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If you currently feel like you need to hit the reset button and refocus on your mental health before you meet your breaking point, you aren’t alone. It’s tough to take care of ourselves, especially with all the responsibilities we juggle: home, family, work, pets, bills, and a career. The mere thought of adding on another task, such as self care, can seem daunting. After all, where in the world are you going to find the extra couple of minutes to take care of yourself? The struggle is real. We see you. Fortunately, self care doesn’t have to be this big, extravagant experience. While trendy detoxes and fancy saunas are nice, the real focus should be on sustainable self care that goes a bit deeper than the typical bubble baths and face mask. Although, we do love a good mini pamper sesh. But for the sake of healing and releasing all of the emotional baggage we’re carrying, let’s explore self care ideas that will have a long-lasting impact on our overall mental health.
What is Self Care?
Is it just some trendy buzzword or fad that people praise on Sundays or does true self care have a bit more heart to it? Well, self-care can be any form of deliberate practice that tends to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s about recognizing your needs and taking proactive steps to address them, so you can function at your best.
Self care activities comes in many shapes and forms, and the act of self care can look different for each person. As a general rule of thumb, you want to fill your self care routine with self care ideas that cater to the following categories:
- Emotional health
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Spiritual health
Benefits of Self Care
Self care activities aren’t just about how they make you feel in the moment. While that’s undeniably one of the things that keeps us wanting to invest our time and energy practicing them, there also are many long-term benefits to look forward to. From lower stress levels and reduced anxiety to better physical health, stronger emotional resilience and an overall happier life, self care takes care of you now and later.
Let’s explore some of the most common and popular benefits of self care:
1. Better Physical Health
Engaging in regular self-care activities has shown to produce significant improvements in one’s physical health 1. Activities like exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep strengthen the body, boost the immune system, and increase energy levels.
Regular physical activity, whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, or a full workout, also helps maintain a healthy weight, improves cardiovascular health, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Adequate sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate, promoting better overall health and enhancing cognitive functions.
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2. Improved Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
Self-care practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and journaling can significantly enhance mental health and emotional well-being. Mindfulness and meditation can calm the mind, reduce the negative effects of stress, and enhance mental clarity and focus. Journaling provides a therapeutic outlet for expressing emotions and reflecting on personal experiences, leading to greater self-awareness and emotional balance and emotional resilience 2.
3. Stronger, Healthier Relationships
Taking time for self-care can improve your relationships with others too 3. When you prioritize your own well-being, you are more likely to have the energy, patience, and emotional capacity to engage positively with others.
Self-care also helps you set healthy boundaries, communicate more effectively, and nurture your relationships. So, by taking care of yourself, you become a better partner, friend, and family member, thus creating deeper and more meaningful connections.
4. Increased Productivity and Focus
Self-care activities can boost productivity and focus by reducing burnout and enhancing mental clarity. Taking regular breaks, practicing time management, and engaging in activities that rejuvenate the mind and body can improve concentration and efficiency. When you prioritize self-care, you are better equipped to manage your tasks and responsibilities, leading to increased productivity and a greater sense of accomplishment 4.
5. Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence
Engaging in self-care activities can enhance self-esteem and confidence. Taking time to care for yourself sends a powerful message that you value and respect yourself. This positive self-regard can improve your self-image and increase your confidence in various aspects of life. Whether it’s through physical self-care, like grooming and dressing well, or emotional self-care, like practicing self-compassion, these actions reinforce your sense of self-worth.
6. Stress Reduction
Self-care is a powerful tool for stress management. Activities like deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and hobbies can help reduce the physical and mental effects of stress. By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Effective stress management through self-care can prevent burnout and improve overall quality of life.
7. Enhanced Creativity
Self-care can also boost creativity by providing the mental space and relaxation needed for creative thinking 5. Engaging in activities that inspire and relax you, such as reading, painting, or spending time in nature, can stimulate your imagination and enhance your creative abilities. By giving yourself time to unwind and explore new ideas, you can promote innovation and creative problem-solving in various areas of your life.
8. Prevention of Illness
Regular self-care can prevent illness by promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing the impact of stress on the body. Activities like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions. Additionally, managing stress through self-care can prevent stress-related illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, and mental health disorders.
9. Improved Quality of Life
Ultimately, the practice of self-care leads to an improved quality of life 6. By taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional needs, you can experience greater happiness, fulfillment, and life satisfaction. Self-care enables you to live a balanced and healthy life, where you can pursue your goals, enjoy meaningful relationships, and engage in activities that bring you joy.
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50+ Soothing Self Care Ideas
Now let’s move onto the good stuff: the soothing self care ideas you can do to start filling your life and health with health and happiness. The first step in creating a personalized self care routine, or simply choosing some self care activities to do, is to assess your needs. Reflect on areas of your life that require more attention and determine what self care activities can address those needs.
