85 Ways to Practice Self-Care

In our busy lives, it can be difficult to make time to cultivate emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing. We may feel disconnected with others and ourselves.

Mindfulness encourages us to be deliberate in our choices. That applies to the kinds of activities we choose for self-care and renewal too.

Next time you take time for yourself, follow this plan to get the most out of the experience:

1. Identify your needs. Ask yourself: Do I need to meaningfully connect with myself or with others?

2. Determine how to address your needs. Ask yourself: Would it feel better to change my mindset or get up and move?

3. Based on your answers, select the corresponding self-care quadrant below. Then scroll down to see a list of activities to choose from.

4. Negotiate time with yourself, family, team.

5. Do it!

Self-Care Activities

1. Spend Time with Yourself

Activities can include:

• Create something​

• Cook

• Eat well​

• Establish an alternative space at home​

• Exercise (moderate, vigorous, or restorative)​

• Feed birds​

• Garden (indoors/outdoors)​

• Give yourself a hug​

• Learn something new​

• Listen to music​

• Listen to podcasts​

• Look out the window​

• Make art​

• Plan a future endeavor​

• Pursue a hobby​

• Read a book​

• Set boundaries​

• Sleep​

• Spend time in nature​

• Spend time with animals​

• Step outside​

• Take a bath​

• Take regular breaks​

• Take a dance break​

• Take walks​

• Try qigong/yoga​

• Try self-soothing techniques​

• Watch sunset/sunrise​

• Watch video classes​

2. Deepen Your Relationship with Yourself

Activities can include:

• Acknowledge/express feelings

• Breathe​

• Change self-talk​

• Daydream​

• Find your higher purpose​

• Journal​

• Laugh​

• Let go of what you can't control​

• Meditate​

• Narrow your focus​

• Perform SET check-ins​

• Pick a word for the year​

• Practice gratitude​

• Practice self-compassion and self-forgiveness​

• Pray​

• Read daily inspirations​

• Reframe the situation​

• Relax​

• Set daily intention​

• Spend time in silent reflection​

• Step into your vulnerability​

• Take long-term view​

• Visualize success​

• Write down and post affirmations​

3. Spend Time with Others​

Activities can include:

• Ask a friend for advice then listen

• Create an admirer gift exchange​

• Do a hobby with others virtually​

• Form a learning group with friends/coworkers​

• Invest in friendships through Zoom, phone, or text​

• Join a recovery group online​

• Join an online interest group around a topic/hobby​

• Meet in small outdoor gatherings (if allowed)​

• Organize a virtual book club​

• Record stories of loved ones​

• Send cards and letters​

• Share the chores​

• Take a live, online class​

• Take socially-distanced walks​

• Volunteer virtually​

• Worship

4. Learn to Show Up Differently

Activities can include:

• Ask a loved one to leave an encouraging voicemail

• Be fully present​

• Create a "no drama zone"​

• Identify stress triggers​

• Let go of "shoulds"​

• Let go of the small stuff​

• Limit negativity from outside sources​

• Make a box of things, people, places you love​

• Practice compassion, forgiveness, and patience​

• Practice Good, Better, Best​

• Presume good intentions​

• Send love using mind and hands​

• Share your feelings​

• Start a gratitude practice​

• Tell yourself what you long to hear from others​

• Turn off devices​

Self-Care is Our Specialty

FreeYourself offers pathways to peace that allow you to relax, renew, and reconnect.

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Learn more about FreeYourself services here.