well and Healthy
Self-care is all about looking after you — and as simple as it sounds, one of the best places to start is with how you eat. Healthy eating can look different for everyone, but getting balanced meals in every day — from breakfast to dinner — is a big deal for both your body and your mind. Fun fact: meals packed with whole grains, fruits, veggies, and protein help your brain and body work better and can even boost your mood. So, every bite counts towards feeling your best every day!
If you’re stuck on how to make better food choices, here are a few simple ideas to help you out:
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Really balance out your meals! A good rule of thumb is to include at least 3 different food groups — think fruits and veggies, whole grains, protein, or dairy. To make it even easier, Queen St. Bakery products are already loaded with fibre and protein, so that’s one easy win if we’re on your plate! Don’t believe us? Have a peek at our Superfood Bagels and Breads and see for yourself!
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Meal prepping can be a game-changer! It’s all about planning your meals for the week (or even just a few days), grabbing only what you need at the store, and doing the cooking ahead of time. It can help you save time, money, and the daily “what’s for dinner?” stress — plus, it makes eating balanced meals way easier!
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Think about keeping Queen St. Bakery goodies on hand! Why? Because we’re all about tasty, feel-good products that make balanced eating easy. From our Chia Classic Loaf to our Everything Bagels, our breads are packed with protein and fibre and work for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack. Need some dietitian-approved ideas? Check out our blogs like What Breakfast Foods are Gluten-Free? Top Ideas for Your Morning Meal or Simple Vegan Sandwich Ideas to get started!
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Keep Hydrated
A big part of eating healthy is also about staying hydrated. Water plays a huge role in how we feel — it can affect our mood, energy, and even how well we focus. Fun fact: the human body is about 60% water (give or take, depending on age and gender!). And no, staying hydrated doesn’t just mean drinking anything — what you drink matters too! Soft drinks or energy drinks might quench your thirst for a second, but they’re often just “empty calories” with little nutrition. Water, on the other hand, keeps you hydrated without the extra sugar and calories. Plus, if you’re working out, staying hydrated is key — even mild dehydration can make you feel tired, unmotivated, and lower your endurance.
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Get Quality Sleep
Getting enough sleep can make or break how you feel and function every day. Good sleep helps your brain, mood, heart, and overall health. To get the best rest, aim for enough hours, stick to a regular bedtime, and keep your sleep quality in check. Wondering how much shut-eye you need? Most adults do best with at least 7 hours a night. Skimping on sleep can drag down your mood, mess with your health, and leave you feeling blah — so don’t sleep on sleep!
But it’s not just about getting enough sleep — our phones, TVs, and tablets can sneak in and mess it up too! Grabbing your phone before bed is basically a habit now (we get it — doomscrolling is real!). But all that blue light? Not so great. Blue light tricks your brain into staying awake and messes with melatonin — that sleepy hormone that helps you nod off. Too much blue light can throw off your body’s natural clock (your circadian rhythm), leaving you tired, moody, and even at risk for health issues like depression down the road. Sounds rough, but the good news? It’s an easy fix that you can start doing right here and now! Here are a few suggestions:
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Set a “phone bedtime” alarm so you know when to put your phone away
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Turn on night mode to keep the blue light low
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Pop on a cozy eye mask if there’s still light around
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Keep It Moving
Of course, we can’t skip exercise — it’s a huge part of self-care too! Moving your body in any way helps keep you healthy by lowering the risk of diseases like high blood pressure and heart problems. Plus, it’s a mood booster! Getting active — whether it’s a walk around the block, a quick jog, or a game of pickleball with friends (we see you, pickleball fans!) — can help melt away stress and add a little more joy to your day. That’s thanks to endorphins — those feel-good brain chemicals that boost your mood and make you feel great! Here are some fun ways to get started:
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Head out for a walk in the park or around your neighbourhood
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Skip the car and walk to your destination instead
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Make it fun and rewarding — finish a run? Treat yourself to ice cream or a tasty snack!
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Get others involved — bring your friends or family along for the workout
So yes, touching grass really does work — log off your phone, computer, or anything and get outside!
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Stay Social
You might not think hanging out with friends or family counts as self-care — but it totally does! We humans are wired to connect, and those connections actually do wonders for our health. Social support and feeling close to others can help keep blood sugar in check, support a healthy weight (seriously!), and boost your mental well-being. The best part? You can build and enjoy social support anytime, anywhere — whether it’s a romantic partner, good friends, or even a friendly chat with a stranger.
Spending time with people helps you grow, too! It builds empathy, sharpens your social skills, and reminds you who you are outside of the daily grind. So don’t feel guilty for hitting pause on work to catch up with friends — you deserve it, and your mind and body will thank you for it!
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The Power of Saying No
Here’s something that might surprise you — saying “yes” too often can actually chip away at your self-care and make you less productive! Maybe you say yes at work and pile on too many tasks, or agree to plans with friends you don’t really have the time or energy for. All those extra “yeses” can distract you and leave you feeling overwhelmed, with no room left to care for yourself.
