One of the best things about living in a city is that there’s always something to do. From restaurants to comedy shows to tons of outdoor adventures in the summer, you can always find a way to keep yourself busy.

In the middle of all that busy — balancing a career with a social life — taking care of yourself can often take a backseat. Here are some self-care tips to ensure that you’re working towards a healthy balance.

1. Schedule time for yourself

Although it can be great to hang out with friends, make sure you schedule some time to be with yourself as well. If you’ve been going out every weekend, maybe pass for a night and spend time resting at home or doing something you enjoy.

2. Read a book (or other hobby)

If you like reading, make some time to sit down and read with no other distractions. If reading isn’t your thing, think about other hobbies you enjoy and find a way to fit them into your schedule.

3. Exercise 

The benefits of exercise are undisputed, but often the most common excuse is that “there’s just not enough time.” In order to make sure you get that heart pumping, make an actual appointment in your calendar. That way you know not to schedule anything in that hour and you’re able to ensure that you have time for fitness.

4. Write 

There’s something different that happens when you put pen to paper. It’s one thing to talk about what’s going on with someone and also to ruminate in your head, but the physical act of writing activates a different part of the brain. Even if you don’t think you have anything to write about, you’d be surprised at how much comes out once you start.

5. Take a bath

A bath is a staple of self-care. Take some time, lather up the suds, light some candles, and enjoy a tub full of relaxation. You can make it as long or as short as you like, but let that water wash your cares away.

6. Meditate

With the chaos of our daily lives, it can be very hard to silence our thoughts and slow down. Meditation has been proven to be helpful in the lives of many, but how do you do it and where do you start? Apps such as  Headspace  do a great job of walking you through guided meditation, starting with short periods of time and working your way up.

7. Treat yourself 

One way to show self-care is to show yourself that you’re appreciated. Take some time out of your day to take yourself shopping, to lunch, a movie, anything that you enjoy doing but might not normally do solo. Remember, you’re worth it!

8. Sleep

This is probably the most important tip on the list. When life gets busy, one of the first things we sacrifice is sleep. Sleep is crucial not only for physical health, but mental and emotional as well. A good night’s sleep will make a WORLD of difference, so make sure you make it a priority.

What are some of your self-care tips?

Share some of them below in the comments.