Take Care of You Too
- Miranda Cook
- Jul 27, 2017
- 6 min read
I never knew the importance of self-care until I didn't do self-care. This world is busy and distracting that we forget to take care of ourselves too. There are things that we say pass for self-care like working out or reading a bit. If you do it everyday it ends up not being self-care. So, lets change things and do something for yourself every now and again.
For 2017, I decided that I would implement more time with me and my time with God. Need ideas to build your self-care routine? See below.
Start a compliments file. Document the great things people say about you to read later.
Go cloud-watching. Lie on your back, relax, and watch the sky. Lie in the grass on the hill and staring up at the sky.
Fix a small annoyance at home that’s been nagging you—a button lost, a drawer that’s stuck, a light bulb that’s gone.
Be selfish. Do one thing today just because it makes you happy.
Unplug for an hour. Switch everything to airplane mode and free yourself from the constant bings of social media and email.
Oxygenate by taking three deep breaths. Breathe into your abdomen, and let the air puff out your stomach and chest.
Get down and boogie. Put on your favorite upbeat record and shake your booty.
Get fifteen minutes of sun, especially if you’re in a cold climate.
Write out your thoughts. Go for fifteen minutes on anything bothering you. Then let it go as you burn or bin the paper. Start a gratitude journal and think of what you are thankful for. Write a list of things you’re grateful to have in your life and post it somewhere you can see it often. We have a tendency to focus on the negative, so remind yourself of the good stuff.
Choose who you spend your time with today. Hang out with “Radiators” who emit enthusiasm and positivity, and not “Drains” whose pessimism and negativity robs energy.
Stroke a pet. If you don’t have one, go to the park and find one. (Ask first!)
Get positive feedback. Ask three good friends to tell you what they love about you.
Have a self-date. Spend an hour alone doing something that nourishes you (reading, your hobby, visiting a museum or gallery, etc.) Go out to see a movie at your favorite theater all by yourself.
Take a home spa. Have a long bath or shower, sit around in your bathrobe, and read magazines.
Plan a two-day holiday for next weekend. Turn off your phone, tell people you’ll be away, and then do something new in your own town.
Go for a photo walk. Take pictures of the beautiful outdoors.
Treat yourself with a bath at the end of the day.
Get some exercise. Bike rides, walk, yoga, run, spin class, stretch, martial arts, hike, kayak, canoe, play basketball, do pilates, bike,
Cook a meal for yourself. And enjoy it.
Wake up early and read an inspirational book to start your day.
Go out and get a change in scenery.
Listen to your favorite music or a good book.
Pamper yourself. Get your hair done. Get a manicure. Get a massage. Get a pedicure.
Learn. Go and find a free online class for you to gain more knowledge.
Get it done. Pick one thing that you need to do and get it done so it’s off your mental “to do” list.
Get a book from the library (free) or bookstore about some topic you’ve been interested in, but have never taken the time to learn.
While you are getting ready, listen to music that inspires and motivates you. Listen to a chapter or two from an audiobook.
Go through your closet and purge the clothes you haven’t worn in years. Donate them to a charitable organization.
Share a kind smile with strangers on your way to and from work. Some people may go all day without anyone acknowledging their existence.
Start a cycle of encouragement. Tell someone near you what you appreciate about them. They may return the favor when you need it most.
Call your mom, dad, or any other family member you care about just to say hi.
Unplug. Turn off your phone and step away from the computer for a whole day.
Carry some extra change and feed someone’s meter if you see it running low. Random acts of kindness come back around! Do something nice for someone and make sure no one can trace it back to you—an incognito act of kindness.
Shower with all the lights off. It forces you to move incredibly slow and it’s so relaxing. Make sure to have safety mats in place so you don’t slip on your way out.
Call your friend or sibling when you know they can’t answer and leave a ridiculously funny made up song as your voicemail. You’ll spread a little laughter while also laughing in the process.
