Life can be tough sometimes so we all need days where we can just be by ourselves and relax but it can be overwhelming to think of ideas of what to do. Lucky for you, we’ve got loads of ideas on how you can give yourself a break from the stress of life without having to spend a small fortune.
Everyone deals with stress in different ways but there’s something out there for everyone. Whether your self care is going for a walk or taking yourself on a shopping spree, it’s important to give yourself that freedom to do something for yourself. So let’s jump straight into it.
Creative Self-Care Suggestions
Journal
The first thing on our self care list is journaling. Now you’ve probably heard this a million times before but stick with us. Life can be really stressful and overwhelming sometimes so you lose track of how good it can really be.
Journaling helps you slow down and really see how far you’ve come and you can completely customize this to yourself. If you’re someone more creative then you could do scrapbooking rather than journaling. Make a page for every big thing you’ve done recently or even the smaller things that you’ve enjoyed or that you’re proud of yourself for.
If creativity is not your forte then you could write instead. All you need is a little snippet of some of your favorite things you’ve done recently, print out some pictures and stick them in or connect with your inner child, grab some pencils or felt tips, and go to town on drawing some fabulous little drawings all around the page. You’d be surprised at how easily this can reduce stress.
Call a loved one
Another thing you can add to your self care routine is getting in touch with a loved one. This one is going to be really important with kids going off to university and college in the next few weeks because everything is going to be new and routines will change.
If you’re feeling down then pick up the phone to someone because they probably appreciate talking to someone as well. Try not to suffer on your own because you don’t realize how many other people are going through the same things as you and need company as well. If your kid is moving away soon then try and set up specific days when you call and talk about your days or what you’re looking forward to in the next couple of weeks.
De clutter
This is a great way to do self care at home and get some cleaning done at the same time. If you’re anything like me and feel so much better without clutter then this is the perfect self care for you.
Pick one room, draw or cupboard and spend the day decluttering it. You’ll be surprised how much stuff you can get rid of but you’ll also find things you’ve probably been looking for for months. You could even dedicate a day of the week or month to be your decluttering day and you’ll quickly see how much clearer your mind is when you have a clean slate to work with.
Take a walk Outside
Going outside and going for a walk can be one of the best forms of self care. Not only does it get you out of the house and into a different environment. But it also helps you to clear your head and get some perspective on everything. If you work indoors then you’re probably used to spending long hours behind a desk or cooped up inside. So this could be a great option when you have a break.
Your walk doesn’t have to be a 15 mile hike through the wilderness although they are great too. Even if this is just a 10 minute stroll on your lunch break, you will feel better I promise. You could take this up a notch and have a picnic or read a book outside. Just being out in the fresh air will make you feel ten times better and will help break up your day.
Make a vision board
If you’re a fan of creative self care activities then this could be the one for you. This is very similar to journaling with a bit more of a creative flare. But rather than looking at what you’ve already done, this is about looking forward to the future.
Think about what you want to do with your life, what job you want, do you want kids or pets? Do you want to be in a relationship? Do you want to travel? What job do you want? Try and answer all these questions in one place and it’ll give you some motivation to keep going through the hard parts of life so you can get where you want to be. Include pictures and things that are specific to you and to give yourself even more motivation then you can hang your vision board up somewhere you’ll see it every day.
Yoga or meditation
Now this is one thing you’ll always see included in self care tips – the reason is because it works so well. Meditation and yoga are made to help you destress and reconnect with yourself but they can also help you connect with other people.
If you’re feeling particularly stressed then give yourself twenty minutes to sit in a quiet room with yourself and just breath. If you have a little more time then you could even join a yoga class which will not only help you destress but you can also make some new friends.
Gardening
You might think this one is weather dependent and can only really be helpful if you have a big enough garden but that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you have a big enough garden to make yourself a fabulous veggie patch then by all means go for it but there’s so much gardening you can do inside your home as well.
There are so many fruit and veg plants that are small enough to fit by your window or if you have a little more room then you can grow things like potatoes in grow bags. Gardening can be a great reminder to look after yourself because you see how much your plants thrive when they’re well looked after and you also have something to be proud of at the end.
Reading
So many people use reading as a form of self care because it lets you escape from your problems and stresses even if it’s just for a little bit. So grab your favorite book, a blanket, and the best snacks – because the snacks are key here, right? And just give yourself some time to snuggle up on the sofa and escape.
This can really help slow down your mind a little and help you unwind after a long and stressful day. This also means that you can treat yourself to some more self care and go on a book buying spree or if you just want to get out of the house then you can go to your local coffee shop and read for a little while there.
Pamper yourself
Maybe a pamper night is closer to your idea of self care? There are so many ways you can make a pamper perfect for you and really help yourself unwind.
You can start with a lovely candle lit bath and read a book or watch your latest netflix show at the same time. Then you might want to cook your favorite meal or get a take out whilst doing a refreshing face mask. Maybe you want to give yourself a manicure or spend some time scrolling through your phone? Or maybe you want to carry on with the book or show you started in the bath? It’s completely up to you but it’s sure to make you feel just a little bit better.
Start a new hobby and try and make something
Are you in the mood to start a new hobby? Starting a new hobby can be great for de-stressing and self care, especially if it’s a hobby where you’re making something.
Maybe you want to make that recipe you’ve been eyeing for a while or maybe you can look at classes near you. You’ll find classes for things like pottery or painting just about anywhere which can be so much fun, help you calm down after a long day and help you make some new friends. This is another great thing you can try where you’ll have something to be proud of and look back at after you’re done.
Have a social media clear out
People rarely have time to clear out their social media because it’s not a priority but this is a great way to help with stress. Whether it’s people you follow or random pictures you posted three years ago, everyone has clutter on their social media so why not take some time to get rid of it?
Go through your different platforms and unfollow or remove the people whose content you aren’t really interested in any more and delete the photos that don’t need to be up any more. You can also try and find some accounts or creators that you’re more interested in now.
We all get caught up in life sometimes and forget to take time for ourselves and look out for what we need instead of what everyone else needs. That’s why regular selfcare time is such a good idea. This can really help you feel like you’re not constantly working or like a hamster on a wheel. And whether it is a 30 minute soak in the tub or a weekly yoga class – it will be different for everyone. But whats important is that it gives your mind a chance to breath.
Even if you just set aside one day a month for you to do something for yourself, that gives you something to look forward to after a stressful month.