Self-Care Ideas

February is here and it’s time to shower on the love!  I’d like to offer you all a challenge this month to take a little time each day to show yourself some love.  For the next 30 days {and hopefully beyond}, you need to carve out some intentional time to do something to feed your mind and body every day.  I’ve provided lots of self-care ideas to get you started, but find what soothes your soul and what brings you joy.

DOWNLOAD a 8×10 PRINTABLE HERE

Self-Care Plan

Make a commitment to self-care.

While you ideally want to try to plan at least a 30 minute block of “me time” per day, I know that this doesn’t always happen. Don’t let that be an excuse!  Even if you can only find 10 minutes to yourself, make the most of what you have and fill it with as many of your favorite things as you can.  No multi-tasking, no checking messages, no kids pounding on your door.  Just some time for you to rejuvenate and show yourself some kindness.

Plan out your self-care time.

If you’re not used to making time for yourself, you may need to do a little planning before you get started. Figure out what the best time of day would be for you and when the chances for distractions are at a minimum.  Find someone {spouse, older child, friend} to take care of any needs of your younger children and let your older children know not to disturb you unless there’s an emergency.  Worst case scenario, you may need to get up slightly earlier in the morning before everyone’s up, or take your time at the end of the day once the kids are in bed.  Just plan a time.

Fit self-care in where you can.

On extra busy days when time is at a premium, even taking a few minutes to add something special to your regular activities can make a difference.  Put on a candle and do a few minutes of deep breathing exercises when taking your regular bath or shower. Play your favorite music and put on a candle when you’re cooking dinner.  Or buy yourself a special coffee on your way home from errands.  Instead of drinking it in the car when you won’t even really notice it, wait until you get home and take 10 minutes to just sit and enjoy it.

Do what you love.

Whatever you do during your time, it should be something that you really love {not something that you think you should do}.  For example, going to the gym may be something that you really enjoy and rejuvenates you.  For others, however, this may feel more like just another task on the to do list and not a “treat”. Think of things that calm you and bring you to your happy place.

How to get started with your self-care plan.

I’ve put together some ideas to help get you started with ideas.  Many of them should be fairly easy to fit in to your regular day, while others will require a bit more planning or scheduling.  Whatever you choose, be intentional with your time and focus on the positive.  Start your time with a few deep breaths to signal your body and mind that it is break time.  End the activity with the same.