Self-care is about looking after you — and sometimes that means learning to set boundaries. One of the best ways? Practice saying “no!” Saying no helps protect your time and energy, boosts your confidence, and keeps your mental well-being in check.
But we get it — saying no can feel super awkward. It’s easy to feel like you have to say yes to avoid letting someone down or causing awkwardness. But here’s the thing: there are ways to make saying no feel easier (and kinder!). One trick? Try the sandwich method — just like it sounds, you wrap your “no” between two positives. For example, if a coworker wants you to take on an extra project, you could say: “I really appreciate you thinking of me — thank you! But I’m swamped right now and can’t take on anything new. I’d love to reconnect once I wrap this up and see how else I can help.”
This helps you stay polite and clear while giving you space to protect yourself. It’s a simple way to understand why you’re saying no and makes setting boundaries feel so much easier!
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Live Grateful
We might be stepping into Thanksgiving territory here, but let’s be real — practicing gratitude every once in a while is a game-changer! Gratitude is all about appreciating what’s valuable and meaningful to you — basically, it’s that warm, fuzzy feeling of thankfulness. When we feel grateful, it boosts our mood and overall well-being. More gratitude = more life satisfaction! And in reference to tip #3, it can even help you sleep better and longer — so you can tackle two things at once!
Ready to practice? Here are a few easy ways to sprinkle more gratitude into your day:
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Journal about things (or people) you’re thankful for — even small wins and positive traits count!
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Send a quick text or message to someone you appreciate.
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Just think about someone you’re grateful for — it still counts!
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Write a thank you note (yes, old-school style!).
So don’t worry if your gratitude stays in your journal or just in your head — that’s actually the best place for it to start! No need to thank us for this one — you’ve got it!
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Logging Off Our Phones
Let’s be real — our phones and screens take up a lot of our day, and that number keeps climbing. Wondering just how much? On average, people worldwide spend about 6 hours and 38 minutes a day staring at screens — whether that’s TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Netflix, or hunting down that new outfit you’ve been eyeing. Pretty wild, right? (And yep, reading this might be adding to that time — sorry for the reality check!)
But here’s the thing — too much screen time can mess with your goals, pull you away from what really matters, and even throw off your sleep, stress, and overall well-being. The good news? Cutting back, even just a bit, can boost your mood and help you feel better all around. Ready to give it a shot? Here are some easy ways to start:
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Take short breaks — try unplugging for just 20 minutes at a time
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Pick one day a week to go phone-free during your downtime (work calls don’t count, sadly!)
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Try an app that helps limit your phone or certain apps you just can’t quit
It doesn’t have to be exactly from this list — everyone’s different! Anything that helps you pause your screentime, whether it’s picking up a new hobby, doing something you love, or trying one of these tips. It all adds up!
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Be Present and Mindful
Keeping with the theme here, mindfulness is another simple but powerful form of self-care. It’s all about tuning into what’s happening right now — your thoughts, feelings, and the world around you — with curiosity and zero judgment. If you’re thinking meditation, you’re on the right track! Meditation is one way to practice mindfulness, and it’s been linked to lower stress, less anxiety and depression, looser muscles, and even less job burnout.
How does it work? Instead of pushing away distracting thoughts or feelings, you notice them, let them be them, and learn from them. This helps you handle stress in a healthier way and build more calm and compassion for yourself.
Not sure where to start? Try these simple ideas:
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Focus on your breath — even a few deep breaths can help.
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Try a short sitting meditation: sit comfy with your feet flat, close your eyes, and pay attention to each breath in and out.
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Take Your First Step Into Self-Care
You’ve made it this far, so here’s our final nudge: it’s time to really do self-care. It’s all about doing things that make you feel good and bring you joy — because at the end of the day, your well-being comes first. If “me, myself, and I” isn’t your motto yet, maybe it’s time to make it one (kidding… but also not really!).
Think about it: what hobbies have you pushed aside because life got busy? What’s something new you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe you miss playing sports with friends, curling up with a good book, or exploring a new craft. Whatever it is, make a list and start ticking things off — treat it like your own personal self-care bucket list.
And remember: taking breaks and putting yourself first isn’t selfish — it’s giving yourself the care and grace you deserve.
So.. what else can we do for you?
For your future self, we hope these 10 tips help you start thinking about self-care and how to make it truly yours. And if you need an extra boost to get going, we’ve got you! Queen St. Bakery has recipes and ideas to help you kickstart your self-care journey — starting with tip #1, your plate! Craving inspo for recipes? We’ve got you covered with dietitian-approved picks like our Single Serve Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll, Superfood Spinach Gnocchi, or even a Superfood Sloppy Joe. That’s what we’re all about — superfood-powered goodness! From bagels and breads to buns and baking flour, our products are packed with ingredients that make healthy eating easy, tasty, and convenient for you (and your future self!).
At Queen St. Bakery, because we’re convenient self-care just for you, why not give these a look and see for yourself on how we can be a part of your self-care?
📦 Order online for bagels delivered right to your door
🛒 Find in a store near you (in the frozen section!)