Your relationship with yourself is just like any other relationship in your life, it’s the most important relationship in your life.

It requires commitment, time, and effort. It’s important not to neglect yourself. If nurturing yourself doesn’t come naturally, try these ways you can practice mental self-care and give yourself some self-love.

20 Ways To Practice Self-Love

1. Get To Know Yourself

You can’t love someone if you don’t even know who they are, and that goes for yourself too.

Invest some time in discovering what you believe in, what your values are, and things you like.

Learn what your love language is so you know how to show yourself some love.

2. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

Replace criticism and comparison with acceptance and appreciation.

Try to be aware of when you criticize or compare yourself to others. When those thoughts come, stop and think of something you like about yourself, or simply repeat a self-love mantra.

Other people aren’t better than you, they’re just different. You have value and you need to accept and appreciate that.

3. Allow Yourself To Be Present

Life can be really busy and it may seem like we never have time to just relax and treat ourselves.

So just allow yourself to be present and find relaxation in every moment you can.

Instead of just focusing on rushing to work, focus on the scenery around you as you go there, stop for a coffee before work and just let yourself be present.

4. Understand and Appreciate Your Strengths

We all have things we’re good at, but many of them go unnoticed by us.

Understanding these strengths is important in practicing self-love.

When you’re busy and distracted it’s hard to appreciate these qualities. Focusing on your strengths will increase your positive feelings for yourself, and allow you to see yourself in a more positive light.

5. Treat Yourselves

We often forget to treat ourselves. I’m not talking about rewarding yourself, Im talking about getting yourself something you want just because.

Whether it’s just a small snack you like or those new shoes you’ve been eyeing, learn to treat yourself occasionally.

6. Be Honest With Yourself

Being open and honest is an important part of any relationship, and is especially important when practicing self-love.

You can’t love yourself in your entirety if you’re constantly lying to yourself and making excuses. A true form of self-love means taking accountability and taking responsibility.

7. Accept Your Mistakes and Imperfections

We are our hardest critics, and oftentimes than not, we are too hard on ourselves.

Cut yourself some slack and understand that you’re only human. Accept the mistakes you’ve made and understand that you’re not perfect.

When you make a mistake, focus on how you can fix it and avoid making this mistake again rather than focus on the fact that you’ve made a mistake.

8. Stop Looking For Validation

Accept that people won’t always like you.

Some people don’t even need a reason to not like you.

Don’t waste your time trying to please people who are impossible to please or people who just aren’t that important to you.

Being yourself means you have to give up your people-pleasing ways and embrace your authentic self.

9. Make Having Self-Care A Priority

Put self-care on your agenda every week.

Whether you go all out and have an at-home spa day or simply take a long shower for self-care.

There are many easy ways to practice self-care that are easy, I like to give myself pedicures and manicures at home. It’s easy and fun and really makes me feel like I love myself.

Just like rest, we all need self-care in order to feel good. Don’t skimp on this important need.

10. Practice Gratitude As A Form Of Self-Love

Gratitude is one of the simplest ways to focus on the good in yourself and in your life.

Try identifying 3 things you’re grateful for when you wake up every morning, it can be as simple as being grateful for just waking up, or for having had a good night of sleep.

11. Record, Appreciate, and Celebrate Your Accomplishments

This self-love activity is especially great because it allows you to have a record of all your accomplishments, that you can re-visit whenever you’re feeling low.

Add to it and read your list whenever you need to.

When you do have accomplishments, allow yourself to celebrate them and give yourself a healthy reward.

12. Take Care Of Your Body

Good health is the ultimate form of self-love.

Exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy meals, don’t restrict yourself from enjoying your favorite snacks though, everything is fine in moderation.

Get a healthy amount of sleep and limit your alcohol consumption.

13. Pursue A New Hobby

Hobbies can be fun, relaxing, challenging, and creative. Hobbies have been known to have positive effects on your mental health.

Hobbies can be a great way to practice self-love, find a hobby that’s best for you.

14. Communicate With Yourself In A Kind And Positive Way

Self-talk has a big impact on how you feel about yourself.

Ask yourself how you would communicate with someone you love, care about, and admire, and then try to incorporate that communication style into the way you speak to yourself.

The way we talk to ourselves is important for maintaining self-love.

15. Respect Yourself By Setting Boundaries And Prioritizing Your Needs

Helping people is always a good thing unless you do this at your expense.

Practice saying no when you can’t or just don’t want to help out. This will avoid you from having too much on your plate and being overwhelmed.

Being assertive is a way of showing others that your opinions and needs matter. Loving yourself means you know your value and can communicate it to others.

16. Spend Quality Time With Yourself And Go On Solo Dates

Every relationship benefits from quality time.

Learn to appreciate your own company by taking time to take yourself out on solo dates.

Whether it’s pursuing a hobby, meditating, going for a hike, or taking yourself out to the movies, spend time with yourself doing the things you enjoy.

17. Write Yourself A Love Letter

Show yourself some self-love by writing yourself a love letter or a poem.

