20 Self Care Ideas for Your Overall Well Being

“It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” – Mandy Hale

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If I were to ask you to name all your priorities how long will it take to name yourself?

Oh my goodness! I have never thought about this? I am not on my priority list! This is terrible!

 

Is this what you are thinking?

 

You are not alone. Many of us get so caught up in the busyness of day to day life that we end up neglecting ourselves. And this can have negative effects on our lives.

 

So what can you do about that?

 

Take care of yourself!

 

But I don’t have time for that! You are not understanding! And I don’t even know how to do self-care.

 

I can hear your thoughts (just kidding!)

 

Are you ready to discover simple and effective ways for self-care which can be done in under 30 minutes?

 

Before we dive into the details, let’s understand what is meant by self-care.

 

What is Self Care?

 Self Care is anything that you do deliberately and consciously for your mental, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, well being.

 

It is a holistic approach in which you should focus on every aspect of your life. It is much more than Netflix and chill.

 

Okay, I am confused now. Isn’t self-care doing anything that makes you happy and comfortable?

 

I told you, I can hear your thoughts!

 

Well, self-care isn’t what you are thinking it is. It’s time for some enlightenment.

Common Self Care Myths Busted!

1. Self-care takes time

 

 No, it doesn’t! You don’t need to spend hours of your day for yourself.  As less than fifteen minutes is enough for self-care. Doing a 5-minute meditation to reduce your day’s stress is also self-care.

 

2. Self-care is selfish

 

You might have heard this numerous times from various people. Don’t let those people get to you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a few minutes of the day for yourself. It’s important to rest and recharge yourself for your own good and others.

 

3. Self-care is doing anything that comforts you.

 

You might enjoy watching Netflix or scrolling through social media for hours. It’s doing more damage than good. Self-care isn’t just doing anything that gives you instant gratification. It is more about taking necessary steps such as creating a routine that will benefit you in the long run. Self-care isn’t taking the easy option out for short term happiness, it is about making simple yet effective changes to your life, which might be difficult.

 

This doesn’t mean that taking a bubble bath at the end of a long stressful day isn’t self-care. Doing things that make you happy in the short term is also necessary. But your self-care activities shouldn’t limit to do things that give you instant gratification.

 

Remember, it’s a holistic approach.

 

Okay, I remember what I had promised you, self-care in under 30 minutes or less. Let’s see what you can do for your own good.

20 Self Care Ideas 

 

1. Journaling.

 

 

Journaling! Seriously, is this what you are telling me to do? Whenever I open a book to write, I feel as if the white blank paper is laughing at me. I cannot write!

 

Let me break your chain of thoughts right there.

 

 

Does journaling for 5 minutes sound good to you? Yes, you can journal for 5 minutes and it will be beneficial for you.

 

 

So what can you journal within 5 minutes?

 

 

You can write about

 

  1. things you are grateful for
  2. good things that happened in a day
  3. review of the day in a few sentences
  4. what is causing you stress and what can you do about it. (this might take more than 5 minutes depending on how in-depth you want to write.)

Do you want a ready-made journal to make things easier for you? I have an answer for that too.

 

 

Heard of the famous five-minute journal? It is what has made Tim Ferris happier. You can read about the reviews of the 5-minute journal from here and here so that you can decide if you want to buy it or not. You can buy the journal from Amazon.

 

Related Posts :

     a. How to journal effectively – A beginner’s guide

     b. 30 Journaling Quotes

 

2. Meditate

 

Meditation is one of the best things that you can do for stress relief. It will help you to become mindful and start living in the moment.

 

Meditating for 5 minutes can also have huge positive impacts on your life. (You can read about the benefits of 5 minutes meditation here.)

 

 That’s it! 5 minutes. Include it in your morning routine and see the benefits by yourself.

 

3. Reading

 

Just 10 minutes. That’s it. Read for only 10 minutes.

 

Do you use your phone or laptop just before going to sleep? I am sure you are aware of how the blue light emitting from screens can affect your sleep.

 

So why don’t you read 10 minutes before going to sleep rather than using your electronic devices just before going to bed? Reading before sleeping has many positive effects.

 

If you use public transport for the commute to work/college, use the time to read rather than using your phone.

 

You will find the 10 minutes for reading when you start identifying how you use your time throughout the day.

