Hey friends, welcome back!
We all have those crazy, rough days, so it’s understandable that it can be overwhelming and can take a toll on your body. Plus, balancing work, relationships, and health is just added stress. There are times where you just need to step away from the chaos and have some time to yourself.
Self-care is anything that helps maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health. It’s important for us to set aside time for ourselves to recharge and take care of our mental well-being. If we don’t, then we’ll just burn out.
There are endless ways to practice self-care. If you don’t know how or where to start, here are a few things you can try to unwind the mind, body, and soul:
Mind
#1: Paint your heart out
This happens to be my personal favorite. It’s so therapeutic for me whenever I feel stressed or want to let out my creative ideas. And for those who say, “But I suck at painting.” Umm, honey said who?
The good thing about painting is that you don’t have to learn how to paint like Van Gogh to know how to paint. Plus there is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s all about letting your creative juices flow and enjoying the process along the way.
#2: Do a DIY
Pinterest is where it’s at when it comes to DIYs. There is chock-full of ideas on anything for any creative mind who like hands-on crafts.
#3: Turn off your phone
This one is tough. We are consumed by our phones on the daily. It’s basically like an extra limb attached to our bodies. You’re probably reading this on your phone right now lol.
There’s nothing wrong with social media but it can become highly addicting and we’d end up wasting so much time on it, it can drain us mentally. Turn your phone off for a couple of hours and watch how much happier and stress-free you’ll be.
Body
#4: Take a walk
Walks are beneficial to the mind and body. It helps release the tension we hold in our bodies, declutter the mind, and reduce stress while also getting that bit of exercise in. So hitting two birds with one stone.
Another added bonus: getting your dose of Vitamin D, according to studies has been proven to increase serotonin, which controls your mood, THUS making you happier. Ok, I’m nerding out lol onto the next!
#5: Do a face mask
This is another one of my personal favorites. I’ve recently learned the importance of having a good skin care routine down and it has become a ritual for me day and night. I don’t know how I managed to survive college without moisturizing lol.
Use face masks or sheet masks that best suits your skin’s need, sit back and relax for 20 minutes. Try this once a week, your skin will thank you.
My tried and true → GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment, $24
Also, check out my blog posts on face masks.
Related: Favorite Face Masks for Oily Skin
#6: Take a warm bath
Drop in a nice bath bomb or some lavender essential oils into your bath to unwind after a long day. I’m more of a shower person but I hear baths make you into a brand new person. It changes you.
Try Lush; they’re known for their amazing-smelling bath bombs. I went there recently for the first time. It’s magical.
#7: Declutter
A cluttered space = a cluttered mind. Try getting rid of things you no longer use or rearrange furniture for a new look. Avoid thinking negative thoughts and focus on decluttering to benefit you and your lifestyle.
Soul
#8: Write in a journal
Journaling can be a way to express your thoughts and feelings. Try writing things that you are grateful for and things you can improve on. It’s also nice to look back at stuff you wrote about and how far you’ve grown.
#9: Find a quiet place
I like being to myself a lot of times and being in a place where I can be with my thoughts and enjoy the moment, is very relaxing. Take an hour or so to yourself or sit outside and take in the fresh air while you read a book or listen to your favorite music.
#10: Treat yoself
Every once in a while, it’s ok to splurge on something you had your eye on for a while. If it’s a little getaway trip, save up some money and go out with a group of friends. Have a good time. Let loose.
Again, there so endless ways to practice self-care, so find something that you enjoy doing that helps you relax and rejuvenate. But remember to always make some time every week to have to yourself.
Related: The Importance of Self-CareThe Importance of Self-Care
What other self-care ideas do you guys recommend? Let me know. 🙂
If you like it, please make sure to share it on Facebook and Pinterest.
Until next time,
Yis x
Very helpful 😌😌
Thanks 🙂
Love love love this list so much. If I don’t take a breather every now and then and indulge in me time, I go completely nuts. The body (and mind!!) need time to recharge. I had a getaway this weekend—it wasn’t far but it was what I needed, too. Love all of your suggestions; especially journaling, decluttering (which I’m trying to do more of!!), and hot baths 🙂
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Sounds like there was a much needed break and I hope you’re recharged and ready to charge forward 🙂
love these ideas. Definitely planning more of these activities for myself!
Thank you! I hope they help you out 🙂
Love this!! I am in the process of learning this for myself.
Thank you! It takes some tweaking but I’m sure you’ll find one that works like a dream for you.
This is so important to do! I even learned some new things
That’s great! I hope you get to apply them to your self-care routine.
This is such a great post! I am just starting to remember that I need to take care of myself. These are really great ideas to help me remember to take care of me too.
Yeah, it’s very important to take care of yourself. I hope you found these tips helpful in your journey to self-care.
I loved the idea “paint” , something different to totally take your mind away!
OMG that is my all-time favorite thing to do whenever I get stressed. You can get as messy as you want and the best part – you’re having fun and unwinding.
Self Care is so important! These are some great tips! I like to hike to escape and recharge =)
That’s an amazing way to practice self-care, plus you get some exercise in.
I work at home and it is easy to extend my hours long into the night. I have to purposely set aside time in the middle of the day for a much needed break. Lately that is in the form of a hot bath. It rejuvenates me so that I can keep going.
That’s great that you’re making time for yourself.
