Do you sometimes forget to take care of yourself while making sure everyone else is happy?

I know how easy it is to put off taking proper care of yourself with so many things to do.

Life is distracting and usually hectic – so putting time aside for yourself can be hard. But if you don’t, it always has a way of catching up to you. Before you know it, you’re exhausted and a little frustrated that you can’t find time for those things that make you smile everyday.

I often find myself putting everything aside to make others happy. Only to find that I’m resentful because I put others needs before my own.

So I made a choice--I promised to start taking of myself better, scheduling in time alone, for relaxation, exercise and for fun! Afterall, you can’t pour from an empty cup right?

I was finally much happier, more energetic and had so much more to give to the people I love and things I’m passionate about.

But you know what? It still gets a bit hard, especially in 2021 with all of the time in sporadic lockdowns but it continues to get easier and a lot of the activities are super simple.

But what is self care?

The term has been getting a lot of buzz lately. But it’s sometimes misinterpreted as selfish or only taking bubble baths with sparkling wine. Bubble baths are involved, but it’s SO much more than that.

Simply put, self care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting your well-being and happiness, especially during periods of stress.
This past year has definitely added more stress, which is why self care is more important now than ever.

The activities and ideas listed below are super fun and easy for you to fit into your daily life.

Pick some that you like from each category and incorporate them in your life this week. But only pick the ideas that sound fun and resonate with you.

Self-Care Ideas for Your Mind

1. Do one thing everyday just because it makes you happy.

2. Simplify your schedule – Have you noticed everyone is proud of their overbooked diary? Don’t buy into it. Remember to ask yourself what are the appointments, activities and relationships that truly get help you reach your goals or add value to your life–and intentionally make space for those things.

3. Set boundaries – Say no when you need to and don’t feel selfish.

4. Unplug for a day – Go on a media and technology fast, and turn off any unnecessary electronic devices. I find that Saturday or Sunday work great for a digital detox.

5. Create a gratitude list – Jot down all the things that you're thankful for. Struggling to find something? Start with your ability to see, eat delicious food or simply that you are alive.

6. Spend quality time with a quality person – Prioritise spending time with those you truly enjoy being around. If they're far away, give them a phone call or schedule a video chat.

7. Give compliments – Try giving someone a heartfelt compliment each day. You can thank the barista for waking up early for your coffee or thank the bus driver for their service (even if the bs is behind schedule).

8. Start a compliments file for yourself – Write down the great things people say about you to read when you need a little pick me up.

9. Be still - Find a quiet place outside, and take in the stillness. You can watch the clouds pass, enjoy the flight of a butterfly, sounds of birdsongs…the opportunities are endless!

10. De-clutter – Choose a space, your bedroom, email inbox, home office, a closet and get rid of the excess things and junk.

11. Do an activity mindfully and slowly – Savour the moment and experience your activity with attentiveness. Slowly enjoy the aromas of your coffee, light a candle and smell all of the different notes, enjoy the warmth of tea as it warms your body.

12. Create and reflect on your personal values and mission statement for your dream life.

13. Practice mini-meditation – Start or end your day with a few minutes of deep breathing, and focused awareness of your body, thoughts, and feelings.

14. Meet with a counsellor spiritual mentor therapist or psychologist.

15. Take another route to work – Breaking your routine in small ways makes your ordinary day special and more fun.

16. Be a tourist in your hometown – Take a wander around the city, discover new places and look for its beauty in ways you haven’t noticed.

17. Get out of your comfort zone – Do something you normally don’t do everyday. Smile at a stranger, give a compliment to someone, or start that business idea or project you’ve been nervous to begin.

18. Keep a journal – Write down your thoughts and whatever you find interesting. Record your day with words.

19. Take yourself on date – Spend some time doing something you really enjoy. Watch a movie at the cinema, visit a museum, or enjoy the nature.

20. Dine alone – Take yourself to your fave bar or restaurant—or try a new place and eat whatever you would like to eat and drink. And enjoy a quite meal while you take in the environment.

21. Try something new for your apartment or house – Refresh your space and make it bright and new that you love.

22. Go cloud-watching. Relax and watch the sky. Perhaps with a bottle of fresh fruit juice.

23. Donate your extra stuff – Recycle or donate something from your house and wardrobe that you barely use.

24. Read a book that inspires you or fuels your mind.

25. Watch a movie or documentary that inspires you.

26. Watch a comedy show or movie – laugher always lifts your mood and is great for self care.

27. Take a nap for 20 minutes or without an alarm clock if you need the rest.

28. Intentionally schedule “me time” on your calendar or planner.

29. Celebrate small things – Reward yourself for completing small tasks along your journey.

30. Buy a coloring book and crayons. Adult coloring is actually good therapy.

31. Start a new hobby you’ve always been intrigued to try out.

32. Discover your stress indicators – Find what triggers your emotions like mood swings, short temper, or sadness, anger and fear. Emotions are our allies and you can use these “warning signs” to let you know you need “me time” and some self-care.

33. Do something fun and spontaneous.

Self-Care Ideas for Your Body

34. Discover your self-soothing activities, like petting a dog or kitty, or sipping hot tea and use them when you feel the need.

35. Try to do something you enjoy every day. That might mean dancing, watching a favorite TV show, working in the garden, painting or reading.

