Last week, I talked about boundaries and how they’re integral to practicing self-care. This week, I’d like to share some self-care practices that will serve you now and throughout the entire year:
- Put your to-do list away and don’t think about it until tomorrow
- Turn off your phone
- Step away from your computer
- Take a bath (my favorite way is by candlelight)
- Read for pleasure
- Watch guilty-pleasure television
- Sing along to your favorite song
- Dance around your living room
- Watch comedy and laugh your ass off
- Treat yourself to a minute of decadence: suck on a peppermint, strawberry, or square of dark chocolate and savor it from first bite until the last iota of flavor melts away
- Plan (and take) a “personal day” or artist date
- Go for a walk or a run—if it’s something you want to do versus feel you have to do
- Sit outside and soak up your environment
- Watch a sunset or sunrise
- Meditate, even for just 3 minutes
- Breathe deeply and consciously
- Take a nap
- Go to the beach, the mountains, or the park
- Take a hike
- Play with your pet
- Sleep in
- Snuggle with your partner
- Give and get hugs
- Get a massage
- Get a manicure or pedicure
- Schedule a spa day, at home or the spa
- Journal, particularly first thing in the morning
- Savor a cup of tea or coffee
- Sit at a coffee shop and people watch
- Stretch
- Practice yoga
- Get crafty
- Browse in your favorite store. No purchases necessary!
- Cuddle something small, like a kitten or a baby
- Clean out your closet
- Purge anything that stresses you more than uplifts you (e-mail newsletters, friend lists, social media accounts)
- Take yourself out to breakfast, lunch, or dinner
- Try something new
- Connect with a friend
- Cook or bake something
- Create a gratitude list or journal
- Go on an adventure. It’s more of a mindset than an activity.
- Do something you loved to do as a child
- Draw, doodle, or color
- Take a class
- Solve a puzzle
- Play a game
- Ease into your mornings, with a self-care morning ritual
- Buy yourself a little something that makes you smile, like fresh-cut flowers
- Ask for help if you need it
However you choose to practice self-care, make sure you’re doing something you want to do, something that makes you feel good while you’re doing it and after you’re done. Taking care of yourself works best when it feeds your soul, not when it’s another “should” on your to-do list.
If you like this list, please like it or share it. If I missed anything, please share your favorite way to practice self care in the comments.
Cheers,
Massage Photo Credit: whl.travel via Compfight cc
