70 Ways For Self Care
Self care is an act of loving yourself.
Any act of self care is to nourish your mind, body or spirit. Whatever it is, you do something nurturing. You don’t put off from taking a needed break or having some me-time. You create a better relationship with self.
Self care is taking care of your inner home. And obviously, you do not wreck yourself apart when you undertake self-care. This means that you don’t give excuses for feeling tired, crying or going for an expensive pedicure. You please yourself rather than others. Very importantly, you do not experience guilt, shame or blame. So it may mean eating more, less or having an indulgence every now and then. You take a balanced approach to overall holistic well-being.
When taking care of a home, you would clear out the rubbish, clean, scrub, make it comfortable and beautify it. You feel nourished from within. There are many ways that you can undertake self care.
Here are 70 Mind-Body-Spirit Ways for Self Care….
1. Have a pampering massage. Book a session with a therapist instead of sitting on a massage chair. Get an hour-long full body massage for complete relaxation of your tense muscles.
2. Learn to say no. So you have been feeling overwhelmed because you are in the habit of saying yes to all kinds of requests? Learn to say no if you need some time and attention for yourself.
3. Meditate. This is my favorite tip! I enjoy being in a peaceful sanctuary, away from the noise, crowd and clutter. So whenever I am feeling tense, I would retreat into silence for a while. I practice breath meditation, allowing me to relax my mind. Consider incorporating this tip as part of your regular routine too! For starter tips, read How to Meditate for Beginners.
4. Have healthy meals. If you have been eating way too much over Christmas, New Year or any festive period, then give your body a break. For physical self care, go easy on the meats and eat more of the greens.
5. Have a snack. It’s okay to indulge every once in a while, especially when you have already been pretty good at sticking to a healthy diet regime. Go snack if it makes you feel good – even if it is potato chips! Just know when to stop!
6. Wear comfortable clothes. Forget the skimpy G-string! Wear big comfortable undies. It is self care to go comfortable!
7. Take a warm bath. Don’t just take a quick shower but soak yourself in a long and relaxing bath. You would feel rejuvenated for sure!
8. Go offline. Reduce mental clutter by going off the internet for a day or even a week. Self care is to be able to get away from all the distractions.
9. Switch off your handphone. Just for a day or two, take a break from answering calls or responding to smses. It’s okay! The world won’t collapse without you.
10. Take an afternoon nap. If you are feeling tired during the day, take a nap. No excuses are needed, even if you end up sleeping way longer than what is considered a power nap.
11. Pick up a new hobby. It’s not about work all the time. Pick up a new hobby to nurture your soul. A crafty hobby, for instance, is about aligning yourself with “creative” energies.
12. Watch a funny movie. Heard of the phrase, “laughter is the best medicine”? A silly or funny show can just do the trick in helping you loosen up!
13. Journal. Writing your thoughts and feelings in your diary or on a blog is self care therapy that does not cost you a single cent.
14. Take walks in the park. Another of my favorite tip. Spend time in a botanical garden of smiling orchids and experience wellness right away.
15. Do yoga. Yoga is a mind-body-spirit practice that helps you feel centered. Through appropriate yoga postures, you get to balance your chakras, stretch for exercise and experience a sense of connection with the universe.
16. Sing or listen to music. Singing is a vocal expression of your heart. It allows you to connect with your feelings. Putting on some music can also help you to get in touch with your soul.
17. Catch up with an old friend. Set aside some time to catch up for idle chit chat. Look up an old friend and laugh over old times.
18. Read comics. Comics make us think and laugh. Some offer a wonderful escape into an imaginary world, while others take us back to our childhood.
19. Sleep in on Sunday. It’s nice to be able to sleep in rather than wake up in a rush. It’s one of my favourite self care tips!
20. Write poetry. Expressing yourself through poetry is making music out of your thoughts and feelings.
21. Go for a card reading. Angelic or goddesses cards have nurturing messages.
22. Do a detoxification cleanse. If you have been feeling lethargic, consider doing a cleansing routine. A detoxification cleanse helps to remove toxins, making you feel “lighter”, more energized and less tired. Take care of your inner home with self care.