36. Get dancing – Put on your favorite tunes, get up out of your chair and shake your booty like no one is watching.

37. Do some stretching exercises – Try stretches during the day or go for yoga, Pilates if you’re feeling adventurous.

38. Try a two-minute walking exercise.

39. Do yoga. 

40. Drink more water and refill your water bottle each hour.

41. Exhaust yourself physically. Do whatever helps you feel fatigued.

42. Get a massage.

43. Go outside and spend 10 minutes under the sun.

44. Go for a bike ride or try an electric scooter in your city to nowhere in particular.

45. Go hiking, camping, or backpacking and spend some time in nature.

46. Go swim for fun.

47. Go to bed early.

48. Wake up early and watch a sunrise.

49. Join a walking or running group in your neighborhood.

50. Play a sport like basketball (even if you don't know how) just for the fun of it.

51. Release your energy – Scream, cry, pound pillows, or shake your body to move the energy out if you feel stressed.

52. Sleep in. Life is hectic and chaotic. Sometimes you need to just dump your schedule and get your rest.

53. Get your roller out - Release stress from your muscles and body. Try and use the benefits of foam rollers, the health benefits are great. They stretch your muscles and give myofascial release to your body, which allows contracted muscles to relax, improving blood and nutrient flow to the area. This speeds healing and muscle regrowth, and just makes you feel awesome.

54. Take a long shower, dry your hair, and put on clothes that make you feel good.

55. Try acupuncture.

56. Walk the dog.

57. Take a stroll on the beach.

58. Go in for regular medical check-ups.

59. Practice good hygiene – Good hygiene is important and improves the way you view yourself.

60. Find ways to relax, like meditation, yoga, getting a massage, taking a bath or walking in the woods.

61. Eat your fruits and veggies – Try to have a non-meat day during the week and add more fruits and veggies to your plate. Research shows that eating fruits and vegetables boosts your mood, brain health.

62. Try a walking meditation – Go for a mindful walk and look at the sky, the flowers, the birds, and the beauty all around you. Become present and aware and enjoy the moment fully.

63. Surround yourself with beauty – We spend more time than ever indoors. So make your space lovely and surround yourself with beautiful things that bring joy--fresh flowers, bright colors, positive quotes, pictures of people I love, crystals, salt lamps, essential oils, candles or your favorite books.

64. Light exercise while you binge TV – Get up and get your blood moving to avoid sitting too long. Mute the TV on commercial breaks and do 30 seconds of light movement or stretching while you watch TV--do moves like bicep curls and lunges.

65. Sip some tea during your morning routine – Adding tea to your morning is proven to help support a healthy heart and sipping green tea regularly may lower your bad cholesterol levels (“LDL”).

66. Swap out the unhealthy snacks – Go for a giant fruit bowl instead — you’ll be more likely to reach for an apple or a banana if you place the junk food out of sight. In your kitchen pantry, move healthy staples like quinoa, nuts, and canned beans to the front of shelves at eye level and put less healthy snacks and sweets on a high shelf.

Self-Care Ideas for Your Soul

67. Practice meditation - Meditation allows us to slow down the cognitive mind and access our more intuitive self, which in turn allows us to tune into our soul’s wants and needs. A solid meditation practice also raises our vibration and helps us to live more in alignment with our soul self.

68. Stop over-thinking - You don't need to have all the answers and perfect everything. Take it all in with grace and remember you’re intuition will lead you to the right path.

69. Stop comparing yourself to others – Everyone has their own journey.

70. Create joyful rituals – Create simple enjoyable rituals like lighting a candle, grabbing some tea and reading a book before bed. Create easy-to-do rituals that ground your day no matter what life throws at you.

71. Take actions that scare you – It's so easy to find a excuses for why you don’t want to do something you've dreamed of. If something scares you deeply, it means it’s meant for you, so go for it.

72. Forgive yourself, forgive others – Anger and resentment hurt you more than the person you’re angry at. Plus life is too precious and short to let someone drag you down. 

73. Avoid people who demean or look down on you – You are beneath no one and they are not beneath you. We’re all here on this planet for a purpose and you are no less important than anyone.

74. Don't get lured into negativity – Just avoid it at all costs and keep your vibe high.

75. Don't live on social media.

76. Allow yourself to feel what you feel – Your emotions are actually your friend and point out when you need to get back into balance or change a certain situation in your life. Honor and listen to your emotions.

77. Breathe deeply –Several deep, intentional breaths will relieve anxiety, cleanse your energy, and release any negative emotions you may be experiencing.

78. Embrace your imperfections – Perfection does not exist and you are whole as you are.

79. Be of service – Find ways to give.

80. Spend time in nature.

81. Cleanse your space – This includes tidying up, but also try smudging sticks and crystals to cleanse your space energetically.

82. Practice journaling - The reason why journaling is so amazing for spiritual self care is that it allows you to process your emotions and release energies that may be holding you back.

83. Practice gratitude – Try being aware of 5 things you’re thankful for each day. You can make it a mental list or you can start a gratitude journal that you add to each day.

84. Try positive affirmations – start a regular positive affirmation practice and make it a habit by saying your affirmations when you wake up and before bed. The key is to stay consistent and believe in your affirmations.

85. Schedule some alone time, regularly in your calendar.

86. Be happy and content with where you are in your life, while being excited about future possibilities.

87. Be gentle and kind to yourself. Always.

88. Stay away from gossip and drama.

89. Release what you can’t control.

90. Empower yourself by changing what you can control.

91. Intentionally create the life you want and follow your heart.

92. Believe in yourself. You are enough.

93. Make sure you’re meeting your basic needs.

94. Spend quality time with your pet.

95. Try yoga.

96. Donate to a cause or charity you are passionate about.

97. Volunteer for a cause you love.

98. Try a change of scenery and step away from your usual environment.

99. Just be you – Your true authentic self. You are perfect. You are invaluable. You are enough.

Conclusion

Self care comes with major benefits for your life. You’ll feel more energized, fulfilled and connected. The small things in life will delight you so much more and you’ll experience more serendipity than ever.

Taking the time to incorporate a few of these tiny self-care ideas in your day will help keep your vibrations and mood high and make everyday life much happier.

Which one will you try first?