Dealing with stress, whether it’s rooted in financial, family, work, or school, takes its toll. Sometimes it feels like we are not allowed to slow down, which can lead to self-neglect and an entire new list of things to stress about, such as trouble with weight management, depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc. So, I’m just going to say it: taking care of yourself is not selfish. You’re putting a lot of energy into a variety of outlets and sometimes it’s a necessity to take time to recharge your own battery and stop putting yourself on the back-burner. We want you to relax and reenergize yourself, so we compiled several self-care destinations in Evansville to help you do just that. The first and most important step for this self-care list is to put down your cellphone. Using social media and staring at the artificial light the phones produce has been shown to increase stress levels, therefore it has no place when you’re doing your self-care thing. This list ranges from massages to places to walk or sip a coffee, so hopefully—even if your stress comes from the financial side—there is a little bit of something for everyone here.
Paint something at Fired Up! or Painting With a Twist
For those who are needing a little bit more entertainment in their lives, there’s nothing quite like engaging with your creative side to reboot your energy levels. Even if you’re not artsy, focusing on creating something can take your mind off of your concerns. Whether you go by yourself or recruit a few friends to join you, Fired Up! and Painting With a Twist are great places for a little self-care.
Go for a walk along the riverbank or USI-Burdette Park Trail
They say that exercise is one of the best stress relievers, but sometimes it’s really hard to find the motivation to do it when you’ve already expended your energy elsewhere. However, Downtown, Newburgh, and Mt. Vernon have beautiful, scenic walking paths along the river, and it makes it feel not only doable, but enjoyable. The fresh air and exercise are wonderful ways to practice self-care, and taking the time to physically take care of yourself can do wonders for your feelings of stress. Best of all, walking/running costs exactly $0.
Take a cooking class at Thyme in the Kitchen
Some people enjoy learning a new skill as part of their self-care practice. Taking a cooking class at Thyme in the Kitchen is a smart way to take comfort in food without leading to dangerous habits. In fact, you even might find solace or a new calling in learning how to make a new dish from scratch.
Get a Spa Package at Ahh Spa
If you feel like you need a little extra pampering or need a chance to just relax, then treat yourself to a spa package from one of the many wonderful massage parlors here in Evansville. Ahh Spa is among the most highly rated and has packages that include anything from a facial, aromatherapy massage, sauna session, or therapeutic massage.
Sip a Coffee at Honey + Moon
I truly believe that coffee is actually the main source of energy that pumps through my body, and I feel like a lot of times I drink it because it’s a necessity to stay alive rather than a treat. Taking the time to actually enjoy and mindfully drink your coffee or tea is something you owe yourself and is an activity that you might find surprisingly relaxing.
Try a Yoga 101 class
Ahh meditation and mindfulness and a place where you absolutely cannot be within eyesight of your beloved phone. Yoga is one of the most popular forms of self-care and for good reason. Contrary to the pictures of yogis you might have been exposed to, you do not have to be flexible to be a yogi. Yoga is excellent for becoming in tuned with your body’s needs and becoming more mindful and present, which leads to improved methods of dealing with day to day stress. (PSA: there’s usually always a great Groupon deal for beginners at Yoga 101, it’s a great way to see if it’s something you’d like).
Treat yourself at Be Happy Pie Company
It literally says it all in its name: be happy. Occasionally indulging your sweet tooth at one of the many wonderful bakeries around Evansville can be considered a form of self-care.
Buy yourself a box of chocolate at Libs
Mike or Stephen Libs, that is the question. There’s not much that I enjoy more than crying over a nice box of chocolates. If you’re like me and occasionally need to throw a little pity party for yourself, then, like, invite me to join your party because we literally have the same self-care routine.
