Self-Care List: 71 Ways To Care For Yourself

Self-care is essential to mental and emotional health and well-being.

To be your best self and to be able to give to others and to other areas of your life it is crucial to practice self-care. We all want to be our best selves and when we are feeling our best we are typically able to handle the challenges that life throws at us much better. We might respond to a bully at work with more dignity, class and assertiveness. Imagine coming out of a negative encounter feeling really proud of your response. If you hadn’t been practicing self-care you might just react to the situation from a weaker emotional state. Most likely that reaction might be one we might be a little ashamed of later on.

When a stressful situation hits us when we are at our best (practicing self-care) we look at it differently. We might see it as not so bad or not as big of a deal. Perhaps we remember that we can handle it because we are feeling strong and confident. We might realize we don’t really care that much about what a bully or toxic person thinks or does. But when we are not taking care of ourselves we feel weak and that same situation can feel like the end of the world. We might assume worst case scenarios and feel as though those scary situations have already come true. We might take that bully’s behaviour personally. You might feel less prone to common anxieties. Feel good about yourself, be at your best, and allow that to ripple out into the world around you!

Self-care is so very worth it. Why go through life not feeling and being at your best?

Here are 71 ways you can integrate self-care into your daily life:

1. Write a gratitude journal

2. Meditate

3. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people

4. Go to bed early

5. Netflix binge

6. Cook and drink wine with friends

7. Sit on a patio

8. Write positive affirmations

9. Take a nap

10. Cuddle an animal

11. Call a friend

12. Plan your daily self-care for the month

13. Eat a meal you really enjoy

14. Spend time in nature

15. Take a timeout

16. Check in with your emotions

17. Read a great book

18. Get dressed up and go out

19. Get outside

20. Create a comforting home environment

21. Make a vision board

22. Say no to things and people that do not make you happy

23. Practice mindfulness

24. Do not check your phone

25. Take a long bath

26. Watch something funny: stand-up comedy, movie, Youtube video

27. Stay away from triggers

28. Get a massage

29. Put on cozy pajamas and crawl into bed

30. Play with your pet

31. Plan a stay-cation

32. Do a DIY project

33. Read inspiring quotes

34. Listen to a happy song

35. Breath deeply

36. Play a game

37. Cuddle with your loved one

38. Let go of anything that does not serve you

39. Drink hot water and lemon

40. Stretch

41. Forgive yourself and others

42. Reorganize and declutter your home, office, car, purse, etc.

43. Weekend getaway

44. Face mask

45. Have a no electronics day

46. Yoga

47. Wear comfy clothes

48. Make a healthy meal

49. Sit in a sauna

50. Go for a swim

51. Laugh

52. Go to a great restaurant

53. Do not say negative things about yourself

54. Hair deep conditioning for 30 minutes

55. Go for a walk

56. Listen to your favourite music

57. Go for a facial

58. Spend time in the sun

59. Sleep in

60. Splurge

61. Read your favourite book

62. Plan a holiday

63. Stay away from triggers

64. Make a hot cup of tea

65. Burn a scented candle or aroma therapy

66. Workout

67. Try something creative: draw, colour, write, dance, sing, play an instrument

68. Do a deep conditioning hair treatment

69. Manicure and pedicure

70. Close your eyes and think of a moment that you are proud of where you were at your best

71. Remove toxic people from your life

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care? Let us know in the comments!