Self care is any activity you do to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. It's about being kind to yourself and giving yourself what you need to feel good and function well.
What is Self Care?
Self care is not selfish or indulgent. It's necessary for your well-being and helps you be your best self for yourself and others. When you take care of yourself, you have more energy, patience, and positivity to share with the world.
"Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel." - Eleanor Brownn
Types of Self Care
Self care can include:
- Physical activities and exercise
- Eating nutritious foods
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing stress
- Building positive relationships
- Practicing self-care activities
- Learning and growing
- Taking care of your mental health
Physical Self Care Ideas
Daily Physical Self Care
- Drink a glass of water when you wake up
- Take a warm shower or bath
- Brush your teeth and wash your face
- Get dressed in clothes that make you feel good
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Take vitamins or supplements
- Stretch for 5-10 minutes
- Go for a short walk
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep
- Wash your hands regularly
Weekly Physical Self Care
- Exercise for 30 minutes (walk, dance, yoga, etc.)
- Cook a healthy meal from scratch
- Get a massage or give yourself one
- Take a long, relaxing bath
- Go to bed early one night
- Try a new physical activity
- Spend time in nature
- Do some gentle stretching or yoga
- Get some sunlight
- Take care of your skin with a face mask
Mental Self Care Ideas
Daily Mental Self Care
- Practice deep breathing for 5 minutes
- Write in a journal
- Read something inspiring
- Limit social media time
- Practice gratitude (write down 3 things you're grateful for)
- Take breaks from work or screens
- Listen to calming music
- Do a crossword puzzle or brain game
- Practice mindfulness for a few minutes
- Set boundaries with your time and energy
Weekly Mental Self Care
- Read a book for pleasure
- Learn something new (online course, tutorial, etc.)
- Practice meditation
- Write a letter to yourself
- Do a digital detox for a few hours
- Practice positive self-talk
- Set goals for the week
- Reflect on your accomplishments
- Practice saying "no" to things you don't want to do
- Spend time in quiet reflection
Emotional Self Care Ideas
Daily Emotional Self Care
- Check in with your emotions
- Express your feelings (talk, write, or create)
- Be kind to yourself when you make mistakes
- Practice self-compassion
- Allow yourself to feel your emotions without judgment
- Do something that makes you smile
- Give yourself permission to rest
- Celebrate small wins
- Forgive yourself for past mistakes
- Remind yourself of your worth
Weekly Emotional Self Care
- Have a good cry if you need to
- Practice forgiveness (for yourself and others)
- Do something creative (art, music, writing)
- Spend time with people who make you feel good
- Practice self-love affirmations
- Let go of things you can't control
- Express gratitude to someone important to you
- Do something that challenges you in a good way
- Practice being present in the moment
- Allow yourself to be imperfect
Social Self Care Ideas
Daily Social Self Care
- Send a text to a friend or family member
- Give someone a genuine compliment
- Smile at a stranger
- Have a meaningful conversation with someone
- Practice active listening
- Express appreciation to someone
- Connect with someone online in a positive way
- Be kind to service workers
- Share something positive on social media
- Practice empathy and understanding
Weekly Social Self Care
- Call or video chat with a loved one
- Plan a fun activity with friends or family
- Join a club or group that interests you
- Volunteer for a cause you care about
- Have a deep conversation with someone
- Spend quality time with people you love
- Practice setting healthy boundaries in relationships
- Express your needs and feelings clearly
- Be vulnerable with someone you trust
- Practice forgiveness in your relationships
Quick Self Care Ideas (5 Minutes or Less)
When you're short on time, these quick self care activities can still make a big difference:
- Take 5 deep breaths
- Drink a glass of water
- Stretch your arms and shoulders
- Look out the window and notice something beautiful
- Say one thing you're grateful for out loud
- Give yourself a hug
- Listen to one favorite song
- Smile at yourself in the mirror
- Take a few sips of tea or coffee mindfully
- Do a quick body scan (notice how each part of your body feels)
How to Make Self Care a Habit
Making self care a regular part of your life takes practice. Here are some tips:
- Start small: Begin with just 5-10 minutes a day for self care
- Be consistent: Choose a regular time and place to practice
- Make it easy: Choose activities that don't require much preparation
- Be flexible: Adapt your self care to your schedule and needs
- Don't judge yourself: Some days you'll do more, some days less
- Find what works for you: Everyone's self care looks different
- Be patient: It takes time to build new habits
- Celebrate progress: Acknowledge when you take care of yourself
When to Seek Help
If you're having trouble with self care or feeling constantly stressed, it might be helpful to talk to a professional. Consider seeking help if:
- You feel stressed or anxious most of the time
- Self care activities aren't helping
- Stress is affecting your work, relationships, or daily life
- You're having trouble sleeping or eating
- You feel overwhelmed or unable to cope
A therapist or counselor can help you learn more self care techniques and address any underlying issues that might be causing stress.
Remember
Self care is not selfish or lazy- it's essential for your health and happiness. Everyone deserves to feel calm and peaceful. Start with just a few minutes each day, and be kind to yourself as you learn what works best for you. With practice, self care can become a natural part of your life that helps you feel better every day.