Make brownies and give them away to a neighbor, family member, friend, or someone you know that could use a pick-me-up. Enjoy any leftover batter.
Listen to a podcast about something that interests you that you haven’t yet explored.
Roll out a blanket and eat your dinner on the grass at home or in the park. Invite someone else if you’d like company.
Do something you used to like to do, whether or not you were or are “good at it.” Remind yourself that you can do something just because you enjoy it, and the only way most people get better at something is practice.
Send a postcard to someone far away. Decorate it before sending it. Hand write a letter to a friend or relative and start a conversation the old-fashioned way.
Paint your nails a fun color. Use jewels, glitter, nail stickers, or false nails. If you don’t want to spend money, try to use something you have around the house and see where your creativity leads.
Cut some fresh flowers and display them prominently to lift your spirit.
On a clear night, find a safe and secluded spot away from the lights of the city, grab a blanket, stare up at the stars, and let your mind wander from big to small thoughts.
Attend a local music performance. Many small clubs, restaurants, and coffee shops have free admission for some shows.
Go wine tasting. It’s an inexpensive way to sample a variety of local wines you might not be able to find in stores.
Take your mom, dad, or another family member to lunch. You’ll be glad you did.
Find a shop with tea, chocolate, or spices and enjoy the free smells for a while.
Go camping or backpacking and spend some time truly immersed in nature.
Tuck yourself into bed early with a good book and clean sheets.
Watch a comforting/silly/funny/lighthearted TV show or movie. (“Parks and Recreation,” anyone?)
Watch Youtube videos of Ellen DeGeneres and the adorable kids she has on her show.
Look at faith-in-humanity-restoring lists from Buzzfeed.
Wrap yourself up in a cozy fleece blanket and sip a cup of hot tea.
Write out a list of... 25 Reasons Why You’ll Be OK., 25 Examples of Things You’ve Overcome or Accomplished, 25 Reasons Why You’re a Good, Lovable Person, or 25 Things That Make Your Life Beautiful.
Put up some Christmas lights in your bedroom. They often make things more magical.
Make art. Scribble with crayons. Splash some watercolors. Paint a rock. Whatever. Just create something. Color in some adult coloring books.
Revisit an old hobby. Even if it feels a little forced, try your hand at things you used to enjoy and see what comes up for you.
Go. Go to the ocean. Soak up the negative ions. Go to the mountains. Absorb the strength and security of them. Go to the forest. Drink in the shelter, life and sacredness of the trees.
Dance around wildly to your favorite, most cheesy songs from your high school years.
If you want to stay in bed all day watching Netflix, do it. Indulge.
Get up early and watch a sunrise. OR Go outside and set up a chair and watch the sunset.
Pray. Meditate. Write a letter to God and trust the process.
Take a warm bath with the works - bath bomb, lots of bubbles, lit candles, and some relaxing music or a good read.
Spend the evening watching your favorite shows with a big bowl of popcorn.
Plan pamper evenings with luxurious face masks, a fresh coat of nail polish, and a nice glass of wine.
Spend a couple hours in a cute coffee shop with a good book or magazine.
Brew a pot of delicious herbal tea and sweeten it with natural honey.
Spend time with a parent or mentor—someone who makes you feel protected and inspired.
Light some candles and enjoy a nice glass of your favorite wine.
Take a hot shower for at least 10 minutes, then change into some soft, clean clothes.
Plan a day trip and take photographs of 10 things you see that inspire you.
Look into local retreats where you can meet like minded people and escape from society.
Watch YouTube videos of cute animals.
Hug someone you love (friend, family member or partner) for 12-15 seconds—studies show this boosts immune system function and prompts the release of calming hormones.
Eat a square of dark chocolate, which is proven to lower the levels of certain stress hormones.
Skip your household chores for a full day.
Watch several episodes of your favorite TV show, back to back.
Make a cup of tea and just sip it in quiet stillness.