Focus on what you love about yourself and really just take the time to appreciate yourself.

18. Create A Daily Self-Love Ritual

Unplug and spend your last 15 minutes before your bedtime appreciating yourself. Have a cup of tea and journal, focus on yourself, recite a self-love affirmation, and write three things you love about yourself.

If you can’t think of anything else to write about, here are a few journal prompts.

19. Let Go Of Toxic People

If there’s someone who is bringing toxicity into your life and they constantly make you feel bad, that might mean you need to step away from them.

Don’t be afraid to do this. It’s liberating and important, even if it may be painful.

20. Trust Yourself

We doubt ourselves to make decisions that benefit us, with no reason at all.

Remember that your feelings are valid. You’re not losing touch with reality. You know yourself better than anyone else, so be your best advocate and trust yourself.

Try these 20 ways to show yourself some love, or try out our 30-Day Self-love Challenge.

If your Sundays aren’t filled with relaxation and pampering, then your Sunday routine is all wrong.

For me, Sundays are my holy grail for the week.

It’s definitely a day for me to unwind and relax, and at the same time, set myself up to have a productive week ahead. The way I like to unwind, relax and recharge is by having a self-care Sunday and pampering myself.

Make yourself a priority and give your body, mind, and soul the love you deserve! It’s time to put yourself first and practice some self-love by trying these amazing self-care Sunday ideas.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is the practice of looking after your physical, emotional, and mental health intentionally.

It is a decision-making process that empowers you to look after your own health and well-being efficiently and conveniently.

It’s a fairly broad term and can mean different things to different people, self-care looks different for all of us.

Why is Self-Care Sunday important?

There are many benefits to having self-care Sundays.

We live in a time where we are rewarded for overworking and expected to achieve more in a shorter span of time. As a result, we feel tired and stressed and can easily burn out. Even when we aren’t doing something, we feel like we should be working.

By setting aside a day to relax and pamper ourselves and recharge we can:

-feel energized and ready for the week ahead

-be more efficient during the week

-prevent mental overload and burnout

-creates a better work-life balance

-allows for a healthier lifestyle

-reduces your stress levels

-improves your physical and emotional health

-helps strengthen your bond with yourself and improves your self-love

-improves your self-confidence and self-esteem

Self-care is essential to creating a more balanced and rounded life.

31 Self-Care Sunday Ideas for You to Try

Self-Care Activities Under 5 Minutes (For The People Who Are Just Too Buzy)

Taking care of yourself is important, and even if you just have 5 minutes for self-care, these self-care tips will help you relax and rejuvenate.

1. Meditate and take deep breaths to really ground yourself and calm yourself down, this works even if you just have 5 minutes.

2. List at least 10 things in your journal that you are grateful for today.

3. Play some happy music, music has the ability to affect your mood, so put on your favorite song and sing along to boost your mood.

4. Hydrate, we often forget to drink water, I know I do. So drink some water to treat your body to some good hydration.

5. Stretch your body to release tension and relax your body.

6. Talk to a loved one and vent, or simply catch up with them. Sometimes all we need is some human affection and love to boost our mood.

7. Practice some self-love, and do a 30-day self-love challenge. These usually have different self-care activities that are quick and easy but highly effective.

8. Take out your journal and write down your thoughts and feelings, you may not have time to process them right now, but at least you have gotten them off your shoulders.

9. Make yourself a healthy snack when you feel a bit peckish, stay away from your salty, sweet, and unhealthy snacks, and have a delicious healthy snack.

10. Have a cup of tea outside, sometimes all we need is some fresh air and calm to relax and de-stress. I recommend some chamomile tea to really calm you down.

11. Do your skincare routine, whenever I finish my skincare, my face looks glowy and so healthy that it just boosts my mood, and don’t forget to apply your sunscreen.

12. Read a chapter of a good book, I love reading for self-care, the right book can really set the tone for your day.

13. Go for a short walk and practice mindful walking.

14. Cuddle your partner, pet, or child. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I love to go cuddle up to my boyfriend and it instantly soothes me.

15. Have some quiet time, and spend a few minutes every Sunday in stillness.

Self-Care Activities Under An Hour

Taking care of yourself is important, and even if you just have an hour for self-care, these self-care tips will help you relax and rejuvenate.

1. Go on a long walk along the beach, a hiking trail, or anywhere that feels like a happy place to you.

2. Watch a good Bob Ross video and grab paint supplies and allow yourself to be creative.

3. Cook yourself a healthy meal, or bake yourself some cookies. Baking and cooking are known to be great soothing activities.

4. Give yourself a steam facial. It will leave your skin feeling soft and leave you feeling cute.

5. Give yourself an at-home pedicure. I love getting my feet massaged and rubbed, but sometimes we just don’t have time, take some time and give yourself a good pedicure at home.

6. Try out a micro french manicure all the girls are trying it, so why not give it a shot and give yourself a manicure to really pamper yourself.

