Self-Care… But Make It a 3-Minute Speedrun……
Trending Wellness: Why “Micro Self-Care Moments” Are the New Self-Care Routine
Quick rituals busy women actually have time for
Let’s be honest for a second: the whole “self-care routine” thing got a little… unrealistic. Between 12-step skincare regimens, journaling before sunrise, 45-minute meditations, matcha ceremonies, and whatever else the internet insists we should be doing… most women are simply trying to drink their coffee while it’s still hot. We see women whose job it is to sell us beauty products promoting these unrealistic routines because, at the core, we as humans deeply crave time to fully indulge in self-care and find ways to genuinely feel better. Journaling in this day and age is fun, but I rarely have my pen and paper with me; however, I always have my phone, so sometimes I jot down my thoughts in my phone’s notes app (my wife actually taught me this). Meditation doesn’t always happen on a yoga mat either—sometimes I remember to practice better breathing techniques while driving, lying in bed, doing the dishes (I still don’t have a dishwasher, despite swearing growing up that I would), or even in the shower. It really happens anytime I have a quiet moment to think alone. As for my skincare routine, I started by addressing everything I didn’t like about my skin, which meant caring for the entire “meat suit,” not just my face. I wanted something simple and effective, not spending two hours on a complicated ritual. I preferred a quick routine right after the shower. So, after researching ingredients—learning what’s harmful and what’s beneficial—I decided that making and using my own products was the best route. By eliminating what’s bad, I’ve experienced nothing but great results. Any skin issues I wanted to fix have gradually faded away, making this journey so far my favorite. Discovering what’s all-natural, why it actually works, and learning more about our skin has saved me so much money, and I’ve stopped chasing expensive beauty trends. I love watching influencers craft their makeup looks and appreciate their artistry, but when I realized there’s no way someone can promote five different products in three days and actually see meaningful results, it just made me question the authenticity of those claims. There’s just no way they’re experiencing real, lasting benefits from that kind of rapid product-switching.
That’s exactly why micro self-care moments are truly taking over 2025 — and thank goodness for it. It’s about time we start focusing on finding the girls promoting one product, not every product under the sun. Let’s seek out those who genuinely care about the ingredients and what they put into their bodies. Trends are manipulations designed to influence us, and it’s really frustrating when you realize you’ve been caught by one! I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. I absolutely hate feeling fooled because I didn’t take the time to educate myself and instead made decisions based purely on emotions, and depending on the week, I will buy anything if it brings me joy (thankfully, my wife knows how to tell me NO).
These aren’t routines that demand an entire spa day or a lengthy hour of silence (which, let’s be honest, rarely exists in a household with kids). Instead, these are simple 3–5 minute, nervous-system-resetting rituals you can easily fit into everyday moments. Whether you’re in the car during a quick drive, stepping into the bathroom for a brief pause, or even hiding behind a laundry basket just like the rest of us, these small practices are doable. Even when doing chores, I constantly remind myself how grateful I am to have children to do laundry for and how deeply rewarding that responsibility can be. I’ve already begun noticing the benefits—there’s truly nothing better than watching your young children grow into adults who are motivated to succeed, eager to contribute to a life that’s rewarding, calm, and full of excitement. These special moments aren’t often talked about, perhaps because they don’t arrive as frequently as we’d like, but when they do, the feeling can last a lifetime. Sometimes, I don’t even mind doing the dishes or laundry because while I’m engaged in these tasks, I use the time to reflect and appreciate, which ultimately has turned into pure happiness. It’s remarkable how this mindset shift works, though it doesn’t happen overnight—it takes months, sometimes years. I know we all wish for quick fixes, and I too, hoped it would only take days or weeks, but when making lasting lifestyle changes, we must keep showing up and working patiently until our bodies and minds naturally adjust.
Let’s break down why micro self-care moments matter — and how to make them part of your everyday life.
💛 Why Tiny Rituals Work: The Nervous System Loves Short Bursts
Your nervous system doesn’t care if you meditate for an hour.
It cares that you pause long enough to switch out of fight-or-flight.
Just 3–5 minutes of intentional calm can:
Lower stress hormones
Reduce heart rate
Improve digestion
Stop spiraling thoughts. Just being aware of what we are thinking and knowing we need to take a few minutes to redirect what we are thinking can ultimately rewire our systems. Also, feeding our brains Power foods and staying away from processed foods helps let our brains relax.
Shift you from “survival mode” into “okay, I got this” mode with a simple change. Make sure you are not hungry, because hunger can easily send you back into survival mode and even trigger a bit of rage. That's why when we’re hungry, we tend to get angry, even though sometimes our belly doesn’t clearly signal that to us—but the frustration is definitely there. This is something I’ve personally discovered about myself. I wasn’t naturally an angry person; I just didn’t know how to properly feed myself! HAHAHA
You don’t need a retreat. You need a reset button — and micro moments are exactly that.
🌿 Aromatherapy + Scent Science: Why Smells Calm You Instantly
Your sense of smell is wired directly to the limbic system — the part of your brain that controls emotions, memories, and stress responses.
