90 Self Care Ideas to get you started!
This month has been all about self care! With September being #SelfCareSeptember, we've been talking all about what self care is and how to incorporate it into your life.
Self care is something that is supposed to add goodness to your life. To make you feel yummy, nourished, and happy. It should add feelings of beauty, joy, and peace. Even make you feel fulfilled and taken care of!
If something elicits feelings of guilt, unhappiness or stress it really isn’t self care at all. That’s so important to remember as you begin to create new and nourishing self care routines in your daily life.
Remember, even a few minutes can do a world of good! It doesn't need to be expensive, time consuming, or fancy to be self care. Even taking 2 minutes to do some deep breathing in your car after grocery shopping is self care. It's all about what feels good to YOU!
Below is a list of 90 self care ideas to get you started! Should you do all of them?? Only if you want to! But you don’t have to… This list was designed to help you get your mind working. Think of it as a brainstorm. Use this as a starting point.
I recommend reading through them all and circling or highlighting 10-15 things that stand out to you. Things that sound fun, relaxing, and like something you really want in your life.
Then have a look at your calendar and try to do at least one each week for the next few weeks! If you can do more without adding stress to your life then great, but it’s better to have few things that feel good than too many that feel frenzied.
Have fun, get creative and enjoy!
Go for a walk in nature
Take 5 minutes to read a book of your choice
Listen to a podcast episode or audio book
Buy yourself some flowers
Put on your favourite music and dance
Cook yourself a nutritious meal or snack
Enjoy a mindful cup of tea
Get down on the floor and stretch your muscles for a few minutes
Meet a friend for lunch or coffee
Put on a diffuser with some relaxing essential oils
Jazz up your water with lemon, lime, ginger or cucumber for a day
Read a trashy magazine
Have a bath with epsom salts and essential oils
Take a few hours to catch up on your favourite tv shows
Get a manicure (either at home or at a spa)
Get a facial (either at home or at a spa)
Get a massage (either at home or at a spa)
Meditate using an app or Youtube video
Go on a vacation
Get outside and enjoy the season! Go for a bike ride, swim, or walk through your city
Go to bed one hour early or allow yourself to sleep late
Call a friend and catch up
Play a board game or a card game with a friend
Go for an acupuncture or chiropractic treatment
Put yourself on a 1 hour technology time out and tune back into yourself
Journal three things you’re grateful for in this moment (do it daily for bonus points!)
Put some time aside to sit and enjoy the sunrise or sunset
Snuggle a pet or child for a few minutes (your own… don’t steal anyone else’s!)
Take 5 minutes to do some deep breathing and calm your mind & body
Do oil pulling first thing in the morning
Dry brush your whole body
Touch yourself (yep, I mean like THAT!) and enjoy the feelings & sensations of your body
Give back and volunteer your time for a good cause
Watch a stand up comedy act and laugh! (live or on tv)
Take 5 minutes to do some grounding exercises
Do some meal prep for the week ahead to reduce stress and stay organized
Start each day with a big glass of warm lemon water
Plan a big night out with some friends
Declutter your social media: unfollow accounts that don’t add happiness or joy to your life
Go to the movies alone and watch something you’ve been dying to see
Get a pedicure
Book a session with a professional who can help you deal with challenging situations or feelings
Write a list of 10 people you’re grateful for and why (people you know personally, family members, friends, world leaders, etc.)
Join a club or meetup group to meet like-minded people in your area
Clean out your closet and give away some old clothes to charity
Get all dressed up including hair, makeup, etc just for yourself
Go to the park or beach and have a picnic, even if it's by yourself
Lock yourself in your room and cry if you want to
Try cooking a brand new recipe you think sounds delicious but haven’t gotten around to
Read your favourite blog
Create a vision board and hang it in a space it will inspire you daily
Do a jigsaw puzzle
Indulge in your favourite sweet treat guilt free!
Plan what you'd do if you won the lottery (allow yourself to dream big!
Declutter and organize the space you spend the most time in
Take a few minutes to do some EFT (also known as tapping. Check out the video to learn more!)
Take a social media break for an entire weekend
Enjoy an afternoon at your local art gallery or museum
Create your own bucket list and dream big!
Write down all of things you want to have accomplished over the next 10 years
Go to a bar and strike up a conversation with someone using a made up persona
Say “no” to something you feel pressured to agree to
Go for a brisk walk or jog to get your heart rate pumping
Create a new uplifting music playlist
Go shopping and buy an outfit you feel fabulous in
Order in dinner instead of having to cook & clean up
Write a letter to someone in your life you need to forgive - even if it’s yourself
Call someone you’re grateful for and tell them
Get your hair cut & styled
Go for a drive without a plan or destination
Have sex
Learn to speak a new language
Try a new physical activity like boxing, belly dancing, rock climbing or zumba
Take a nap
Turn on some music and sing at the top of your lungs
Exfoliate your whole body then moisturize with a beautiful, luxurious cream
Do some creative writing: imagine a scenario and let yourself get carried away in it
Go to a cafe, get a delicious drink and enjoy the atmosphere
Create some affirmations to help put you in a positive headspace
Go skinny dipping
Be naughty and play hookie from everything for a day (work, making the bed, laundry, the to-do list)
Do something creative like drawing, painting, or scrapbooking
Stop and smell the roses. Literally find some flowers at your local botanical garden or park and enjoy them!
Give yourself a foot soak, scrub, and moisturize
Sit in a quiet spot - a front porch, balcony, yard, wherever - and just sit. Be still. No phone allowed.
Watch cute animal videos on Youtube
Go on a day trip to somewhere that inspires you
Take a long, hot shower by candlelight and picture all of your stress flowing off your body and down the drain
Find something that inspires you: a blog, Instagram account, a self-help book, or a new activity and incorporate it into your life
Write yourself a thank you letter for all that you are, all that you do, and all that you’re becoming
Happy Self Care September!
Katie xx