Self-Care Ideas
Self-care has become a buzzword, often associated with facemasks or bath bombs. However, self-care can mean different things for different people.
Here are some self-care practices you can incorporate into your daily routine:
Meditate or pray. Meditation can be done in just a few minutes of extra free time or even before bedtime or when you wake up in the morning. These specific times allow for you to reflect on your day or set your intention for the day to come.
Call up a friend or relative that you haven’t spoken to in a while. Catch up and see what’s been going on in their life. Share what’s been going on in yours.
Get moving! Whether this means walking instead of driving or mustering up the energy to go for a jog after work, physical activity is a great self-care practice. Find a form of exercise that you love and do it! Try to think about exercising your body because you love the effects of what it can do, instead of solely working out to try and change your body or lose weight.
Start a journal or bullet journal. Trackers and creating lists within a bullet journal can also serve as a creative outlet. Get some colorful pens or markers and see where your thoughts take you. Studies confirm that the emotional release from journaling lowers anxiety and stress and improves physical health.
Clean up your workspace or areas that are cluttered. Getting rid of unnecessary items can help you destress. If items are still in good condition, consider donating them! Clean space is linked to more positive overall mental health.
Prepare for tomorrow the night before. This will help alleviate some stress you may feel rushing to get out of the house in the morning. Some preparation the night before can go a long way and will allow you to have a more relaxing morning before your day starts.
Learn to say no. Overcommitting your time can leave you feeling overwhelmed and drained. Even if your time is technically unoccupied, it’s okay to want time for yourself to decompress. The more you practice saying no, the easier it gets.
Get outside. Try to spend some time in nature; it can help you process your thoughts, feelings, and is a good setting for intentional mindfulness.
Laugh! Laughter has proven benefits for overall mood, as well as physical and mental health. Laughter boosts the endorphins in your brain, helping you to enjoy the good things. Try and find something that makes you have a good belly laugh every single day.
Do something you are great at. This may include writing, creating or playing music, cooking a meal, or even simply making others laugh. Doing things that you enjoy and working to get even better at them is a way to find purpose and motivation.
Self-care doesn’t have to mean splurging on pricey spa trips or devoting hours to meditation. Self-care should be another way of taking care of yourself. In the same way that you take care of your hygiene every day, make sure you’re making time for self-care, whether that means taking a few minutes to journal or setting your intention when you wake up.