7. Spend some time with someone you love, bonus points if you do it outside.

8. Go to an exercise class, whether it’s yoga, pilates, or a HIIT class, going to a workout class is a great self-care activity. Not only do you get to work out your body, but you also have the opportunity to make new friends and interact with people.

9. Have a relaxing bath, baths are great for washing away the stress of the day and unwinding. Make sure to pull out all the stops, candles, relaxing music, and Epsom salts.

10. Take a relaxing luxury shower. If you’re not into baths, showers can be a relaxing time too. Light some candles and have yourself a warm luxury shower.

11. Reflect on your journal, sometimes we journal and don’t really have time to reflect on what we have written. So grab your journal and reflect on your thoughts and feelings from the night before.

12. Curl up on the sofa, grab a blanket, and watch an episode of your favorite show.

13. Take a nap. A quick 30-minute nap can have an amazingly restorative effect on your body and your mind.

14. Clean your space, I love being in a clean organized space, I may not enjoy cleaning but the feeling of being in a clean place is enough reward for me to go through that.

15. Get a professional massage.

16. Go get a professional manicure, maybe you don’t want to go the DIY route, so go get yourself a manicure.

17. Listen to a good podcast that you enjoy.

18. Buy yourself some flowers.

19. Plan your week ahead to allow for a more relaxed and stress-free week.

Self-Care Activities Under 3 Hours

1. Have a solo date. Go out and spend some quality time with yourself.

2. Get lost in a good book to escape and let your mind relax.

3. Have a proper skincare routine. Dermatologists’ recommend waiting in between applications of our skincare products to really allow them to be effective. So have yourself a proper skincare routine, waiting the recommended time in between applications to really get the most out of your skincare.

4. Binge your favorite show. Right now, I’m loving Only Murders In The Building, and I can’t wait for season 3! I just love Selena Gomez, and Maryl Streep will be joining in! Gag!

5. Go to brunch with a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

6. Meal plan for the week to stay on track with your health goals. Whether that’s simply buying groceries or cooking all your meals ahead.

7. Declutter your home to make cleaning your house easier during the week.

8. Try something new that you’ve been meaning to try. Whether it’s painting, bowling, or maybe a cooking class.

9. Go on a picnic.

10. Have a digital detox, and allow yourself to shut off the outside noise.

11. Plan your month ahead to allow for a more relaxed and stress-free month.

12. Go on a date with your partner, whether it’s a last-minute date or maybe you want to try something new and go on a different type of date.

13. Practice an act of kindness to do some good for others.

Self-Care Activities For The Entire Self-Care Sunday

1. Have an at-home spa day. Set up your home to be your very own sanctuary for the day and treat yourself to all your favorite pamper treatments.

2. Dedicate your day to volunteering and giving to those in need.

3. Rest. Catch up on your sleep and do nothing at all for the bulk of the day. Really allow yourself to have a Sunday reset.

4. Make a self-care schedule for the week. Using these 51 self-care activities, make a self-care schedule to really optimize your self-care routine for the week.

Take some time each Sunday to pamper yourself and have a self-care day to really unwind for the week ahead.

Incorporate some of these easy self-care ideas for a happier more positive start to your days.

If you’re anything like me, many of your mornings involve snoozing your alarm, grabbing whatever you can for breakfast( mostly unhealthy), and then running out the door – the total opposite of relaxing.

We don’t all have time to follow a meticulous and relaxing morning routine that we see on youtube.

However, the best morning routine simply needs to include simple self-care practices. These small self-care activities will make a great difference to start your day on a happier and healthier note.

Well, I’m writing this post today so you can start incorporating these easy self-care ideas into your morning routine.

Morning Self-Care Routine Ideas

1. Wake Up Naturally

Getting up a little earlier to start your day is great, but sometimes the best self-care is listening to your body and taking the extra sleep.

Let your body decide when it wants to wake up, this is best started on a day when you don’t have to be anywhere too early in the morning.

You can shift up the time you wake up by slowly turning back the time that you go to sleep. The earlier you sleep, the earlier your body will feel rested and wake up naturally. No alarm clock, and no groggily hitting your snooze button.

That’s the best self-care of all.

If you’re still struggling with this or just can’t seem to wake up on time, you can also try the Wake Up Light Alarm Clock.

Unlike other alarm clocks, it helps you wake up naturally and gently by slowly lighting up your room and playing some gentle soothing music.

2. Hydrate Your Body

As soon as you wake up, drink a cup of water to hydrate your body.

Drinking water as soon as you wake up will boost your energy and help you get going. Besides, what better way to start your day than with a refreshing tall drink of water?!

3. Go Analog

Another self-care activity that is super easy to incorporate into your day is going totally analog for the first 30 minutes of your day.

I’m talking no TV, radio, social media, TikTok… nothing!

Looking at your phone as soon as you wake up not only strains your eyes but also diverts your attention from your priorities.

Take the first 30 minutes of your day to totally detox from any technology. This will allow you to start off your day more peacefully and relaxing because you don’t have all this outside noise that’s convoluting you as soon as you wake up.

