Ok ladies and gentlemen, hang with me for a few.
Over the last seven years, as I’ve navigated my 30s, I’ve leaned into learning about myself and exploring what this whole phenomenon of self-love is really about. What I’ve discovered is that a major part of it comes down to self-care.
So what exactly is self-care?
It means mindfully and consistently nurturing all aspects of your wellbeing—spiritual, physical (where we tend to focus most), intellectual, relational, and emotional.
There are endless ways to practice self-care: workouts, therapy, stretching, food, faith, and everything in between. I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error, but I’ve finally found things that truly align with me and make me feel whole. And here’s the best part: once you find those things, new doors open—friendships, opportunities, and a sense of feeling better physically and mentally that trickles into every area of your confidence. I firmly believe the better you feel, the more you can pour into life and people in all the ways you hope to.
Recently, I spent some time in Bethesda with some friends at Soiree on The Lane and decided to return for a little self-care, since there are so many options in the same area. If you’re a DC/DMV native (or transplant), here are a few recommendations I loved in the Bethesda area but many of these businesses are in other areas too:
StretchLab
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to start stretching often. Years of soccer, weightlifting, cycling, and not stretching enough have made my muscles TIGHT. I tried a session at StretchLab (they offer an intro rate!) and loved it. They do an assessment and walk you through a plan before your one-on-one session begins. They use a “push and release” style of stretching. Pro tip: it is required to bring grippy socks. I’d love to go weekly, but realistically I’ll make it twice a month.
Heyday
I’ve become a strong advocate for monthly facials. Over the past six months, I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in my skin’s radiance, especially now that I’m in the latter half of my 30s. The treatments are fully customized, last about an hour, and you can choose between a flexible membership or pay-as-you-go sessions.
Equinox
Sometimes my self-care looks like sitting in the steam room without even working out. They also offer great classes (I took a vinyasa yoga class and loved it) as well as full gym access if you prefer to do your own thing.
Food
Fueling our bodies with whole foods is another huge part of self-care. In Bethesda, I sampled two juices from Puree (SO good!) and grabbed lunch at Sweetgreen. Their Hot Honey Chicken salad with extra greens is my go-to.
What I love most about DC and the surrounding DMV neighborhoods is how each community continues to expand its self-care offerings. Bethesda is just one example—with so many new options popping up, it really reminded me how important it is to make time for the activities and practices that help us feel like our best selves.
I hope this article inspires you to do something just for you, whether it’s a simple walk, stretching at home, booking a facial, or anything in between. We all deserve to feel our best!
