Self care is becoming ever more important in the fast world that we are living in, everyone is always so busy with home life and work commitments that life passes us by so fast. Stepping back and taking time to take have a breath is something that should not be a rarity but a necessity in our lives. In order to live a sustainable meaningful life, you have to take time to nourish your mind, body and soul.
Practising self care is something you need to choose to do, setting the intentions each week to look after yourself and making yourself a priority. Regularly part taking in activities that relax you and show yourself some love means that you can breathe and enjoy the small things it life that make you smile. There is sometimes some guilt around treating yourself and that should not be the case. In order for you to be successful and productivity you need to feel well rested and refreshed, that is one you are at your most motivated.
Self care does not have to be a grand gesture and can be a small inexpensive activity and so being too busy is no longer an excuse for neglecting yourself. Self care and taking the time to rest has been proven to boost your mental health, your self esteem and self worth, by improving these areas in your life can then positively impact your physical health. Your health is the most important and these small gestures can help you live a healthy lifestyle.
I am sharing 25 self care activities that even the busiest people can practise to improve their lives:
Spend time with family – Being able to have fun and make memories with loved ones is a great way to relax.
Spend time with friends – Making memories and laugh with friends can help you smile.
Take a long bath or shower – This allows your body and mind to physically relax.
Get your nails done – This can help you feel confident.
Cut out negative people from your life – Avoiding toxic habits can boost your mental health
Take a walk – Enjoying nature and gentle exercise can release endorphins and make you feel happy.
Have a nap – Giving your body in a rest can allow you feel awake and refreshed.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash
Say no when you really don’t want to do something – This is putting yourself first.
Have a lazy day
Journal your thoughts and feelings – Writing can help with your mental health
Exercise – This releases endorphins and makes you feel good.
Practise meditation – This helps to relax and clear your mind.
Create and write in a gratitude journal
Get creative with a colouring book or scrapbooking
Reorganise your space
Declutter a space in your home – Having a tidy space means a tidy mind.
Make yourself a healthy meal – Giving your body nutritious food will make you feel good and keep your body healthy.
Watch your favourite movies
Read
Photo by Ellieelien on Unsplash
Sing or dance
Put on a face mask
Drink water or a warm drink – Drinking water has so many benefits and helps with brain function.
Listen to some music
Practise yoga – This activity can be a form of gentle exercise as well as relaxing your body and mind.
These are just 25 simple activities with most not costing you anything but are so valuable in many other ways, you should never wait until you have reached the dreaded burn out before you start taking care of yourself. Practising self care regularly can help you balance your lifestyle.
What are your favourite self care activities? I’d love to hear in the comments.
Such a lovely post, a reminder that self care doesn’t need to be huge activities or costly in anyway.
So many of these can be achieved so easily.
Bath and a book are my go to x
Definitely doesn’t have to cost anything at all. They are great go things to do to show yourself some self care x
Self care is so important! Sometimes you just need to be a little selfish! Amazing post😊
Definitely! Looking after yourself is so important x
I love that you include a bit of everything here! Things that are free as well, and indoor things!
Great post!
Kenna, lifeoflilyblog.com
Definitely! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Love these suggestions! For self-care I really like lazy days in my pyjamas and also things like doing my nails and make-up, which interestingly I’m finding is making a massive difference with my SAD this year (I’m trying to style myself around the season, which I think is helping me to accept it more, rather than feel against it)
That’s a great thing to be doing! Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing what you like to for self care x
This is a great reminder that self-care can be simple things that you already can do in that moment you need it
Definitely! Thank you for reading and commenting x
This is a great post! I tend to need to be by myself and wants some air so I always walk my dog to practice self-care!
They are great things to do! X
These are such good tips! Singing and dancing and listening to music are two of my favourites!
Jas xx
Journalling is definitely my form of self care, but I love taking baths too! Great tips xx
Thank you xx
Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing what you like to do! Xx
I love taking a walk, I find it is the best and quickest way to calm x
That’s a great idea! Can you link your blog x
So many great ideas! My favorite method or mantra of self-care is that doing nothing is doing something for yourself. It’s self-care, not selfish.
It’s definitely not selfish, thank you for sharing x
Spending time with loved ones and going for lone walks are my favourite forms of self care. So easy and enjoyable, but simultaneously so incredibly important and necessary in life. 🙂
Soph – https://girlvsworldblog.com x
These are great ways to practise self care. Thank you for reading and commenting! X
I like to think that I’m good at practising self-care but I’m a bit rubbish. I love to have a sing and dance round the house though and I always feel better when I’ve done it!
Thanks for such an awesome list Lauren!
Naomi xo
They are good and fun things to do! Thank you for sharing and commenting xx
Great ideas. My go-to self care is reading a good book and taking a power nap. Or chocolate.