4. Enjoy A Warm Cup Of Tea

The simple act of sitting in silence and enjoying a cup of tea is one of my favorite self-care routines.

Turn your hot drink into a self-care morning ritual by intentionally being alone and enjoying your cup of tea, having a slow and gentle start to your day.

Even small acts like this can really make a difference to your day.

5. Take A Short Walk Around The Block

This is a great way to wake up your body and get your blood flowing and move your body.

Just walk around your block to get some fresh air and allow yourself to prepare for the day mentally.

This self-care act will benefit you both mentally and physically as well as bring your emotions in tune to allow for a better start to your day.

6. Listen To A Feel Good Podcast or Music

This is a self-care activity that you can incorporate even if you don’t have any extra time.

Tune in to your favorite podcast or play a feel-good playlist to really get you into the mood for the day.

This is a great way to start your day on a really positive note and put you in a positive mood.

7. Take The Time To Journal

Julia Cameron encourages people to start the day with three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing—“whatever crosses your mind”—and claims doing so will improve your life across the board, including getting in touch with your emotions.

Morning pages might not be the right way to go for you, as with all self-care practices we all do it differently.

Journaling isn’t one-size-fits-all, there are many types of journaling that you can try and when you feel blank and have nothing to write about, there are journal prompts you can give a shot at as well.

Keeping a journal will work wonders for your emotional and mental well-being. 

8. Do Your Skin-Care Routine

Starting off your day on a positive note might be as easy as including a few skincare activities in your morning self-care routine.

This can be whatever skincare looks like to you.

I love to do skincare at the start of my day, having glowing skin and a plump face just makes me feel so ready for my day.

Don’t forget to put on your sunscreen.

9. Dry Brush Before Your Shower

Dry brushing your body is a simple self-care practice that involves lightly massaging your body with a body brush; upwards from your toes til you reach your heart.

It helps get rid of dead skin cells and improves your blood circulation, among other things.

Dry brushing can be done at any time, I suggest you do it before you shower to wash off the dead skin after you have removed them.

10. Make Yourself A Healthy Breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast each morning is such a great self-care idea to incorporate into your day.

If you don’t have a lot of time in the morning to make yourself a nourishing healthy breakfast, try meal prepping your food to stay on track with your health goals.

11. Read From A Book That Inspires You

I think the best type of book to read first thing in the morning is a good self-help book; something that sets the stage for the day you want to have.

This is the kind of self-care that really feeds you emotionally.

A recent favorite of mine is…You a Badass by Jen Sincero

Pick any book that’s calling your name, then set a timer for 15 minutes and just allow yourself to unwind.

12. Make A Gratitude List

Maybe journaling is too overwhelming for you some mornings, so why not make a short gratitude list?

Simply write down three things you are grateful for today.

That’s it, just a simple act of self-care that can really affect your day in such a positive way.

The key to building a smart and healthy self-care routine is just starting. Start incorporating these simple self-care activities into your routine to start your day on the right note.

The best way to gather your thoughts and relax at the end of the day is with a self-care night routine. Here are 12 excellent suggestions you can incorporate into your nightly self-care routines for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Anyone who appreciates the value of taking time for themselves will understand that connecting with oneself at night is a wonderful way to unwind.

Self-care is the final piece and presto! It’s the ideal formula for relaxing alone time.

Self-care before going to bed can be used to enhance mental health or engage in a proactive self-growth process.

Here’s a nice introduction for those of you who are fresh to the world of self-care.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is a proactive and thoughtful way to take care of your well-being. Realizing your needs and choosing to meet them is important.

It includes things that allow you to unwind, relieve stress, and advance through life at a pace that feels natural to you.

I know it may seem selfish to put time aside for yourself, but you might find yourself fighting this practice. Self-care is not selfish in the slightest.

You have the power to direct your own existence in any way you see fit because you are in charge of it.

You want self-care on your ship, not outside of it, I assure you. You owe it to yourself as an adult to incorporate self-care into your lifestyle and daily routine.

Why You Need Self-Care At Night

I’d advise anyone just getting started with self-care to start by incorporating it into their bedtime routine because it’s the ideal method to wind down.

Throughout the day, our mind is exposed to a lot of external energy.

Most likely, you bring it with you to bed each night, repeating the pattern the following day. Stress, anxiety, and overthinking result from this. A

lthough we all face significant challenges in life, it’s the minor inconveniences and annoyances that add up to form a stress ball in our heads.

By addressing your worries at the end of the day, which is where self-care comes in, you can completely avoid this.

How To Create The Perfect Self-Care Night Routine

I share 12 self-care night routine suggestions in this post that would be a great fit for your bedtime.
Choose the ones that best appeal to you, then enjoy creating your own unique nighttime routine.

1. Have A Screen Detox

Tuning out the outside noise—which we frequently tote in the form of our phones—is the first step in entering a safe zone for self-care.

No matter how many benefits this tiny gadget may have, it is still a source of anxiety and should be eliminated from our nightly routine.

Your entire day is taken up with setting work priorities, interacting with people, and attending to your obligations. However, you should only use your evenings to unwind and relax.

