50 ways to practise self-care

You may have heard about the importance of self-care, but sometimes it can be challenging to put it into practice. Self-care isn't always about pampering yourself (although it can include that); it's about taking care of yourself. It can also be about doing things that will benefit you now and in the future.

Here are 50 ideas on how to incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

Relaxation, mindfulness, and mental health

1. Put your phone on "Aeroplane mode" or "Do Not Disturb" so you don't receive notifications for an hour.
2. Try a meditation practice.
3. Start a journal to check in with how you are feeling on a daily or weekly basis.
4. Start a gratitude practice.
5. Take time for small, simple pleasures, like playing with a pet.
6. Have an "unplug" day, where you don't use electronics or devices like the TV and your smartphone, and instead indulge in books or other analogue pleasures.
7. Be kind to yourself. Speak to yourself as you would a friend or a loved one. Don't say negative things about yourself or your body.

Physical health

8. Run yourself a bath and take some time to enjoy it.
9. Set yourself a bedtime and stick to it. A better sleep routine will make a world of difference!
10. Get regular exercise. If you're not sure where to start, search for at-home, no-equipment workout videos on YouTube, or put on your shoes and go for a walk around your neighbourhood.
11. Invest in a pedometer or step counter, or turn on the step counter function on your phone, so that at the end of each day, you can see how active you were. You might be surprised by how many steps you take without even realising it!
12. Make sure you stay hydrated. Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
13. Try an at-home face mask.
14. Stretch your muscles. You might not realise how much tension you hold in your shoulders, neck, and jaw.
15. Go for a walk in the mornings or evenings.

Work

16. Take your holiday leave—even if you use it to relax at home! It's essential to take time away from work to avoid burnout.
17. Make your workspace a nice place to be, whether it's at home or in the office. Add a lovely plant or a framed picture of friends or family to your desk.
18. Use your lunch hour to take a walk, listen to a podcast, or engage in another activity you enjoy.
19. Turn off your work phone and email notifications when you're done with your workday and on weekends.
20. Update your CV. This can remind you of how much you've grown in your current role and encourage you to take pride in your professional accomplishments.

Hobbies

21. Find a podcast or check out a library book on a topic you think you would enjoy.
22. Pick up an old hobby that you stopped doing because life got too busy.
23. Learn a new skill with a YouTube tutorial.
24. Listen to music that cheers you up and energises you.
25. Unfollow social media accounts that make you feel worse about yourself. Subscribe to positive feeds and follow hashtags related to things that interest you and bring you comfort.
26. Take the time to make your home look the way you want it to. If you're unsure about how to bring your vision to life, look to Pinterest for inspiration.
27. Create a list of TV shows, movies, bands, and other entertainment options that friends and family have recommended, and develop a plan to experience them.
28. If you like a piece of art, do some research to see if the artist has produced something else you might like. You might find a new favourite movie, book, or song!
29. Explore your neighbourhood and try out businesses you haven't visited before.
30. Find your favourite restaurant online and write them a positive review. It's a great way to support a local business without spending money, and it feels good to do something nice for someone else.
31. Think about the activities you loved doing as a kid. See if those activities would be available to try again as an adult.

Food

32. Eat mindfully. Eat slowly and check in with your body throughout the meal to see if you're full.
33. Learn to cook your favourite meals. If you're feeling ambitious, you might try to re-create your favourite takeaway order or meal at a restaurant.
34. Find healthy foods that you like. This way, you can enjoy wholesome foods and still feel like you're having a treat.
35. Start a tea ritual. Choose a type of tea that relaxes you and schedule a daily appointment with yourself to brew and enjoy it.
36. Bake a dessert from scratch. If you have more portions than you can stomach, consider sharing them with a friend or neighbour as a treat!
37. Stock your refrigerator with healthy snacks and vegetables, so you're less likely to reach for unhealthy foods when you're hungry.

Friends and family

38. Reach out to a friend you haven't spoken with in a while.
39. Research a trip or activity you'd like to do and start planning for it. If it's something a friend has mentioned, ask them to go with you.
40. Organise a group game night. You might try a trivia quiz or an online virtual game, such as House Party.
41. If you're feeling lonely, make a list of all the people you're grateful you have in your life. It'll remind you that you're not alone, and many people care about you.
42. Take time to play with your pet. The bonus? The pets love it too!
43. When someone says something nice about you, please write it down in a notebook. You'll be able to revisit the compliments as the page fills up.

Do something for "Future You"

44. Do that task you've been dreading, like washing delicates, organising receipts for your taxes, or cleaning a bathroom. Think of it as ticking off a long-standing to-do item.
45. Consider planting an herb garden. Watching something you've planted grow can feel very gratifying; plus, you'll have fresh herbs for cooking!
46. Book out slots of "me" time in your calendar when you keep an hour free for yourself to relax and recharge.
47. Put an energetic song on and tell yourself, "I will clean up my room just as long as this song is playing." Having something pleasant to distract you will help make the chore more tolerable.
48. Brush and floss your teeth every day. Dental work later in life can be painful and expensive!
49. Clear out clutter—toss or donate old clothes, books, or other things that are cluttering your space and mind.
50. Start a "Fun Fund." Every month, set aside $25 for an indulgent treat that you'll enjoy.