50 Simple Self-Care Ideas
by Jaclyn Rink, MSCP, LLP
I hear it every day, “Jaclyn, I don’t have time for self-care.” With our lives being as busy as they are, I can completely understand this. We are trying to simultaneously juggle kids, a household, our jobs, our friends, school, family members, our social lives, relationships & marriages, our health.. and the list can go on and on. Sounds exhausting, right? Right. And you’re living that way every…single…day.
What would happen if you never stopped to put gas in your car? You would eventually come to a screeching halt. What would happen if you put a quarter tank of gas in? You would go a few miles, but not very far. What happens over time if you neglect to get regular oil changes and tune-ups? Your car starts to function differently, more problems arise, and you end up spending more money in the long run.
I’m guessing you understand the metaphor here. You are the car, and self-care is the gas. It’s about time that you make filling up your emotional gas tank a priority. Without it, we are unable to function at our best, and we won’t make it very far when it comes to reaching our goals and fulfilling our responsibilities. We give so much to everyone else in our lives, when do we start to return the favor to ourselves? When we begin to do that, we actually find that we can give more of ourselves to others, because we have more to give. The fuller the tank, the farther we can drive. Those who struggle to make time for self-care often see the effects of this in their physical, social and emotional health (aka: panic attacks, chronic fatigue, irritability, anxiety, arguments, inefficiencies, etc.)
So in an attempt to begin integrating self-care into your daily (yes, I said it) daily routine, here is a list of 50 simple ideas! Some of them you can even do while you’re standing outside filling up your (literal) gas tank.
50 Simple Self Care Ideas:
1. Catch up with friends that support you
2. Find 5 nice things to say about yourself
3. Experiment with a new recipe
4. Exercise (20 minutes is all you need to boost your mood)
5. Buy yourself some flowers or house plants to take care of
6. Find a quiet spot to meditate
7. Say “no” today to allow yourself more rest
8. Drink your recommended amount of water today (approx. 12 cups for women, 15 for men)
9. Make a gratitude list
10. Practice deep breathing
11. Create and listen to a playlist of your favorite tunes
12. Forgive yourself for something you’ve been struggling with, practice self-compassion
13. Ask for help today
14. Take a bath or a long shower
15. Write a letter to someone you love
16. Join a support group; get connected with others who struggle with similar difficulties
17. Eat a healthy meal full of colors
18. Watch your favorite show or movie
19. Practice mindfulness for 10 minutes; do one thing at a time
20. Try an adult coloring book
21. Read a book
22. Look back on old photos, remember a good memory
23. Take a 24 hour social media break
24. Play a brain game on your phone
25. Get 8 hours of sleep
26. Practice a new or old skill
27. Light an aromatic candle
28. Spend some time with your pets
29. Make your own “coffee break”
30. Identify a habit that no longer serves you and take one step today to help you drop it
31. Spend time in nature
32. Take steps to tame negative thoughts when they arise today
33. Make a vision board (even if it’s on Pinterest!)
34. Have a mini pampering session (e.g., at home face mask)
35. Do something creative
36. Declutter a space
37. Try journaling
38. Clean up your phone
39. Limit your consumptions of bad news
40. Set a boundary with someone who is hurting you
41. Explore a new interest
42. Listen to a podcast episode
43. Practice imagery of a relaxing place
44. Engage in a small act of kindness
45. Indulge in a desert
46. Diffuse essential oils
47. Take a 20 minute nap
48. Express your feelings today
49. Say “yes” to something outside your comfort zone
50. Go to therapy! This is a my favorite way to spend some time focusing on yourself (yes, I am biased).