This is the time for you to spend alone and without the outside world. Deactivate your notifications right away, or better yet, put your phone away.

It might take a few evenings to completely overcome the urge to pull out your phone, but you’ll actually look forward to this point of your day.

2. Get Some Fresh Air

You might want just want to tune everything out and unwind in bed after engaging with the outside world all day.

But it’s important to acknowledge nature’s strength. There are numerous aspects of the environment that we frequently take for granted.

Due to this, nighttime is ideal for discovering small pleasures in nature and cultivating heartfelt appreciation.

Just take a quick two-minute stroll outside to observe your environment. Go for a quick stroll if you like the way the air feels.

Watch the trees around you, take a moment to scent the flowers, and let nature soothe your mind.

If it’s not too chilly outside when you get back, keep your windows open and carry on with the rest of your evening routine.

3. Wash The Day Away

The best aspect of any nighttime routine is getting washing away the stress from the day.

I value my evening showers highly, and for a good cause. You can unwind and get rid of your day’s worries by taking a relaxing shower or a warm bath, maybe even a detox bath at the end of the week.

You can have a daily spa-like experience at home in a magical and affordable manner. I firmly think that the healing properties of water are real.

Use its abilities to wind down your day on a positive note and get a good night’s sleep. Light scented lamps before taking a bath to relax your senses and make use of your favorite body lotion.

4. Do Some Skincare

Your skin accumulates oil, dirt, and pollution throughout the course of the day, and water is insufficient to remove them.

Additionally, your skin is delicate after a bath and requires appropriate hydration to prevent damage. So begin your skincare regimen as soon as you get out of the shower or bath.

Apply body lotion all over your hands and thighs if they feel dry. Wash your face, use a toner, then a good moisturizer to complete your hygiene routine.

To reduce puffiness around your eyes, use an eye cream or eye roll. Alternately, use a pleasant, relaxing face mask or scrub.

5. Plan Your Day

You ought to be basking in serenity and feeling pretty at ease at this point of your routine. Now it’s time to get a little work done and prepare for the next day.

And don’t worry. This won’t increase your stress levels or interfere with your me-time.

It’s simply a mindful way to plan your next day so that you don’t feel rushed and stressed or arrive late for work. Choose your outfit for the next day, get your gym clothes and gear ready if you exercise in the morning, pack your bag for work, and make a note of your plans.

You should incorporate this process into your bedtime routine. Feel free to omit it if you prefer to get things done in the morning before you start your day.

6. Try Some 5-Minute Meditation

This will enable you to live in the moment and really be present. Just five minutes of meditation will help you gather your scattered thoughts and let go of your concerns and put the day behind you.

Take a comfortable position while lying in bed (I prefer doing it with my back against the wall).

Then choose a mediation method that best suits your needs. For beginners, controlling your breathing is always a good place to begin.

Breathe in for three counts, maintain for three, then let out in three seconds. Play around with these numbers to find the right balance for you.

Focusing on each individual sound will help you tune into the motions of your environment. It’s a technique that will assist you in quieting the chatter in your head.

7. Journal

Being mindful is the foundation of self-care. And writing down your thoughts while journaling is the best way to really be mindful.

You only need to write before bed to calm your restless energy, identify the direction of your thoughts, and rejuvenate your mind.

It’s a fantastic method for classifying your ideas and managing your life. Depending on how I’m feeling, I can doodle, write a letter to myself, and decide what I want to accomplish the following day.

Try these journal prompts if you don’t like keeping a journal. I almost always use them at night to get ideas, and I believe you might as well.

8. Read A Good Book

I consider reading to be an excellent form of self-care. It’s wonderful how a book will allow you to shut out the world.

There are also countless millions of books published worldwide, so you’ll always have multiple options.

A self-help book is a great way to get new ideas and see things from a different angle at night.

Your ability to solve problems increases and your issues turn into tasks that you are willing to take on. Non-fiction and fiction books alike are excellent for winding down at night.

What could possibly be more energizing than submerging yourself in a new environment? Make it a point to read every night. How beneficial it is to your personality will surprise you.

9. Stretch Before Bed

One of the most popular recommendations for enhancing your quality of sleep is to stretch in bed. It helps in bodily relaxation, muscle stretching, and mental preparation for a restless night.

Additionally, it helps you to digest food and relax your neck and back. It works just as well for me to get clear of my stressful thoughts as meditation does.

It is without a doubt the simplest and least stressful type of physical activity you can perform. My go-to stretching technique is this 10-minute bed yoga practice. To see a difference in your sleep, give it a try today.

10. Unwind To Some Soothing Music

It’s time for our final self-care practice of the evening. It’s crucial to end your evening regimen with some downtime.

Music, in my opinion, is the ideal distraction for this activity because it allows you to relax.

I enjoy closing my eyes and listening to slow, soft music on my music device. If I’m not yet in the mood to go to slumber, I do my nails or write in my journal.

You are free to develop your own closing ceremony for your daily routine but do make an effort to incorporate music.

