100 Self-Care Ideas

Can you believe it’s July already? I sure can’t. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was reflecting on 2023 and setting my intentions for 2024.

Overall, 2024 is going well. My anxiety levels have been manageable, and my overall mental health has been very good. One thing I can attribute that to is having clear work/life boundaries and making time for self-care every day. That’s not to say I never work during my “off” time – sometimes I do – but for the most part, my off time is for resting and recharging.

That brings me to today’s post. I’ve been trying a lot of different self-care activities and I wanted to share that with you. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 100 self-care ideas that you can do right now.

100 Self-Care Ideas

I felt like 100 self-care ideas was a lot to navigate, so I’ve split the list up into 10 types of self-care:

·      Physical self-care.

·      Emotional self-care.

·      Mental self-care.

·      Social self-care.

·      Sensory self-care.

·      Spiritual self-care.

·      Practical self-care.

·      Financial self-care.

·      Intellectual self-care.

·      Recreational self-care.

This list is supposed to act as a “take what you need” resource for self-care. I find it most useful to choose which type of self-care I need (e.g., sensory self-care), and then choose an activity from that list.

Physical Self-Care

1.     Take a long, relaxing bath.

2.     Go for a walk or jog.

3.     Practice yoga.

4.     Get a massage.

5.     Take a nap.

6.     Try a new workout routine.

7.     Get enough sleep.

8.     Cook a nutritious meal for yourself.

9.     Practice deep breathing exercises.

10.  Spend time in nature.

Emotional Self-Care

11.  Journal your thoughts and feelings.

12.  Meditate.

13.  Practice mindfulness.

14.  Watch a favourite movie or TV show.

15.  Spend time with loved ones.

16.  Set boundaries with others.

17.  Express your emotions through art.

18.  Practice positive affirmations (LINK HERE).

19.  Reflect on your accomplishments.

20.  Allow yourself to cry if needed.

Mental Self-Care

21.  Read a book.

22.  Solve puzzles or play games.

23.  Learn something new.

24.  Do a social media detox and unfollow accounts that don’t inspire you.

25.  Disconnect from technology for a day.

26.  Plan a day off for relaxation.

27.  Organize and declutter your space.

28.  Set realistic goals for yourself LINK

29.  Write down your fears and then challenge them.

30.  Engage in a hobby or creative activity.

Social Self-Care

31.  Call or video chat with a friend.

32.  Attend a social event.

33.  Plan a get-together with friends.

34.  Join a club or group with shared interests.

35.  Volunteer for a cause you care about.

36.  Surround yourself with positive people.

37.  Say no to social obligations when needed.

38.  Practice active listening in conversations.

39.  Attend a support group.

40.  Reconnect with old friends.

Spiritual Self-Care

41.  Practice loving-kindness meditation.

42.  Attend a religious service.

43.  Spend time in nature and pay attention to how you connect with it.

44.  Read spiritual literature.

45.  Reflect on your values and beliefs.

46.  Practice gratitude.

47.  Engage in acts of kindness.

48.  Create a sacred space in your home.

49.  Connect with a higher power.

50.  Practice forgiveness.

Sensory Self-Care

51.  Listen to your favourite music.

52.  Burn scented candles or use essential oils.

53.  Take a sensory-focused walks (notice smells, sounds, etc.).

54.  Enjoy a cup of hot tea or coffee.

55.  Take a break from screens and rest your eyes.

56.  Use a weighted blanket for comfort.

57.  Take a mindful eating approach to savour your food.

58.  Surround yourself with comforting textures.

59.  Enjoy a warm, comforting bubble bath.

60.  Practice grounding exercises.

Practical Self-Care

61.  Set realistic goals.

62.  Prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first.

63.  Delegate tasks when possible.

64.  Learn to say no when needed.

65.  Create a daily routine.

66.  Plan and prepare for the week ahead.

67.  Take breaks at work.

68.  Automate repetitive tasks.

69.  Practice time management.

70.  Ask for help when needed.

Financial Self-Care

71.  Create a budget.

72.  Review your financial goals.

73.  Save money for a future goal.

74.  Treat yourself to a small indulgence.

75.  Check your credit score.

76.  Organize your financial documents.

77.  Set up automatic savings transfers.

78.  Identify and cut out unnecessary expenses.

79.  Plan for retirement.

80.  Educate yourself on financial literacy.

Intellectual Self-Care

81.  Attend a workshop or seminar.

82.  Engage in stimulating conversations.

83.  Listen to educational podcasts.

84.  Take a course or online class.

85.  Read articles on topics of interest.

86.  Attend a lecture or TED talk.

87.  Join a book club.

88.  Stimulate your brain with puzzles or games.

89.  Engage in critical thinking exercises.

90.  Explore a new area of interest.

Recreational Self-Care

91.  Explore a new hobby.

92.  Plan a weekend getaway.

93.  Take a day trip to a nearby attraction.

94.  Attend a cultural event or performance.

95.  Go to a museum or art gallery.

96.  Explore your city or town as a tourist.

97.  Visit a botanical garden or nature reserve.

98.  Take a photography walk.

99.  Have a picnic in the park.

100.                 Attend a fitness or dance class.

Remember, self-care is highly individual, so feel free to mix and match activities from different categories based on your needs and preferences!

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – 100 self-care ideas that you can try right now. Want more? Check out my self-care workbook. It’s filled with self-care ideas and activities to implement in your life. Or, check out some of my past blog posts about self-care.

What’s your favorite self-care activity? Let me know in the comments!