I love this list. So often I see self-care conflated with self-indulgence in ways that aren’t really helpful — things that might provide a short-term endorphin boost, but just make things more difficult in the long run — but this list is great.
Thank you!
Yes! Self care is really so important, I wish more people realized this!
People need to know the value of themselves and know that it’s ok to care for yourself.
I am trying very hard to make sure I have times throughout the day where I either turn off my phone or put it in another room so I’m not tempted to check it. Such a nice break to have from social media and messages once in awhile!
That’s good that you’re trying to make time.
Self Care is such a struggle for most of us. I am still trying to find the balance in my mom life. I will say I am getting better at doing things for myself and my mood reflects that as well.
Yeah it is a struggle at first but once you find that balance, things will start looking better and you’ll feel better.
I love this. My daughter has been really stressed lately. Yesterday we went out and bought her paints and canvases. So much better today it’s amazing.
YEEESSS!!! I hope painting helps relieve the stress she has whenever she feels worked up. That’s amazing to read!
Painting is such an important part of self-care for me. I don’t take enough time for self-care, but it’s something I’m working on this year.
YES same girl. I love painting, it works wonders for my stress levels.
Its so important to be mindful of yourself which can be easily forgotten. Your article hits on many great points and something for everyone. Thanks!
Thank you for that!
I completely agree with all of these! Turning off your phones being the most important yet the most difficult of them all 😉 I think we all struggle with that one a little bit 😉 but it feels so damn good when you actually go completely offline!!
I completely agree.
Seems like everywhere you look there are books and teachings about self-care. I admire the movement and have always set aside a little me time, although I never called it “self-care,” per se. Thank you for sharing these tips. I’ll add some of them to my existing regime.
Yeah, I feel like people don’t really take the time but it’s very important. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I am proud to say I practice several of these ideas regularly, but now adding a few new ideas to my routine! THANK YOU!
WOW that’s great! You’re welcome 🙂
Happy to say that in an effort to take better care of myself, I’ve been picking up a few of these habits lately. It’s always nice to hear from someone else that I’m not crazy for taking these little things so seriously.
It’s never selfish to have some time to take care of yourself. Always enjoy those moments of relaxation. 🙂
I completely agree! We often get so caught up in our lives that we forget to care about ourselves. You inspired me to go put on a face mask right now!
lol enjoy that face mask 🙂
Turning off the phone is the first best step for self care. Refocus on your life.
It’s the hardest but the best.
I love self care. Any excuse to pamper myself and recharge the batteries.
I agree.
I am a big supporter of turning off the phone and journaling! I just started journal #58 this week (I’ve been journaling since I was a kid) and it really helps me to reflect and find balance.
Wow that’s amazing! I used to journal when I was little but I didn’t really keep up with it.
Yes! I love all these. Journalling has been a big goal of mine this year. And I’ve also started taking walks during my break and I feel a lot better while at work – more refreshed.
That sounds like a great way to utilize your breaks.
Fab post – I am a strong believer in treating yo-self! Also, the last few weekends when I’m about the house and need to get things done I’ve turned my phone off and it felt amazing to not have that thing glued to my hand and distracting me. I also love a good bubble bath (maybe a little too much) but it’s important to have those little moments.
That’s amazing. I’m glad you take time to pamper yourself. It’s much needed every once in a while.
Self-care is so important! I don’t paint but I find sketching or photography relaxing in the same way.
The other day, I did a jigsaw puzzle (haven’t done one for YEARS!) and it was amazing how relaxing it was to switch my mind off from everything else and just focus on that.
My other favourite is walks in fresh air. 🙂
I love puzzles as well and walks outside. They’re great
I love this so much. Self care is so important, and I myself sometimes forget to let my self have some. Thanks for the read!
You’re welcome. I hope you get to implement some into your day 🙂
Some great ideas! We definitely could all use these, especially to TURN OFF PHONES!
Especially that lol Thank you for reading 🙂
This is a great list! My personal favorites are doing creative things like coloring and applying face masks 🙂
Face masks are the best way to relax 🙂
Great List! The other day I was feeling blue and decided to put a mask on my face. I cannot explain how that 10 minutes of self care inspired the rest of my week!
That’s amazing. Being able to take care of yourself really lifts your mood to do have a productive and positive week.
This is so true! Self care is more important than most believe. What a great list of ways to do it!
Thank you! 🙂
I love painting, as a mom–taking an uninterrupted shower, doing DIY projects, reading a good book, or just taking that much-needed nap throughout the day.
They all sound lovely.
Hi there! I just want to say a little thanks for your work on your blog by nominating you for the Britain Mix-Niche Blog Award! You can find my post about it here: https://orangewallsblog.wordpress.com/2018/02/02/first-nom-nomnomnom-britain-award-for-mix-niche-blog/
This is such a helpful post! Everyone has those rough days, some more than others, and it’s always important to remember self-care. Even if you’re having a good day it’s important to take care of your self just to keep you happy and your well being up. I will be keeping this list of things in mind for sure for when I need it! Thank you for this.
Aww I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you for this post! Self-care is SOOOO important! Especially now-a-days, when the spirit of “hustle” makes us feel almost guilty for taking breaks! I love that you mentioned painting. I’m an artist/art teacher and have a few students that have mentioned how art really helps with their stress levels!
OMG that’s amazing. Painting does wonders for my stress. I personally love it.