Before going to bed, I try to complete as many of these tasks as I can. Everything depends on my mood and what I’m willing to do.

If you can’t do it all, save the other activities for another time and only do in those that fit your mood for the evening.

Be aware that some evenings you may just want to lie in bed listening to music, and that’s perfectly fine too.

You’ll be fine if you follow your bedtime ritual deliberately and mindfully.

Self-care should be more of a daily habit than just the few times you get to pamper yourself.

Instead of taking luxury bubble baths, ask yourself each day and calling it self-care, find out what your body and mind really need, and then fulfill those needs.

Self-care is the discipline of attending to your needs, but sometimes it can be challenging to identify those needs.

Here are a few self-care suggestions that can help you manage your stress and avoid burnout for those extra-stressful days.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care entails making the time to do things that enhance your quality of life and your physical and mental well-being.

Self-care can improve your energy levels, reduce your risk of sickness, and help you manage stress and avoid burnout when it comes to your mental health.

The impact of even modest daily self-care actions can be significant.

Taking care of your needs in every area of your life is known as self-care. It is what you do to look for your general health and well-being.

The most fundamental types of self-care include eating, sleeping, and attending to our physical needs.

But let’s face it, because of all of our conflicting demands and responsibilities, many of us find it difficult to do these three things well.

We must prioritize self-care because stress and mental health problems are common as a result.

Benefits Of Practicing Self-Care

There are other benefits to engaging in daily self-care, even for a few minutes each day, aside from the apparent advantage of enhancing your health and mental well-being.

However, making more time for yourself or even scheduling a self-care Sunday once or twice a month can be helpful.

Other Benefits Of Self-Care:

-Eliminates burnout, stress, and worry

-Helps with depression

-Enhances your mental well-being, increases resilience, and mood

-Helps in feeling more self-assured and confident

-Increases productivity

-Increasing your sense of joy

-Makes you feel more tranquil

-Helps increase self-awareness

-Create a life purpose, intention, and focus

-Allows you to spend time and effort on the things and people you care about

-Develops your sense of worth, self-worth, and self-esteem

Practicing Self-Care At-Home

Maintaining our space is one of the main ways we can take care of ourselves at home. Maintaining a tidy home can have a significant impact on your mood and entire day.

Have you ever noticed a difference in your energy level in an extremely cluttered environment? It usually reflects your interior state of being.

Even if all you have time for today is sweeping your floors, or making your bed, you’ll still feel accomplished and your space will feel just all that much cleaner.

Even though you aren’t leaving the house, you can still take care of your bodily needs. Doing it for yourself may be a lot of fun!

Take care and pride in your self-image, whether that means dressing professionally for work or even when you work from home. You can dress up if you want to.

Related Post: 10 Cleaning Hacks When You Just Don’t Have Time

100 Self-Care Ideas For Stress Relief And Burnout

Remember that these are only suggestions. When you ask yourself what you need and choose an action that meets that need (even if it does nothing), that action becomes self-care.

• Go on a leisurely bike ride
• Perform a brief Pilates or yoga session
• Take your pet on a walk
• Develop a regular sleep routine. When we follow a healthy and regular sleep schedule, both our bodies and minds flourish.
• Sip a cup of herbal tea—here are some of my favorites:

Related: Three Hot Teas That Will Help You Feel Better

• Make a smoothie with your favorite fruits and vegetables
• Try repeating a few self-love affirmations
• List ten things for which you are grateful for
• Take an Epsom salts and essential oil detox bath
• Give yourself a steam facial, not only will this leave your skin feeling healthy but it also carries its own health benefits
• Take a nap and just reset
• Go to a workout class, it will leave you feeling accomplished, burn off stress (and calories) and you might just meet a friend
• Cook your favorite meal for yourself and enjoy a glass of wine
• Watch your guilty pleasure movie and have your favorite snacks
• Create a vision board on Pinterest, this can be for your wardrobe, your career, or your entire life
• Practice guided meditation
• Take a walk in nature to catch the sunset. Or if you leave near the beach like me, go catch the sunset there
• Book yourself a massage and go get those knots worked out of you
• To stay hydrated and lower your risk of headaches, drink plenty of water throughout the day. I adore all of these attractive and useful water bottle choices:

• Provide service to a charity that is important to you
• Establish productive work habits, such as taking things slowly in the beginning and avoiding constantly checking your emails
• Visit your neighborhood library to choose an inspiring book
• Get writing…anything, whether it be a book, article, journal entry, or brain dump
• Consider taking an online language course
• Establish a daily reading schedule of 5–10 pages of a book
• Watch and follow a short workout video
• Call a family member or friend and catch up
• Write your future self a letter. Talk about how you’re feeling, where you are in life currently, and where you wish to be when you read the letter
• Write your past self a letter. This is a great chance to forgive yourself for past mistakes and also thank your past self for getting you where you are today
• Play a video game or an online game, and let all that rage out by destroying zombies in Call of Duty or killing off your friends in Fortnite
• Buy yourself a big bouquet of flowers
• Make a list of 5 things you love about yourself
• Vent about your day in your journal or diary

