Last updated: September 23, 2026
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The best self-care ideas for women are small habits you repeat: moving your body, caring for your skin, planning your week, checking your money, and feeding your mind. Here are the 20 self-care practices that carried me through my midlife glow-up, from a 45-minute daily walk to a Saturday budget check.
Midlife isn’t the end. It’s the start of something good. This is the season to finally put yourself first. I know, because that’s exactly what I did.
As of September 2026, I’m down 200 pounds from my highest weight of 431. I’m also a certified life and wellness coach for women over 40. These habits are a big part of how I got here.
You don’t need all 20. Pick one or two.
Let’s get into it.
Self-care is anything you do on purpose to take care of your body, mind, money, and time. It’s not just bubble baths and face masks.
For me, it’s the small daily promises that add up.
And here’s the truth: self-care isn’t selfish. It’s how you show up better for everyone else, too.
Starting my day with tongue scraping feels like a fresh reset. It comes from Ayurveda, a traditional healing practice from India.
Why I love it: Your tongue holds a lot of the bacteria that cause bad breath. Cleveland Clinic says scraping can help with bad breath more than brushing alone. Do it as an extra step after brushing and flossing, not instead of them.
My favorite: Tongue Scraping Tool
Before coffee, before breakfast, I drink lemon water.
Why I love it: It’s a gentle way to wake up and an easy way to start drinking water first thing. You get a little vitamin C, too.
Oil pulling means swishing oil (I use coconut oil) around your mouth for a few minutes. I do it while I’m getting ready in the morning.
Let’s keep it real: the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling, because there are no reliable studies showing it improves oral health. It’s part of my morning ritual, but treat it as an extra. Never skip brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
My favorite: Coconut Oil
Hydration is life. Drinking enough water every day is one of the simplest ways to show my body love and respect.
Why I love it: More water means more energy, better skin, and fewer “hunger” moments that are really thirst.
Daily walking is non-negotiable for me. It’s free therapy, meditation, and movement all in one.
It’s also where my whole glow-up started. Read the full story in How Many Steps a Day to Lose Weight? How Walking Changed My Life After 40.
Strength training makes me feel strong in ways I never imagined.
Why it matters after 40: After age 30, we lose as much as 3% to 5% of our muscle every decade, according to Harvard Health. Lifting weights fights back and keeps your metabolism and bones strong.
My skincare time is sacred. In the morning: cleanse, moisturize, and sunscreen. At night: a gentle routine that helps my skin recover.
Don’t skip the sunscreen: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day on skin that will be outside, all year long.
My AM skincare lineup:
Dermaplaning gently removes dead skin and peach fuzz from your face. It’s been a glow-up must for me. My skin feels smoother and brighter.
My favorite: Dermaplaning Tool
Healthy hair, happy me. A weekly deep conditioning treatment adds moisture, helps prevent breakage, and brings back shine. It’s one of my favorite little luxuries.
My favorite: Hair Mask
Reading is one of the most nourishing things I do for my mind. One book a week keeps me growing and creative.
Podcasts are my secret weapon for learning on the go. Wellness, money, personal growth… I soak it all up during walks, chores, and drives.
Journaling in the Confide app helps me sort through my thoughts and feelings. A few minutes a day keeps me grounded.
Try this: Tonight, write down one thing that stressed you out today and one thing that went right.
Working with a life coach every week helped me stay focused on my goals, work through hard moments, and keep moving forward.
I studied and practiced every day on my way to becoming a certified life coach. Learning something new every day keeps my mind sharp, and it helps me better serve the women I coach.
Every Sunday evening, I plan what I’ll eat for the week. It takes the guesswork out and keeps my goals on track.
Meal prep is a love letter to my future self that says, “I’ve got your back.”
It saves time, cuts stress, and makes the healthy choice the easy choice. See how it fits into my full plan in Losing Weight After 40: How I Lost 200 Pounds.
I take 20 minutes every Sunday to plan and review my week. It keeps me focused on what matters and helps me live on purpose.
Every Saturday, I check my accounts, update my budget, and plan the week’s spending.
Money stress is real stress. Financial health is part of wellness. (And yes, as of September 2026, I’ve paid off $45,000 in debt, so I take this one seriously.)
Always talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.
I add lion’s mane and reishi to my routine every day. Research on functional mushrooms is still early, so talk to your doctor first, especially if you take other medications.
My favorite: Mushroom Oils
I take collagen daily. In my walking story, I shared how collagen and consistency helped my sore knees feel stronger.
What the research says: The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that some studies found collagen improved skin elasticity and joint pain. But most of that research is funded by the industry, and the FDA doesn’t review supplements before they’re sold. Sleep, sunscreen, and not smoking help protect your collagen, too.
My favorite: Collagen
Start with one or two habits and attach them to something you already do. Small and steady beats big and burned out.
Try this: Circle two numbers from this list. Start them tomorrow.
Want a simple way to build your routine? Read 5 Ways to Start Reinventing Your Life After 40.
Easy self-care ideas include a daily walk, drinking more water, a simple skincare routine with sunscreen, reading, journaling for a few minutes, and planning your week on Sunday. Start with one or two that feel doable.
Attach self-care to things you already do. Drink water before coffee, listen to a podcast while you walk, and plan your week during Sunday downtime. Many self-care habits take 5 minutes or less.
Strength training and walking help protect your muscles and bones, and daily sunscreen and good sleep help your skin and energy. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms, because there are many options that can help.
No. Taking care of yourself gives you more energy, patience, and focus for the people you love.
It can take as little as 5 minutes. Habits like tongue scraping, lemon water, and skincare are quick. Bigger ones, like walking and meal prep, take more time but pay off all week.
These 20 practices aren’t about perfection. They’re about devotion.
Tiny daily investments.
Big changes over time.
That’s the glow-up.
Because you, my beautiful friend, are worthy of good health, confidence, purpose, and joy.
Not sure where to start? Take the free Glow Assessment to find the area of your life that needs care first. Or build your plan with me in the 6-Week Strategy Session.
With love and confidence,
Jax
This post shares my personal experience and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement, diet, or exercise plan.