Then, setting realistic and achievable self care goals to help you stay motivated and committed to your self care routine. Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase the complexity as you become more comfortable. This might look like trying one new self care idea each week or every day or the week. This is your journey; you make the rules.
So,whether you’re on an physical health journey or looking to improve your emotional and mental wellbeing, these self care ideas should give you the dopamine boost, relaxation and rejuvenation you’re looking for.
Physical Self Care Ideas
Let’s face it: life can be exhausting, and taking care of our physical health often falls to the bottom of our to-do lists. But when we make the effort to nurture our bodies, the rewards are undeniable. Physical self-care isn’t about rigid workout schedules or restrictive diets; it’s about finding enjoyable ways to move, fuel, and rest our bodies. Whether it’s a leisurely walk in the park, trying out a new healthy recipe, or simply getting enough sleep, these small steps can make a big difference. Here are some physical self care ideas that are easy to integrate into your daily life and that will help you feel more energetic, vibrant, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
- Try an online yoga class
- Go for a nature walk
- Aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day
- Reduce sugary snacks and drinks
- Spend the day gardening
- Get a massage
- Decorate with some indoor plants
- Spend the afternoon reading a good book
- Stretch it out
- Sleep with a weighted blanket
- Treat yourself to a bubble bath with therapeutic essential oils or epsom salts
- Express yourself creatively with painting, drawing or knitting
- Do a vigorous, sweaty, heart-pumping workout
- Turn on some himalayan salt lamps in your home
- Curl up with a blanket and do absolutely nothing
- Go on a day trip
- Plan a fun activity with people who fill your bucket
- Create a consistent bedtime routine (yes, and stick with it on weekends too)
- Scream into a pillow
- Do a body scan
- Try progressive muscle relaxation
- Have a dance party at home (solo or with friends)
- Plan a fun vacation
- Use a reflexology roller or massager to release tension
- Sleep in
- Eat a nutritious breakfast
- Book an acupuncture appointment
Mental and Emotional Self Care Ideas
When life gets busy, our mental health and emotional well-being often take a backseat. But taking the time to nurture our minds and hearts is just as important as caring for our bodies. Mental and emotional self-care involves practices that help us manage stress, process our emotions, and maintain a positive mindset. Here are a variety of mental and emotional self-care ideas that can help you stay balanced and resilient, even on the toughest days.
Set aside time to meditate
- Make your bed
- Integrate mindfulness into your day
- Strive to breathe from the belly instead of the chest
- Take a digital breathwork class
- Journal about your day before you go to bed to
- Take the free assessment and start online therapy
- Repeat 5 things you’re grateful for each morning and night
- Declutter your space
- Create a calming environment with candles
- Listen to calming music
- Plan an at-home spa day
- Hum to your favourite tune to activate your vagus nerve
- Challenge your negative thinking
- Visualize your happy place with guided imagery
- Take a mental health day
- Turn into binaural tones to rewire your brain
- Do a digital detox
- Do a workbook for mental health
- Practice breathing techniques
- Do some random acts of kindness
- Repeat positive affirmations
- Unfollow people on social media that don’t make you feel good
- Listen to an uplifting podcast
- Take a guilt-free nap
- Start a therapy journal to release your thoughts and emotions
- Create a vision board
Final Words
Starting a self care journey may seem daunting, but the benefits are well worth the effort. Begin with small, manageable steps and gradually build a routine that works for you. Remember, self care is a continuous process that requires attention and commitment. So, stick with it and you will see some serious improvements in your physical, emotional and mental health, as well as your relationships.
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FAQs
- How can I find time for self care in a busy schedule?
Finding time for self care involves prioritizing it just like any other important task. Schedule self care activities into your day and treat them as non-negotiable appointments. - What are some affordable self care activities?
Affordable self care activities include taking nature walks, practicing yoga at home, reading, and engaging in hobbies like gardening or painting. - How can self care help with stress and anxiety?
Self care activities such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, and regular exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and emotional resilience. - What are some self care ideas for parents?
Parents can incorporate self care by setting aside time for themselves, asking for help with childcare, and finding activities that help them relax and recharge, such as reading or taking a bath. - Why is it important to set boundaries for self care?
Setting boundaries is important for self care because it helps you protect your time and energy, allowing you to focus on activities that promote your well-being and prevent burnout. - How can I create a relaxing environment at home?
Create a relaxing environment at home by decluttering your space, adding calming elements like plants or candles, and designating a specific area for relaxation and self care activities.
Additional Resources
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Self Care Infographics
- Harvard Health Publishing. (n.d.). The importance of exercise for health. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-exercise
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Stress management and emotional health. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11874-stress
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). How to improve your relationship with self-care. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/healthy-relationships/art-20044860
- National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). The impact of self-care on productivity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5431124/
- Psychology Today. (2016, January). How self-care boosts creativity. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creativity-without-borders/201601/self-care-and-creativity
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mental health and quality of life. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