Related: Journaling Prompts For Self-Reflection And Self-Care

• Create a bucket list of things you want to achieve, and actually do them!
• Organize your space for 30 minutes
• Read a self-help book on self-improvement
• Take a long walk and just detach from technology
• Make your own homemade face mask and give yourself a facial
• Spend the morning in bed, writing your own affirmations
• Make yourself a few nice cocktails and listen to some music
• Do an at-home workout
• Try walking meditation to relax
• Do a reverse coloring book

• Watch your favorite YouTuber
• Give yourself a pedicure to pamper your sore feet
• Organize your closet and plan your outfits for the week
• When you can, use the stairs to get some exercise in
• Put on your best special occasion jewelry and dress up and go on a solo date for no reason. We reserve our best attire, accessories, and jewelry for special events, but every day is a gift, so embrace it!
• Sing and dance to your favorite songs
• Create and send a card of gratitude to a loved one
• Listen to your favorite podcast
• Declutter your emails
• Pet your animal and play with it
• Hug a loved one or cuddle your pet
• Drink an entire glass of water
• Go watch the sunset
• Take a few deep breaths and unwind for 15 minutes in a peaceful environment
• Create a touching care package for a friend or family member who is in need. One of the best things we can do to live a happier, more fulfilled life is to be of service to others
• Read a devotional or uplifting quote each morning
• Take a tranquil stroll through a nearby forest or on a hiking trail to get in touch with nature
• Update your morning routine
• Wash and replace your bedding. We all know it needs it
• Fill your diffuser with premium essential oils

• Perform an act of kindness
• Go on a solo coffee date
• Clearly state your core values and principles. Spend some time considering and identifying your basic principles. Not only for taking care of yourself but also to live your most genuine life and stay faithful to what matters most
• Develop a motivational mantra for yourself
• Join a social group with similar interests to your own. Consider joining a kickboxing club, knitting group, culinary class, or book club
• Send a random note of encouragement to someone
• Take a friend out for coffee or tea and have a stimulating discussion
• Arrange an annual family gathering
• Host a girls’ night out once a month with a friend or two
• Wake up earlier and catch the sunrise
• Take some time to practice mindfulness
• Plan a solo staycation
• Follow a stretching tutorial on Youtube and relax your body
• Binge-watch your favorite Tv show
• Spend the evening catching up with your friends
• Declutter your brain by having a brain dump, I’ve had some of my best ideas come to life like this
• Take your partner out on a date night
• Try something new (such as a new restaurant or skill)
• Give yourself an at-home manicure
• Practice digital detox for an entire day
• Eat only healthy food for a day
• Go outside and enjoy the sunshine
• Light your favorite candle and pour yourself a glass of wine

• Have an at-home spa day

Related: Essentials For The Perfect At-Home Spa Day

• Make yourself a hearty dessert and enjoy it
• Place a takeout order and stay in bed all night
• Put a positive message for yourself in the mirror
• Learn a new skill
• Learn something new about yourself
• Start keeping a journal. This tried-and-true method is excellent for expressing your emotions. Keep things straightforward; there’s no need to overthink anything. Be truthful and write as you choose, whether it’s in point form, a letter to yourself or another person, a brain dump, or a few sentences.
• Complete the following affirmative sentence: “My superpowers are________________.”
• Watch your favorite heartwarming comedy film for a few hearty chuckles
• Practice self-love. The most crucial component of emotional self-care is self-compassion. Be intentional about treating yourself like a loved one, and be kind to yourself when you make mistakes.
• Every day, give yourself at least two compliments.
• Do some gardening
• Print out some of your favorite pictures and frame them around the house
• Try this 30-day self-love challenge

Nothing on this list is the correct or wrong way to practice self-care. Remember that practicing self-care simply involves asking yourself what you need and providing it guilt-free.

Be compassionate to yourself by allowing yourself to have whatever needs you have. You are free to do whatever you want as long as you pay attention to your needs.

Taking this 7-day self-care challenge will help you concentrate on your health each day by setting self-care challenges.

Your choice to participate is already a step in the right direction. This 7-day self-care challenge is great for anyone who has been wanting to try out a 30-day self-care challenge but has been struggling to commit to it.

Are you ready to accept the challenge? Let’s get going. Each challenge aims to enhance one of the three different forms of your health—mental, physical, or emotional—all of which are crucial at this time.

We invite you to save the 7-day calendar to Pinterest and use it to keep track of your progress each day as you go.

Why Try The 7-Day Self-Care Challenge

Consider the following reasons why committing to anything for just 7 days might change your life:

The 7-Day Self-Care Challenge

Keep in mind that this challenge is for you, so adjust the daily challenges as necessary.

Day 1: Read A Good Book

Choose a comfortable spot to read a book or designate a zen area in your home.

It can be a nice retreat without ever leaving the house to get lost in something unrelated to what is currently happening in your life.