 

4. Exercise

Self Care

 

10 minutes of exercise does have a lot of benefits. Again, just 10 minutes needed!

It is definitely better than not exercising at all. If you don’t have enough time to go to a gym or do a 30 t0 45-minute workout, this is the option for you.

 

Even a 10-minute brisk walking has many good benefits. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Just do anything to move your body.

 

5. Hydrate

 

Do you drink enough water in a day? Hydrating yourself adequately is definitely one of the simple yet effective things that you can do for your health.

 

Make sure that you drink water as soon as you wake up. This simple thing has many benefits.

 

How much time does it take to drink water? A minute or two isn’t it! Keep reminders so that you don’t forget to hydrate yourself.

 

6. Develop good food habits.

 

Commonly, most of us skip our meals, because we are too busy to take out time for eating. I’m also guilty of doing this many times.

 

Make sure that you don’t skip your meals. There are many meals which you can prepare under 10 minutes. So, don’t skip your meals and also try to eat as much as healthy food you can. (Cheat days are allowed! Just don’t cheat every day.)

 

Also try to cut down your sugar and caffeine intake. Small steps for better health.

 

7. Get an adequate amount of sleep.

 

A good night’s sleep is the solution to many problems. Whatever it is, sleep for an adequate amount of time. 

 

8. Take a social media detox

Self Care

 

If your day starts and ends with the phone, then it is one of the worst things that you can do towards yourself. Reduce the time you are spending on social media to 30 minutes. A study has shown that people who spend less than 30 minutes have a lesser chance of depression and anxiety.

 

A social media detox should be included in your self-care routine. It sounds simple but it takes discipline to keep a check on the amount of time spent on the phone. Once you start reducing your time on the phone, you will find time for doing many things.

 

Related Post : How to do a social media detox – 14 days challenge

 

9.Gift yourself

 

Gifting yourself is one of the best ways to appreciate yourself. Did you achieve a goal you had planned, then gift yourself on the success? Had a long day at work and tired? Gift yourself for handling the stress and pressure.

 

Okay, this doesn’t mean that you have to buy expensive things for yourself. You can gift yourself time or you can go on a coffee date with yourself! A gift doesn’t mean that you have spent lots of money to buy materialistic things. Often, real happiness is hidden in small things.

 

10. Dance like no one is watching

 

Imagine this. You are dancing to your favorite song, in your comfy clothes at home. Dancing like no one is watching. The music is loud and the fun is unlimited.

Can you feel the happiness just by imagining this?

 

Life isn’t fair. Often time you cannot do anything about a bad or stressful situation.

So, what can you do when the situation is not under your control and is causing you stress?

 

Dance it out!

 

It is so relaxing. Just dance as if no one is watching. You will feel amazing!

 

10 minutes of dancing is enough to boost your mood. It’s my personal experience. Now, it’s your turn to try it out.

 

11. Call up your friends and loved ones

 

It’s good relations that give meaning to our lives. Can you imagine living your life all by yourself? No friends, no family. It feels impossible, isn’t it?

 

Yet, all of us are guilty of not spending enough time with our loved ones. A good conversation with a close person in your life is a great way to reduce stress.

 

If you have been neglecting the relationships with your friends and family stating that you have a busy schedule, it’s time that you do something about it. Call your friends, spend more time with family.

 

Maintaining meaningful relationships with your loved ones is also a part of self-care.

 

Don’t have hours to talk to your friends? No problem. Keep this for your weekends. Instead of spending the entire day using the phone, spare some time for your friends and family.

 

12.Declutter

 

Everything is a mess. Your closet, your workspace, your study table. Even your phone. 

 

Does this resonate with you?

 

Just throw the stuff that you don’t need. Donate old clothes to charity. Delete all the unnecessary messages, photos, and files from your phone.

 

Don’t postpone decluttering stating you don’t have time. Make it a daily habit. It will take only a few minutes of your day.

 

Got a picture in your what’s app group which is forwarded but is of no use to you. Delete it as soon as you see that. It takes just seconds. Throw the papers you don’t need as soon as you finish your work.

 

If you make it a habit to declutter regularly, it will save a lot of time which you can use to do other things.

 

13. Learn to say no.

 

How many times have you said yes but deep down you wanted to say no? Many times isn’t it? I am also guilty of doing this.