30 Ways to Show Yourself Some Love – Self Care Ideas

• Take a relaxing bath or shower.  Make it indulgent and use your favorite bath products.  Light a candle, close your eyes, and truly let go.
• Listen to your favorite music.  If you need an energy boost, pump out some dance tunes and get moving.  If it’s been a stressful day, curl up with a blanket, some calming music and just lay back and enjoy.  Take some time to make up a couple of different play lists to reflect your moods.
• Light some of your favorite candles.  I love candles, and for those of you that read my post on how I’m embracing hygge this year, you know that lighting candles are a big part of it.  Gather up all of those unused candles around your home and actually use them!  There is something about the flickering of candlelight that can just be so relaxing.
• Get outside.  Take some time to connect with nature.  Sit in the sunshine, watch a sunset or sunrise, splash in the rain puddles, or do a little gardening.  Breathe in the fresh air.
• Workout.  Exercise is a great way to help relieve stress so get moving!  Head to the gym, do a home workout, or go for a bike ride.  If you’re feeling adventuresome, try a new activity such as rock climbing or zumba.
• Have a Jammie Night. Throw your jammies in the dryer and have an early pajama night.  When I was little, it was such a treat when my Mom would put my pajamas in the dryer so they were all warm and cuddly when I got out of the bath.
• Cuddle up with a pet.  Our pets have a way of bringing a calmness to us and all they want is our love.
• Do something creative.  Draw, paint, or actually do one of those DIY projects that you have pinned on Pinterest.  Buy an adult coloring book and some nice pens or pencil crayons.  Get creative in the kitchen and develop a new recipe.
• Indulge in your favorite dessert.  Buy your favorite treat and save it for your special time when you can sit down and truly enjoy it.  No sharing needed!
• Call a friend.  Take some time to call {not text!} one of your friends that you have been wanting to connect with.  Sit and relax instead of doing random tasks around the house while you’re chatting.
• Practice gratitude.  Taking just a few minutes each day to think of what you have to be grateful for can really help to shape a more positive way of thinking.  Better yet, write it down and develop a list that you can refer back to. Practicing gratitude has also been shown to increase physical and psychological health as well as improve sleep.
• Buy yourself some flowers.  It’s okay to spoil yourself sometimes!  Put them in a nice vase and place them in a predominant spot in your home. Pause and take a few deep breaths every time you pass them.
• Take a technology break. As wonderful as technology is at times, it can be completely overwhelming and exhausting at others.  Leave your phone in the charger, turn off notifications, and unplug as often as you can.
• Write in a Journal.  Free your mind from the clutter and write it down!  Write lists, thoughts, favorite sayings from your kids – whatever is floating around in your head.
• Do a Netflix binge. No explanation needed. 🙂
• Go for a manicure or pedicure.  Treat yourself at a spa and go for a color that you wouldn’t normally pick.
• Create a cozy space just for you. Find a spot in your home to turn into a cozy little retreat – even a corner of your bedroom will do.  Fill it with some fluffy pillows and chunky throws to cuddle up with and keep a small basket or bin nearby to store some of your favorite items.
• Try something new.  Think of something that you’ve always wanted to do or try that you just haven’t made the time for.  It doesn’t have to big.  It could be a new beauty product, a new food, or a new hobby that you’ve always wanted to explore.
• Make your favorite meal. There’s nothing quite like our favorite comfort foods.  Go for high quality ingredients and really savor your meal.
• Meditate.
• Create a “No Complaining List”.  If you find yourself complaining often, create a list of things that you can’t complain about such as the weather, your weight, how tired you are, etc.  This can go a long way in helping your change your way of thinking and recognizing how often you’re focusing on the negative.
• Go on a self-date.  Head out the door and go somewhere that you love.  Check out a local market, go window shopping, find a new book in the library, or hang out in a little coffee shop.
• Listen to a podcast. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, find a comfy spot, and listen to a podcast about a topic that you enjoy or have wanted to learn more about.
• Have a “home spa” date. Take some time to paint your nails or use some of those beauty products that you never seem to have time for.  Try out a DIY facial or new hair style.
• Just be still and focus on your breathing.  The world is fast paced these days so take some time to just be.  Sit or lay down in a comfortable spot and just focus on your breathing.  Breathe in through your nose breathing deep down into your abdomen and then exhale through your mouth.
• Stretch or do yoga. Your body can get extremely tense as your stress increases.  Take some time to stretch out those tight, sore muscles.  Often you don’t even realize that your so tense until you start to relax.
• Take a nap.  Listen to your body.  If sleep is what you need the most, then take a rest.
• Go for a walk or hike. Head outdoors and explore a new route or hiking trail.
• Look at old photos or scrapbooks. Those old photos often get stuffed into drawers or boxes or placed in albums that never leave the shelf.  Look back at your favorite memories and remember those you love.
• Connect spiritually.  Whatever your faith or beliefs may be, spend some time focusing on your spiritual connections and where they are leading you in life.  Make sure your goals are in line with your values and beliefs and make them a priority in your life.

DOWNLOAD WAYS TO SHOW YOURSELF LOVE HERE

Remember that the best way to provide and care for your family is to take care of yourself first.  If you are going through difficult times, focus on healing and making it through rather than “keeping it together”.  Self care means giving your friends and family the best of you instead of what is left of you.  Please, please, please take the time to try out some of these self-care ideas.

xo

You may also enjoy these posts…

How to Create Hygge in Your Home

The Best Hot Chocolate Recipes

DIY Bath Salts