Anything goes as long as it gives you a mental respite and makes you feel more at ease (or energized) than you did before you picked up the book.

Reading is essentially a mindfulness practice. When we read, it demands all of our focus and compels us to be present.

Another fantastic way to advance our education is by reading. Maybe you wish to alternate between a novel and a nonfiction book.

As you set aside a little time each day to read, you’ll feel more confident and curious.

Related Post: 20 Books For Your Next Self-care Day

Day 2: Create A Morning Routine

With a morning routine, you can start your day off perfectly.

Add activities that will help you have the greatest day possible to your routine.

This may be completing a morning stretch, changing your bed, or sitting outside with a cup of coffee—whatever makes you feel ready to face the day.

Once you have it down, stick to it every morning for the rest of this week.

According to research, it typically takes 66 days for someone to develop the habit of doing something, but it wouldn’t hurt to try and consistently do it for 7 days, maybe it might just stick.

You may set the tone for the day by starting your day with a routine you enjoy.

Try doing something every morning that is just for you instead of waking up to your alarm, checking your email in bed, or rushing out to work.

I strongly advise challenging yourself to forgo technology during your first few minutes of the day because a healthy morning routine is essential for setting your day up for success.

Keep your phone out of the bedroom to do this. Some people might find this difficult, so be kind to yourself and keep trying!

Plan a quick, personal morning routine, and keep in mind that everything on your phone will still be there when you decide to pick it up more intentionally.

Make your bedroom a haven of relaxation and sleep by making a small investment in a basic digital or analog clock for your nightstand to wake you up in the morning.

Related Post: The Best Morning Routine For Your Mental Health

Day 3: Write 3 Goals Or Intentions For Yourself

Choose three goals or intentions that you have for yourself. A potent mental workout is to set an aim, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional.

The first step in achieving something is to map out what it is you want out of life or what you want to improve on.

As a reminder of your goals, write down these intentions and post them somewhere you can see them.

Even while it’s acceptable to not always follow through on your objectives, try to hold yourself responsible for the ones that you did.

Day 4: Take A Luxury Bath

Tonight, your goal is to unwind completely. Lie in a nice, long bath with candles, bubbles, and perhaps your favorite book or magazine.

Even though it might not seem difficult, taking a warm bath can be very beneficial.

In fact, a warm bath in the evening can not only improve your mood and encourage relaxation but also aid in improving your quality of sleep.

Related Post: How To Have A Luxury Bath: Steps And Products For Healthy Skin

Day 5: Start A Gratitude Journal

Consider your list of gratitude for today. Write down at least three things that you are truly grateful for in the morning before you start your day.

Make sure to use a designated journal for this, and continue starting your days with gratitude for the remainder of the self-care challenge.

You may increase your optimism, raise your self-esteem, relieve tension, and uplift your mood by concentrating on your thankfulness.

It’s also a terrific technique to maintain perspective amid hectic times and keep in mind that there are positive aspects and things to be thankful for.

Most people have chronic negative self-talk when they make a mistake. We want to be our own best friends, but it’s really difficult to think of nice, encouraging things to say to ourselves in the moment.

So making a list of what you are grateful for so you may tell yourself when you’re tempted to criticize yourself.

Then, set the alarm or appointment on your phone at least three times daily, and include your empowering self-talk in the event’s description.

Practice saying these things to yourself when the reminder sounds so that when the situation really heats up, you’ll be thinking about your new, loving self-talk.

Related Post: Journaling Self Care: What It Is And How To Do It

Day 6: Go On A Solo Date

It’s time to be a little more impulsive. Have a spontaneous date with just yourself.

Need inspiration? You could organize a fondue night, a picnic in your living room, a board game, a themed supper, a virtual exercise class, a fort to build, a scavenger hunt to plan, or dress up and spend a romantic evening by candlelight.

Setting aside time for oneself is crucial because feeling in control of our time and lives is a key component of effective self-care.

When we are continuously attending to the demands of others, we may feel exhausted, resentful, and hurried.

Making time for yourself, even if it’s only for an hour, is a terrific tool for having a date with yourself and doing whatever you want to do.

Whatever the activity and your resources, the emphasis needs to be on doing something you like to do.

It might be unwinding with a book, going for a stroll, catching up with friends, or [treating] yourself to a bite to eat.

Related Post: Solo Date Ideas For Your Next Self-Date

Day 7: Reflect On Your Week

You’ve successfully completed day 7 of the self-care challenge, congrats! Take a moment to consider the following questions as you consider the past 7 days as your final challenge.

I want to emphasize once more that as you begin this 7-Day challenge, try not to have any expectations and just be present.

Hold yourself responsible for keeping your promises, but do not be hard on yourself. You should be proud of yourself for making such significant progress as to be intentionally attempting.

It takes practice to do this. Remember to start out small and to be patient and kind to yourself as you go through the process.

I’m hoping you’re feeling great right now. Now choose your top assignments from this challenge. In order to establish your personal routine, start incorporating them into your days.

I would love to hear about your experience, so please leave a comment below or send me an email.