 

It just destroys your peace of mind but you might end up saying yes. Why so? Because you don’t want to be selfish to put your needs ahead of others.

 

It is doing more damage than good. It is okay to say no. Saying no doesn’t mean that you are selfish, it just means that you need to take time for yourself too.

 

As you read earlier in this post self-care isn’t selfish. Learn to say no. It just takes a few seconds but it will benefit you in many ways. A simple no has an immense part in self-care.

 

14. Stop the negative self-talk

 
How you talk to yourself matters. Your inner thoughts matters.

 

Do you talk to yourself with love and compassion? If not, its time that you replace your negative self talks with positive ones. 

 

Self-love and self-care are two sides of the same coin. So, make sure that you talk to yourself with love and compassion.

 

15. Practice gratitude

 

 

Regular practice of gratitude has many positive benefits. It’s one simple thing that can increase your happiness. You can practice gratitude in many ways.

 

Expressing your thanks to others is a simple way for gratitude practice.

 

A simple thank you can make your day as well as the other person’s. It might sound simple, but this can have many positive effects on your mental health.

 

So, next time say thank you to your mailman or the person who delivers your food. And experience the magic of the two words by yourself.

 

Related Posts :

 

  a. 4 easy and powerful ways to practice gratitude regularly 

  b. Journaling prompts for gratitude

  c. 30 Gratitude quotes 

 

16. Practice mindfulness

 

Mindfulness. The state of being fully aware of what you are doing in the present. As simple as it sounds, it is one of the most difficult things to do.

 

It is challenging to be fully living in the moment. Hundreds of thoughts run through your mind within a second.

 

You have to stop doing things without paying attention to them. Start practicing mindfulness.

 

Meditate, focus on your breathing, train your mind to focus on what you are doing. Don’t let your mind wander off to other thoughts.

 

Regular practice of mindfulness does wonders for your mental health. Taking care of your mental health is also an aspect of self-care.

 

17. Make a To – Do List

 

Don’t let the day run you. Always keep a to-do list for the day, week, and if possible the month too. Make sure you have a clear idea of how you are gonna spend your day. Do yourself a favor and create goals and to-do lists so that you are in control of your time.

 

Creating a schedule is half the battle won. It will reduce your stress and will help you to spend your day peacefully. You will find a lot of time if you organize your day properly.

 

It just takes 10 minutes to prioritize the tasks for your day. That 10 minutes will save many hours of your day.

 

18. Netflix and chill

 

I told you that self-care doesn’t limit to Netflix and chill. I didn’t say that you shouldn’t binge-watch your favorite shows or movies. If it gives you happiness, go for it.

 

Being in your PJs, cozied up in your blanket, and watching your favorite sitcoms is just amazing. And also, let’s not forget to add your favorite snack too! It’s relaxing, it’s comforting!

 

Spending a reasonable amount of time on entertainment is also necessary. It is a part of self-care which will boost your mood and give instant gratification.

 

Take a break and enjoy your movie night.

 

19. Treat yourself to a spa day.

 

Put on a face mask, do a pedicure or manicure. Do whatever you want that rejuvenates your body.

 

20. Just breathe.

 

Take deep breaths. Let go. Feel the air being filled up in your lungs. Focus on each breath you are taking.

 

 

Just breathe and let go of the stress. Let go of everything that is not under your control.

 

 

Just breathe.

 

 

Practice taking deep breaths during regular intervals in a day. It’s so simple yet the most powerful and effective thing to do which takes only a few moments.

 

 

Final Thoughts 

 

 

As you might have noticed, some of the things on the list are to be done daily and while others during weekends. You can make your own routine by choosing what you want to do daily and others for weekends.

 

 

Also, you might have realized that most of the things on the list don’t take much time.

 

 

You can choose what you want to do during your 30 minutes of self-care and incorporate it into your daily routine.

 

 

Don’t try to do everything in a day because that will not happen. 

 

 

So are you ready to kick start your self-care practice with these ideas? Go ahead and start putting yourself on your priority list.

Check out the following blogs for further insights about this topic :

 

  1. Afam Uche : The Ultimate Self Care Checklist For You

  2. Blessing Manifesting : Self Care Battery Recharge Yours

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