Self-care is a conscious effort to make time for yourself and do things that fill your cup. Prioritizing self-care can help your overall well-being, promoting physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. So, here are some fun ways to show yourself some love when you need a little time for you.

1. Make/bake/order and eat your favorite meal or snack

When we are having emotionally difficult or even busy days we can often forget to eat. Slowing down to enjoy our favorite food can not only be nourishing for the soul but can help our nervous system regulate with the help of that delicious food that we’re consuming.

2. Watch a cozy or comedic movie or show

Sometimes I like to watch a “comfort movie” when I am having a hard day or need to take a break from a hectic schedule. There are days when a show is easier to commit to timing-wise, but it can be nice to slow down and enjoy something we have been wanting to watch or something that we’ve previously enjoyed. Some of my go-to movies/shows: Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Heartstopper, Elemental, Ratatouille, Brooklyn 99, and Bridesmaids

3. Drink a cup of warm tea while enjoying a book

Warm beverages can be grounding for our bodies and a good book can help us distract ourselves from the ebb and flow of daily life. Goodreads, local bookstores and libraries, and looking for books in your favorite genre online can be helpful ways to find a story you might want to dive into. Look for decaffeinated teas if you are feeling especially anxious; lavender, fruit, mint, and chamomile teas can all be great choices.

4. Move your body

Moving does not mean heavy exercise is required. Dancing to your favorite tunes, walking outside, stretching on the ground while you slowly wake up for a few minutes, it all counts, and it all helps us to reconnect and check in with our body. Don’t be afraid to use YouTube to find a video to guide you through any sort of movement that feels right for you, even “shaking it out” and jumping up and down does wonders for the body and mind.

6. Listen to a guided meditation or guided imagery

If this is your first time trying meditation, start with something shorter. Insight Timer is an app on my phone I like to use to find meditations because you can sort them by length. There are many free resources on this app as well as on YouTube. I personally enjoy meditations with nature sounds or music in the background. It can be helpful to practice meditation regularly to get the benefits, but it is not required! See Camille’s Guided Self-Love Meditation here.

7. Try Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) can be a fantastic resource for before bedtime and on high-anxiety days. PMR is the act of tensing and relaxing our muscles from our head to our toes and can be helpful to reset when we are on edge. Here’s a 7-minute video from TherapistAid that I like to share with clients and friends alike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nZEdqcGVzo

8. Call a friend or family member

Humans thrive on connecting with others. Don’t forget to reach out to loved ones to talk about whatever it is you want: maybe a goal for the next few months, a funny story, memories with them, or even some hardships. Sometimes we can feel lighter when we share our frustrations with others who can validate our experiences and have the time and energy to do so.

9. Complete part of a task or check a few things off of your to-do list

Stress is a feeling we are all probably familiar with. Sometimes a helpful way to take care of ourselves is to complete some tasks on our to-do lists. At times, it can be difficult to motivate ourselves. Setting a timer for 15 minutes and seeing what you can get done or listening to something while we complete a task can be helpful ways to encourage ourselves to remove some of those stressors that weigh heavy on our minds.

10. Be outside in the sun

Being outside in the sun can be a great way to wake up or warm up. We are all just plants with emotions and could use some Vitamin D on a daily basis. Bring a journal, book, or your phone outside and take some moments to soak up the sun. Added bonus: do any of the above ideas while in the sun and you’ll double up on your benefits (not scientifically proven). Just don’t forget to protect yourself from sunburns however you need!

Curious to know what self-care can look like for your teens and kids? Read more here.

Tools for Growth

10 Acts of Self-Care to Show Yourself Some Love