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:
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Write a gratitude journal
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Meditate
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Surround yourself with positive and supportive people
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Go to bed early
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Netflix binge
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Cook and drink wine with friends
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Sit on a patio
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Write positive affirmations
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Take a nap
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Cuddle an animal
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Call a friend
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Plan your daily self-care for the month
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Eat a meal you really enjoy
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Spend time in nature
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Take a timeout
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Check in with your emotions
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Read a great book
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Get dressed up and go out
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Get outside
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Create a comforting home environment
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Make a vision board
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Say no to things and people that do not make you happy
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Practice mindfulness
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Do not check your phone
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Take a long bath
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Watch something funny: stand-up comedy, movie, Youtube video
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Stay away from triggers
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Get a massage
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Put on cozy pajamas and crawl into bed
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Play with your pet
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Plan a stay-cation
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Do a DIY project
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Read inspiring quotes
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Listen to a happy song
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Breath deeply
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Play a game
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Cuddle with your loved one
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Let go of anything that does not serve you
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Drink hot water and lemon
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Stretch
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Forgive yourself and others
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Reorganize and declutter your home, office, car, purse, etc.
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Weekend getaway
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Face mask
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Have a no electronics day
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Yoga
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Wear comfy clothes
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Make a healthy meal
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Sit in a sauna
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Go for a swim
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Laugh
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Go to a great restaurant
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Do not say negative things about yourself
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Hair deep conditioning for 30 minutes
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Go for a walk
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Listen to your favourite music
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Go for a facial
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Spend time in the sun
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Sleep in
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Splurge
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Read your favourite book
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Plan a holiday
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Stay away from triggers
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Make a hot cup of tea
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Burn a scented candle or aroma therapy
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Workout
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Try something creative: draw, colour, write, dance, sing, play an instrument
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Do a deep conditioning hair treatment
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Manicure and pedicure
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Close your eyes and think of a moment that you are proud of where you were at your best
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Remove toxic people from your life
What are your favorite ways to practice self-care? Let us know in the comments!