That’s why one whiff of lavender or vanilla can change your entire mood faster than a pep talk. Take into account the deep breathing we do to sniff and smell, and how that alone gives calm vibes.
Micro scent rituals could look like:
Rolling a calming essential oil on your wrists
Take 3 slow breaths while inhaling a natural body lotion. I had days where I would literally bathe in my lotion just to calm down. Only my homemade lotion, though, the store-bought never brought me calmness. Just itchy dryer skin, unfortunately.
Spritzing a room mist before bed
Using an herbal-infused balm as your “moment of reset.”
The fastest way to calm your brain? Smell something earthy, warm, grounding, or familiar. This is why natural botanicals hit differently — your body recognizes them.
🌼 Herbal Infusions + Natural Skincare as Daily Rituals
Skincare isn’t just skincare anymore — it’s therapy disguised as lotion.
Herbal-infused oils, plant-based tinctures, and simple botanical routines give you:
A sensory moment
A grounding ritual
A reason to pause for 60 seconds
A connection back to your body
Think of your skincare as a micro-meditation:
Massage your moisturizer in slowly. Feel it. Breathe while you do it. That alone is a nervous-system reset.
If you use infused products (calendula, clove, cinnamon, chamomile, rose, etc.), the herbs themselves add another layer of calming, healing support.
✨ Easy Micro Moments You Can Start Today
Here are a few you can actually fit into your life — no extra steps, no aesthetic morning routine required:
1. 60-Second Hand Massage
Use a scented lotion with all-natural ingredients or an infused balm to gently relax both your mind and body. Take a peaceful moment to breathe deeply, allowing yourself to reset and restore your energy. Currently, my favorite ingredients to infuse are yam root, honey, lemon, vanilla, clove, and chasteberry, as they create a wonderful balance of nourishment and a soothing, natural aroma. For my feet, to keep them feeling fresh and remain fungus-free, I infuse witch hazel with warming clove and cinnamon. I make sure to apply this calming blend before my lotion to ensure my feet stay comfortable and that the dogs aren’t barking by the end of the day.
2. The “Three Breaths” Rule
Stop. Close your eyes. Three slow inhales. Three slow exhales. Done. We have time to slow down and do this.
3. Warm Face Cloth Ritual
Run a cloth under hot water, press it over your face for 10 seconds. Instant calm.
4. 2-Minute Herbal Steam
Boil water → pour into a bowl → add a few herbs or a drop of essential oil → breathe.
5. A Gentle Moment in the Shower
Instead of rushing through your shower, take a full minute to let the warm water gently cascade over your shoulders. That simple pause signals a sense of safety and relaxation to your body. I enjoy hanging eucalyptus branches in my shower; it creates a calming atmosphere and fills the steamy space with a refreshing, natural scent. Adding fresh lemons to your bathroom and using some Epsom salt to gently rub on your skin transforms the experience into a soothing, spa-like ritual you can enjoy right at home.
6. “Phone Down, Shoulders Down” Check-In
Every time you put your phone down, take a mindful moment to roll your shoulders back, stretch your neck gently, and inhale deeply one full, calming breath. Seriously, put the phone down fully and allow yourself this intentional pause to reconnect with yourself. As you begin to recognize just how much you've been subtly influenced and manipulated by fleeting trends and external noise, you’ll start to understand that you don’t even want to keep searching for validation or constantly looking to others for advice, because deep down, you will already know what feels right for you. You won’t need anyone else to tell you how to live your life or what steps to take, because feeling your best naturally frees you from the need to seek outside approval or opinions from others. Over time, you will gradually become your own reliable source of wisdom and guidance. This doesn’t mean you should dismiss others’ perspectives outright or tell people to shut up because they are wrong; rather, it means you will develop the discernment to recognize which advice truly resonates with you and which simply reflects someone else’s personal experiences and perceptions of life. We all only know so much, and that’s precisely why not everyone’s advice is meant for us or applicable to our unique journey.
7. Nighttime Scent Anchoring
Pick a scent (lavender, vanilla, chamomile). Use it only at bedtime. Your brain will start associating that smell with sleep. It helps create a calm space to sleep in. Our room in our sanctuary, we love it here, it’s calm, smells good, and is so comfy. Make spaces you love being in.
💬 The Bottom Line
Self-care doesn’t have to be a production.
It doesn’t have to be Instagrammable.
It doesn’t even have to take more than five minutes.
Real self-care is found in tiny, honest moments — the ones that anchor you, reset you, and remind your nervous system that you’re safe, supported, and doing your best.
Scroll through my blog to discover a variety of DIY skincare recipes, or browse my shop for carefully crafted homemade lotions, nourishing oils, and potent tinctures. Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for a wealth of all-natural beauty tips and thoughtful self-care routines. I also share wholesome, whole food recipes and insights on how to avoid the latest trends that, over time, can harm our bodies. Seriously, there’s truly great food right at home—I even have my kids saying it! You can always do things in moderation, but not when the food they are selling us in trends isn’t even real anymore.