23. Use aromatherapy. Use scent therapy to invoke the right mood, release your tension or simply to clear the air of toxins. Get therapeutic-grade essential oils from here.
24. Remove physical clutter. Having excessive physical clutter around can weigh you down. Clear your desk to make some space. Throw away things that can no longer be used. And most certainly, give away your old clothes to the needy.
25. Play some music. Play the piano, violin or any musical instrument that allows you to lose yourself in the moment.
26. Get a babysitter. Caring for your baby is important but it does not hurt to take a few hours off for some needed rest.
27. Reduce alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol to make you forget your worries is a short-sighted measure. Getting intoxicated does not erase your problems. Having clarity, on the other hand, helps.
28. Get some cleaning help. Take a break from having to do ironing or washing that dirty pile of plates in your kitchen sink. Hire help.
29. Go to the beach. Let the sea breeze work its magic on you. Feel the sand from below your feet. Get a lift in your spirits after a trip to the beach.
30. Have a delicious scoop or two of chocolate ice-cream – my favorite tip anytime!
31. Read a book. It always feels nice to curl up in a nice comfortable chair to read a great book from start to finish. For obvious reasons, my favourite book is the one below….
32. Scrapbook. Instead of simply creating scrapbook albums for photos, I have been using scrapbook ideas to make collections of inspirational quotes and sayings. It’s how I create my vision boards using scrapbook ideas too 🙂
33. Flip through albums of old photographs. Old photos invoke happy memories. I enjoy going through my travel albums. Looking at my pictures – whether they are taken in Alaska, Mexico, Spain, England or Japan – makes me smile.
34. Bake a cake. Baking or cooking, for that matter, can be therapeutic. My husband enjoys cooking up a storm every once in a while.
35. Express appreciation for your blessings. Learn how to start a gratitude journal here.
36. Swing on a swing. There is something about swings that make many of us feel free, young and loving life!
37. Go for a swim. Whether we choose to take a dip or swim laps, being in the water makes us feel refreshed and revitalised. Which reminds me. I need to make use of the condominium pool downstairs more often!
38. Try retail therapy. It’s always nice to give yourself a treat every now and then. Once again, no excuses needed! Don’t stinge on yourself by buying presents for your children or others only. Buy something lovely for yourself, like a new shade of lipstick for instance!
39. Play with young children. Being around young children can bring out your child-like side. In case you are wondering, you have always had this side in you. Being child-like is to be who you are, without a worry in the world.
40. Paint. Painting is therapeutic self-care that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. The last time you painted may have been years ago, when you were little. You awaken the creative streak in you that has long been forgotten.
41. Dance. Dancing can be a form of relaxation for some. My daughter loves to dance in front of the mirror when no one is looking…ha. Forget about trying to master the moonwalk, just dance – with wild abandonment.
42. Pick up nature photography. Don’t just take family portraits or posed pictures, capture nature in its raw beauty. As you view through your lens, keep a record of the moments that take your breath away.
43. Listen to personal development audio tapes for self care. There are audios that you can purchase to build self esteem or calmness. Guided meditation tapes are also excellent buys!
44. Hug a soft cuddly teddy bear. Or ask for a hug from someone.
45. Practice some creative visualization. Engage in an afternoon of dreams by practicing the pink bubble technique for creative visualization.
46. Get a workout. Make use of the nearby gym facilities and get some exercise. Feel better after breaking out in beads of sweat!
47. Read a travel magazine. Let your mind take you away on a vacation. See yourself holidaying in the place that you have always wanted to go, and doing the things you have always wanted to do.
48. Take a holiday. Okay, I have to admit that nothing beats the actual experience of travel. Refrain from booking a group tour that tries to pack 10 countries in 5 days. Go on a leisurely one, instead. You can do many of your bookings yourself by researching online.
49. Meditate either at home or go on a meditation retreat. A holiday and a retreat is not quite the same thing. For a holiday, your focus is about fun and relaxation. In a meditation retreat, you are setting aside dedicated days for quiet contemplation. Better yet, meditate at home daily for self-care!