They are great things to reach for to show yourself some self care x
Such a great post! Some great points and definitely things to always do 😊 it is so important as well xx
Thank you for reading and commenting xx
Self-care for the win!!! I loved this post! I’ve been trying to put myself first, but it can be hard sometimes, when you have family and other obligations. But I’m putting in an effort and it’s really helping. Even if it’s just half an hour to read, or do a face mask. Thank you for this awesome list of things to do!
Emily | https://www.thatweirdgirllife.com
Definitely, that’s why even the smallest activities are important to look after yourself. As you have to be ok to look after others c
I love to read. So my favorite self-care method is to make some hot tea and sit under my weighted blanket with a good book.
That sounds like a great idea! Glad that works for you
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! Thank you for your positivity.
Thank you xx
Welcome :).
Lovley post!! 🙂 Some really great ideas too. When I need some TLC I like to give myself a nice tan as I feel alot more confident and healthy with a glowing tan!! x
Thank you! Can you link your blog so I can have a read x
Great ideas, including having a hot drink a cup of tea solves mostly everything!! 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
I love all your self-care tips. I like to watch movies but I also like to exercise depending on my mood. A cup of hot tea or coffee counts as self-care too.
These tips are so handy, self care is so important!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I really love how you haven’t made self-care into something that has to be really big and time consuming. Even an hour completely to yourself a day will do! Or if you’re me, 10 mins watching the geese and Squirrels
doing their thing on campus is satisfactory to lift the mood! 😅
That’s great! Thank you for sharing xx
Self care is so important. Love this list! Some of them I wouldn’t have thought of – like making myself a healthy meal, but it’s true. Taking care of you in anyway is self care. Thanks!!
-Morgan @ http://www.mommyaboveall.com
Thank you for reading and commenting!! X
Nice and simple ways pinpointed! Just the way I like it. Cheers for sharing Lauren 🙂 Yoga’s something I added to my weekly routine and I’m loving it – even if I’m not perfect at it being a guy and all. I’m seeing the benefits of it, especially before going to work (at the gym ironically) and feeling my muscles much more relaxed.
Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
https://johnnystraventures.com
I want to try yoga at some points. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reading my post xx
Love the post! A great reminder to take care of ourselves first. Naps and lazy days are my favorites 🙂
Definitely! Thank you for reading and commenting xx
I love that these suggestions are on the simpler side of self care. I’m definitely going to look after myself by heading off to make a warm drink now!
I really need to get better at the saying no to things one :-/
A nap sounds great right about now!
Love a good nap. Can you link your blog
Thought I had! Unfortunately jetpack emailed me it’s down and I’m stuck under a napping toddler.
When it comes up and I can access your blog, I will have a read xx
Back up! Phew! I was scared for a bit!
Sleeping is definitely my number one. I used to not allow myself to go to bed until I had scratched every item off of my daily to-do list. Now, if I’m too tired to function, I move my unfinished tasks to another day and go to bed early. It definitely improves my mood and energy the next day.
That’s good you fo what your body needs. Thank you for sharing xx
I love this post, especially since Christmas isn’t too far away and we tend to forget ourselves coming up to this holiday. I can not wait to read your posts when they come up on my notifications 🤩🤩🤩
Definitely! It’s easy to forget ourselves sometimes! Thank you so much lovely! That is so sweet of you. Xxxx
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It’s so important to practice self-care but we tend to forget about it, thanks for sharing this. Margarida xxx
Definitely! Thank you for sharing xx
I often find that self care is associated with going to the spa or taking a bath … but it’s way more than that and it doesn’t have to be lumped into generic activities like that. Self care is any activity that helps a person relax, unwind, feel at peace with themselves and shed stress. My favourite thing is a mug of tea and a good book but to each their own.
They are great things to do! Thank you for sharing. Can you message me your blog link so I can have a read
These are such great ideas! 😊
I love reading self care lists like this!
Love Lozza xo
Thank you lovely!! Xx
That’s some awesome ideas. Self care is so important and still something we all seem to keep forgetting. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thank you for reading and commenting xx
I find decluttering to be so relaxing, especially when I’m not in a rush to do it and I’m just taking my time. I also love to colour and knit and that’s really calming too! X
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you leave your latest x
Thank you!
Lovely post with some really simple but effective ideas. Self-care is so important, especially when so many of us live such hectic lives, but even something small can have a big impact. My personal fave self-care ideas are to practice yoga, put a face mask on and light some candles
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you share your blog link so I can read x
Live this Lauren. A list of some easy but kind acts of self care we can all try to add into our routines.
Helen x
Thank you for reading and commenting xx
These are some good suggestions! It’s so important to make self-care a priority x
Thank you!!
De-cluttering! How I live when I empty out crowded spaces. I could do it for a living.
I cleared out my aunt’s space when I stayed with her, and how much I cleared away when I came home. I feel so fresh when I sit back and regard the fruits of the labor. Having clean space makes clean space inside me. 🙂