72 Self Care Ideas That Will Rejuvenate You

Self care ideas for when you need to reflect, when you need to be energetic, creative, challenged, or when you simply need to rest.

What self-care is

​At it’s most basic, self-care is caring for oneself.

It’s making sure that you’re caring for your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Which is actually quite hard to do.

Especially with increasing expectations (from others and ourselves) and demands on our time.

What self-care isn’t

Self-care is not a ‘set and forget’ type thing.

It also shouldn’t be a burden or something that you absolutely dread. Because that completely defeats the purpose of self-care and becomes yet another chore in an already busy life.

Self-care is also not selfish or egotistical. It’s nourishing and ensures that you can operate at your best – for yourself and for the important people in your life.

Why is self-care important?

The Oxford Dictionary defines self-care as:

 

“The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress”.

 

​Really getting to know what self-care activities work for you is essential to your happiness and general well-being.

In addition, effective self-care practices can also help to:

• Reduce stress,
• Get to know yourself better,
• Be a more calm and relaxed person,
• Be more productive,
• Build confidence and self-esteem,
• Reduce overwhelm and anxiety and
• Enjoy living in the moment.

The benefits are plentiful!

The catch is to find something that resonates with you personally.

Commonly held beliefs about self-care practices might not work for you – not everybody finds a bubble bath relaxing. Or has a problem with social media. Or needs to exercise more.

But what will recharge your batteries? What will meet your individual mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs?

Self-care ideas

Here are 72 self care ideas. They include a range of ideas for when you need to reflect, when you need to be energetic, creative, challenged, or when you just need to rest.

Hopefully you can find at least a few that will allow you to re-energize, increase your happiness and nourish your self-care needs:

1. Bake a yummy cake
2. Learn a new dance routine (Beyoncé anyone?)
3. Sit and watch the entire sunrise
4. Sit and watch the entire sunset
5. Write a list of all your accomplishments to date (a reverse bucket list!)
6. Write a bucket list of things you want to see and do, now and in the future
7. Find a simple stretching/yoga sequence that you can fit into your daily schedule
8. Download a great meditation app, and then actually do it! (I’m loving the free Insight Timer right now)
9. Drink more water
10. Make a simple green juice and infuse your body with goodness
11. Pick up the phone and call a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to for a while
12. Clear up an ‘incomplete’ on your to do list
13. Put on your favourite upbeat song
14. Read a beautiful poem
15. Question your beliefs about yourself
16. Download a joke or funny app (I’m loving What The Forecast?!! Weather app)
17. Try a new dinner recipe
18. Change your screensaver to a photo you love that makes you smile
19. Search out and read positive stories about others
20. Make meditation a daily practice (even for 10 minutes!)
21. Declutter an area of your home that’s really been irking you
22. Have a social media freeze (if only for one day)
23. Unfollow the ‘Debbie Downers’ in your social media feeds (if it gets you down)
24. Unfollow the ‘Pollyannas’ in your social media feeds (if they have a negative effect on you)
25. Write down 5 amazing things about you
26. Arrange to have the house to yourself for a few hours
27. Dry-brush your skin before your morning shower and then coat yourself in a delicious smelling moisturiser
28. Splurge on some pyjamas in your favourite fabric
29. Try a new exercise (Dance? Body Pump? HIIT? Build up to running 5km?)
30. Get some sunlight on you
31. Try a new hobby (rock-climbing, pole dancing, crocheting?)
32. Swim at the beach
33. Take a nap
34. Cuddle an animal
35. Get down on the floor and play undistracted with your children
36. Take the time to really chat with an elderly person who might want to tell tales about their past
37. Smile at a stranger
38. Watch a comedy
39. Watch some funny short videos (this one always works a treat: Human Hungry Hippos)
40. Think about something small you could do to really help someone (other than those inside your home!)
41. Take the time to really plan out your outfit and hairstyle for an upcoming event
42. Ask for help when needed
43. Paint your nails or if finances allow, get yourself a mani/pedi
44. Check out some hair and makeup tutorials online to get some new ideas
45. Think about what gifts you need to buy for upcoming events – take the time to really think about what the person would really appreciate. Then gift wrap it like a piece of art!
46. Get out some blank paper and doodle away!
47. Organize a pyjama movie party with your best girlfriends
48. Read a new book
49. Sit. Just sit
50. Soak in a beautifully smelling bubble bath, with candles and the works!
51. Go for a walk
52. Get creative! Is there something you want to try/make/write/draw/design/create?
53. Go to a coffee shop, alone
54. Create a vision board
55. Go on a picnic
56. Sleep in
57. Go to bed the same time as the kids!
58. Plan something exciting. An upcoming party/trip etc
59. Have a digital detox
60. Watch a new tv series you’ve been meaning to check out
61. Write a thank you note (and send it) – even if it’s for something from a long time ago
62. Sit and do a craft activity with your kids or an elderly relative (it’s amazing the lovely conversations that get struck up!)
63. Write 10 things that you’re grateful for right now
64. Organize a date night
65. Organize a date day with your partner – include a new fun activity to try together
66. Get aware of your financial situation to avoid any underlying financial stress – work out your financial net worth and consider ways to improve
67. Create some big stretch goals
68. Consider some new habits or routines that will simplify your life
69. Start saying no to things you really don’t want to do
70. If you’re time poor, carve out time and make use of the fringe hours to work on your passions
71. Create new family traditions that make your heart sing – special handshakes, codewords, funny songs, quirky family birthday traditions.
72. Express your gratitude to others, it will make their day as well as yours!

What’s important is that your self-care activities work for you.

Are you in tune with what self-care ideas work for you? If so, let us know in the comments below!

Check out the following posts for more tips on simplifying, creating balance and chasing big goals:

• ​Make Happiness for Yourself: 20 Simple Tips​​​
• The Balanced Life Check-Up
• 40 Quotes About The Importance of Goal Setting
• 80+ Gratitude Journal Prompts (+ Free Printable)
• 30 Self-Acceptance Quotes That Will Have You Thinking