50. Let go of emotional clutter. Spend an afternoon, night or simply allocate some time to clear emotional clutter. I do this at least 2-3 times per week, using emotional healing methods. For anyone who needs further assistance, contact me here!
51.Quit smoking. Smoking introduces toxins into your body. The chance of getting lung cancer goes up. Good self care is taking care of your body and getting rid of habits that do not serve you.
52. Have a vase of fresh flowers on your desk. This is a simple, yet often overlooked, tip. If you spend a long time at your desk, it is a great idea to bring in some nature and sunshine indoors.
53. Heal your inner child. Click here for more information on inner child healing. Need to book a personal consultation? If you are Singaporean, I offer face-to-face sessions. Work with me.
54. Listen to music. Putting on some music can also help you to get in touch with your soul. New age meditative music can be therapeutic, healing and calming.
55. Drink plenty of water. It is important to drink the daily 7-8 glasses of plain water daily. Juices, herbal teas or coffee do no count in this daily requirement.
56. Switch to herbal tea. To reduce intake of caffeine, cut down on the coffee that you are drinking. Consider a switch to herbal tea!
57. Shield yourself from negativity. Find yourself surrounded by toxic criticism, scathing remarks and unsupportive comments? Stay away from people who are negative. If you need to be near them, consider shielding yourself energetically for self care.
58. Write a love letter to yourself. Project 10 years from now. Write a letter of love and encouragement to your current self.
59. Enhance yourself by attending workshops. There are different workshops that you can attend for enhancing the self. These include life coaching, public speaking, personal grooming and so on. Taking an active interest in your personal development is self-care.
60. Practice tai-chi. Tai-chi is a mind-body-spirit practice that is described as “meditation in motion”. At first awkward, you will eventually find yourself engaged in a graceful dance after some practice.
61. Trash email messages that you won’t read. I know you have been meaning to but you have been too busy to read the pile of emails in your inbox. And you know that it will take you ages to get to them. Well, either organize them into folders for those that you are likely to read even after weeks or send those that you suspect you won’t ever read into the trash bin.
62. Take leisurely drives. Take a drive and check out areas that you have never ventured before. Doing so tunes you into the energetic vibrations of possibility, play and adventure. You release yourself from the repetitive strains of daily pressures.
63. Get grounded. If you find yourself being flighty and unable to get settled, then get some grounding done. Read this post on How to get Grounded.
64. Make a to-do list. If you have been feeling overwhelmed, sit down and make a list of to-do things, ranking them in priority. Getting your tasks down on paper gives you a clearer idea of what is or is not essential.
65. Brighten up your wardrobe. Forget about the sober blacks, dull greys and boring browns. Observe yourself brightening up when you wear clothes with colors.
66. Simply smile. With a guide on 17 types of smiles, you can’t go wrong. So look into the mirror and give yourself a wide smile. Go ahead, you deserve it!
67. Book a healing session. Maybe it is Reiki, Quantum touch or crystal therapy. Whatever the healing modality is, feel revitalized after a session of energy healing. Need an energy healing session for self care? Book a session here.
68. Reconnect with a family member. It’s time to rebuild the relationships that have been estranged by time and distance. Call a family member to reconnect. Set aside past grievances for inner healing.
69. Create affirmation cards. Putting your affirmations on cards can make great reminders. Flipping through them at a later stage also reinforces your commitment for self-care. Need ideas for affirmations? Check out my previous article 101 affirmations for children to get started on some.
70. Create a Vision Board. Create a vision board for self care. Cut and paste pictures of you in activities that support your wellness. Your vision board serves as a reminder for you with undertaking self care.
Share Your Self Care Tip
What do you do for self care? Which is your favorite way or tip?
Love and Abundance Always,
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Evelyn Reply:
January 19th, 2011 at 9:12 am
Hello Joy,
I love how you describe self love as opening your heart fully to yourself and others. There is a multitude of self care ways to put this in action. It’s centering love on ourselves not in a selfish but in a very nurturing way.
Wishing you more love, care and beauty for the week,
Evelyn
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