Challenge Yourself With 17 Simple Self Care Tips
I am going to ask you two questions. I want you to think about them and be honest with yourself.
Do you take care of yourself? Do you practice self care?
Some people will be able to answer the questions quickly while others will need to think about it.
It sounds simple enough… taking care of yourself. Taking part in self care activities is something everyone does on a daily basis, Right? Wrong. It is surprising how many people do not take care of themselves or practice self care. They place the needs of their spouses and kids first and take care of their needs last. Many times people feel guilty for even thinking about self care or taking the time to take care of their mind, body and soul. It can affect their mental and emotional health.
Stop putting yourself last! It is OK to take care of yourself first.
What is self care?
This is my favourite self care definition:
Attitudes and actions that that contribute to happiness, balance and well being.
Self care encompasses the mind, body and soul. There are many attitudes and actions you can practice that will contribute to your happiness, balance and wellbeing.
Self Care Tips:
- Go for a walk. Inhale the fresh air and listen to all the sounds. Going for a walk is an excellent way to relieve anxiety.
- Spend some time in the garden. Plant some flowers or pick some weeds. Enjoy the fresh air and having your hands in the dirt.
- Sit outside and stare at the clouds or stars. Clear your mind and just stare. Do you see any shapes? Watch the puffy clouds float in the sky. Watch the stars sparkle. Chase all other thoughts from your mind.
- Have a picnic. You can do this alone or with a friend.
- Sit in a chair with your feet on the ground. Straighten your back and close your eyes. Place your hands on your lap. Feel your feet grounding you to the floor. Take deep breaths and count to 10. Feeling your feet firmly on the ground can help reduce panic.
- Meditate. 10 minutes a day can make a difference in your mental health. Focus on your breathing and do a body scan. Release any tension you feel in your body.
- Practice yoga. Feel your body stretch and move. Yin Yoga is perfect for calming the mind.
- Take deep breaths. There are many different breathing techniques that help stress and anxiety.
- Declutter your home. It does not have to be a deep clean. Simply throwing out/donating a few items can help clear the mind.
- Write in a journal. You can write a gratitude list, goals or simply doodle. Putting a pen to paper can be therapeutic.
- Colour! It will bring back childhood memories. Colour outside the lines if you want. Here is a KickAss colouring sheet.
- Go for a drive and turn up the music. Sing at the top of your lungs if you want!
- Get a massage.
- Watch the sun rise or sun set. Enjoy the colourful show. As the sun sets, think of all the good things you accomplished today. As the sun rises, think about all the good things you are going to accomplish today.
- Call a friend and say hi. It is so easy to communicate via text that we tend to forget how nice it is to hear someone’s voice.
- Pet an animal. It is great for your mental health and the animal will enjoy it as well.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking water is very important especially during the hot summer months.
Other self care posts::
Mama, Gove Yourself Some Grace. Tips for Dealing with Serious Illness
Take the Self Care Day Challenge
45 Simple Self-Care Practices for A Healthy Mind. Body and Soul
Do you practice self care? Tell me one item you are going to try on the list above.
Ann
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Gina says
In a busy world it’s so hard to take time for yourself. I’m as guilty as everyone else of putting others before myself, but recently I’ve had to slow down and allow some me time. It took years for me to learn that daily me time would keep me healthy.
kristen says
I loved your blog post because I think a lot of times we don’t take the time to take care of ourselves. I love the bulleted lists that you gave of things to do to help take care of yourself and I plan on doing some myself.
Karen Weece says
I really enjoyed this post. It is amazing how often we neglect to take care of ourselves, even something as simple as sitting in a chair with our feet on the ground for a few moments, quietly, just to connect. I love doing this outside and barefoot, but don’t do it nearly often enough. I appreciate the reminder! I do a lot of these other items, but again, not often enough. Thank you.
Andrea says
I love this post! I take time for self care everyday through working out, journaling and mediation. Most people feel selfish doing anything for themselves and I just don’t understand that logic. I’m a much better wife and Mom when I do this for myself.
Yvette Wackett says
I really liked your content. This is hard to do like you said when life gets so busy.
Crystal Rutherford says
Excellent tips! Self care is so incredibly important but so easy to overlook, it’s always great to find new ways to take care of ourselves.
Jennifer says
Thank you for this list! I have tried to be more intentional with my self-care in the past year, but often get so caught up in life that I don’t make it a priority. I love your suggestions!
Katina Horton says
I do a few of these things on the list. However, this is definitely one area that I need to work on, especially as a single mom, it is so easy to want to put your kids’ needs first. However, you can’t give out what you don’t fill up on as well. Blessings!
Nana says
This was a great reminder to make sure I take time for myself! It is easy to put yourself on the back-burner as you go through a journey to start your own business and sometimes you just gotta remember yourself and how you can’t succeed if you don’t do you first!
Jackie says
Self care is so important— I really need to get better at this! Thanks for the tips!
Dennis M Alongi says
Nice blog Ann. Love the way you write! We all need to slow down and take a look at our lives and how we can improve.
Marcus @strengthery says
Great point you are making in this post. People often get so caught up in life that they forgot to take care of themselves.
Personally, doing weight training, yoga and meditating is what I have found work best for me.
Brian Bishop says
I love this. I agree with keeping pets to improve one’s mental health.