Self-care: why taking time for yourself matters (and how to make it a habit)

Between work, family, friends and everything else on the calendar, time for yourself is often the first thing to go. But making space to slow down isn’t selfish or indulgent. It’s part of looking after yourself, so you have more to give to everything else.

Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some simple ideas to get you started, and how to turn them into habits that stick.

Why taking time for yourself matters

When life gets busy, it’s easy to run on autopilot. Small moments of rest give you a chance to pause, reset and notice how you’re actually feeling. Many people find they come back to their day with more energy and patience after even a short break.

Self-care looks different for everyone. For one person it’s a morning walk, for another it’s a quiet cup of tea or an hour on the massage table. The best version is simply the one you’ll keep doing.

Small everyday habits that add up

• Move your body. A walk around the block, a swim or a stretch before bed all count. Choose something you enjoy rather than something you feel you should do.
• Take screen breaks. Put your phone in another room during meals, or try one evening a week without scrolling.
• Get outside. Fresh air and a change of scenery can make a busy day feel lighter. Just remember your hat and SPF.
• Schedule “you” time. If it’s not in the diary, it tends not to happen. Block out time for yourself the same way you would a meeting.
• Keep a simple skincare ritual. A few minutes to cleanse and moisturise at night is a small moment that’s just for you. On a slow weekend, a Dermal Face Lift Peptide Sheet Mask ($55) turns it into a mini at-home pamper.

Wind down for a better night’s sleep

Good sleep is one of the simplest forms of self-care, and a calm evening routine can help set you up for it.

• Keep regular hours. Going to bed and waking at similar times each day, including weekends, helps your body settle into a rhythm.
• Switch off screens early. Try putting devices away 30 to 60 minutes before bed and reading a book instead.
• Make your bedroom a retreat. Cool, dark and quiet is the goal, which in a Brisbane summer may mean a fan or light bedding.
• Watch the caffeine. Many people sleep better when they enjoy their coffee earlier in the day.
• Build a wind-down ritual. A warm shower, gentle stretching or your evening skincare routine can become a signal that the day is done.

A small shift in how you look at things

Self-care isn’t only about what you do. It’s also about how you treat yourself along the way.

• Notice the small wins. At the end of the day, think of one thing that went well, however small.
• Talk to yourself kindly. Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a good friend.
• Let go of perfect. Ten minutes of rest is better than none. Self-care doesn’t need to be a whole day to count.
• Say no when you need to. Protecting your time is part of looking after yourself.

Make time for a massage or day package

Sometimes the best self-care is letting someone else look after you. Our relaxation massages are a chance to switch off, breathe and enjoy some quiet time.

• 30 Minute Relaxation Massage: $100
• 60 Minute Relaxation Massage: $170
• 10 Minute Relaxation Massage Add-On: $35, a lovely extra when you’re already booked in for another treatment

New clients can enjoy 50% off their first massage. See our offers for details.

When you want a longer escape, our day packages give you time to properly unwind:

• Tranquil (150 minutes, $430): a 60 Minute Relaxation Massage, a Radiance Skin Treatment, plus Brow Sculpt, Brow Tint and Lash Tint.
• The Reset (150 minutes, $480): a 30 Minute Relaxation Massage, a Radiance Skin Treatment with a Hydro Jelly mask, Brow Sculpt, Brow Tint, Lash Tint and a Brazilian Wax.

Turn self-care into a habit

The hardest part of self-care is making it regular. Booking ahead takes the decision out of it, so your time for yourself is already locked in.

• Beauty Pass: monthly credit you can spend on massage, as well as waxing, IPL, lashes and brows and spray tanning. The Maintenance pass ($99 a month for $125 credit) covers a 30-minute massage each month with credit to spare, and the Complete pass ($149 a month for $200 credit) covers a 60-minute massage. There’s a 6-month minimum commitment.
• Skin Club: the Radiance Club ($135 a month, regular value $180) gives you a restorative, hydrating Radiance Skin Treatment every month, plus 20% off Australian Skin Institute and Tugun Compounding Pharmacy retail. It’s a monthly hour that’s all about you.

Not sure which suits you? Our guide to Skin Club, Beauty Pass or a package walks you through it, or see every option on our memberships page.

Know someone who never makes time for themselves? A gift voucher is a thoughtful way to give them permission to slow down.

Ready to book? Put some time for yourself in the diary today. Book online or find your nearest clinic on our clinics page.