25 Self-Care Quotes That Will Encourage You To Treat Yourself Better

Self-care is a simple concept in

theory. It comes down to any activity we do in order to protect our mental,

emotional, and physical health.

Self-care can be anything from taking some time to watch a movie, get a haircut, exercise or get a medical check-up. Sadly, due to the nature of our busy lives, taking care of one’s self has become an option or even a luxury.

We push ourselves to the point of exhaustion by dedicating all of our time and energy to anything else but taking care of ourselves -- and that only leads to burnout.

Does “I can’t seem to catch a break!” sound familiar to you? The truth is life’s not going to give you any breaks. You’ll have to take them yourself and “recharge” so you can continue chasing your goals or look after others.

Enjoying some “me” time doesn’t make you selfish -- it’s simply necessary. Everything needs tending to in order to function properly, and that includes you as well.

Here are 25 self-care quotes that will

encourage you to treat yourself better:

Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.

PARKER PALMER

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.

ANNE LAMOTT

It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.

MANDY HALE

Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.

ELEANOR BROWNN

Nourishing yourself in a way that helps you blossom in the direction you want to go is attainable, and you are worth the effort.

DEBORAH DAY

Doing nothing has become one of the lost luxuries in these hectic times. But doing nothing, even for five minutes, can be rejuvenating. Go for it: You -- unplugged.

JOAN MARQUES

Don't sacrifice yourself too much, because if you sacrifice too much there's nothing else you can give, and nobody will care for you.

KARL LAGERFELD

Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.

BRENÉ BROWN (more Brene Brown quotes)

There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling leaves and remember that it is enough to be taken care of by myself.

BRIAN ANDREAS

Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.

JIM ROHN (more Jim Rohn quotes)

When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn't healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits – anything that kept me small.  My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.

KIM MCMILLEN

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.

JOHN LUBBOCK

Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.

CHRISTOPHER GERMER

When you say ‘yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself.

PAULO COELHO (more Paulo Coelho quotes)

Self-care is so much more than a beauty regimen or an external thing you do. It has to start within your heart to know what you need to navigate your life. A pedicure doesn’t last, but meditating every day does.

CARRIE-ANNE MOSS

When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. 

JEAN SHINODA BOLEN

Self-care is one of the active ways that I love myself. When you can and as you can, in ways that feel loving, make time and space for yourself.

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS

Keep good company, read good books, love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT (more Louisa May Alcott quotes)

It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

Self-care is how you take your power back.

LALAH DELIA

Invent your world. Surround yourself with people, color, sounds, and work that nourish you.

SUSAN ARIEL RAINBOW KENNEDY

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.

SYDNEY J. HARRIS

You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.

LOUISE HAY (more Louise Hay quotes)

To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family.

MICHELLE OBAMA

Self-care has become a new priority -- the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs.

FRANCES RYAN