18 Self Care Ideas for Any Day of the Week

If you agree that self care shouldn’t be restricted to one day of the week, this is for you: the ultimate list of self care ideas to take care of yourself inside and out, and feel like your best self.

1. Get enough rest.

Rest is not a reward for getting everything done - it’s a necessity that impacts your focus, creativity and wellbeing.

2. Go for a walk.

Being outside in nature has many mood boosting effects, and that’s not to mention the loads of benefits we get from letting the sun’s rays hit our skin. Hello, vitamin D.

3. Take your time getting ready for the day.

How often do you rush through your morning routine just to get to your to-do list or take care of your family? Don’t answer that. Instead, just commit to taking it slow when doing your skincare routine, add in some affirmation, read, pray, do what you need to do to get your mind and spirit right before starting the day.

4. Create a wind down routine for the evening.

Take the time to ease into the evening and create a routine that signals to your body that it’s time to prepare for bed. Take some deep breaths, and be sure to put your phone on do not disturb.

5. Incorporate movement into your day.

Whether that’s taking stretch breaks or going for a full out run, your body thrives when you get up and get moving. Personally, I like to incorporate different activities based on what I feel, so sometimes it’s stretching, other times it’s following along with a quick 10 minute ab video online, and other times, it’s just standing up from my desk and marching in place.

6. Drink more water.

Okay, this one sounds small, but as a recovering coffee addict, let me be the first to tell you that drinking water is a small habit that leads to big results: in mood, creativity and overall body function. One thing that has helped me drink more water is starting the day with a bottle of water before drinking anything else. It also helps jumpstart my body and always makes me more mindful of water intake.

7. Wear what makes you feel confident.

As someone who works mostly from home, I fell into a rut with not getting dressed for the day, and it impacted my productivity at work. I have found that getting dressed for the day makes a huge difference (even if it is just wearing more stylish yoga pants vs. sweats, and doing a quick Liplove look before checking my emails in the morning).

8. Spend time with loved ones.

Yes, this is a self care list, but being loved on by the people you love is self care too. So often, we focus on self care as an act of only worrying about our own needs, when the reality is that we were made for community and companionship. So go love on your loved ones, and give them big hugs, and see how much it brings a smile to your soul.

9. Go play.

Whether that’s painting and art, jumping on the trampoline, gardening, going for a swim, or any activity that feels stress-free, go do it! You will feel so much better, and remember, it can be spontaneous and tailored to whatever your soul needs that day.

10. Take deep breaths.

I once saw a quote that said ‘deep breaths are like little love notes to your body’ and I felt that. Not only does breathing help with your overall wellness (look it up!), it’s also a way to ground yourself in the moment.

11. Pray for what you need, then let it go.

There is something so therapeutic about praying, then releasing. As someone who used to often worry more than pray, I lived for many years in a deep state of anxiety and stress, as I worried about everything. Then I realized that not only was I worrying about things that probably wouldn’t matter in a few years, I also had a limitation when it came to practicing my faith. So instead of staying stuck in that pattern, I decided to pray every time I felt worry or anxiety trying to creep in, and it literally saved my life.

12. Keep a journal.

Journaling is another powerful way to release stress from the day, and it can also be helpful to keep track of your goals, wins from the day, lessons learned, and prayers answered. I’m always amazed when I look back at journal entries from a few months or even a year ago, and it always strengthens and encourages me to keep going, and reminds me of how far I’ve come.

13. Smile more.

This is something so simple you can try it right now. Go ahead, smile! This is a mood booster of course, and for me personally, it helps me to maintain the right perspective. There’s always something to smile about and we mustn’t let life take away our joy.

14. Stop scrolling.

We’ve all done it. The endless scrolling on social media that takes away our time and energy. When I became more intentional about the apps I allow on my phone and into my day, it changed everything. I found myself more grateful for what I have instead of always looking at others, plus more time to work toward the goals and dreams that have been hidden in my heart for far too long.

15. Eat some fresh fruit.

Okay, I don’t know how scientific this is, so do your own research, but eating fresh fruit always makes me feel better. I’m sure it’s because of the nutrients, and of course there are the inner body benefits of fruit, but it always makes me feel more joyful too. Have you ever tried being sad eating some fresh mango, or taking a big bite of watermelon? I don’t think so.

16. Find fun ways to eat more veggies.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not always thrilled to eat a salad. But I have found ways to eat more veggies by trying new recipes, which has opened up this creative side and made cooking more enjoyable. It’s a win win. Plus, Pinterest makes finding recipes a breeze.

17. Take a mental health day.

If you’re like me and you are constantly working, it can be hard to take a day off without feeling guilty. But if you find yourself working so hard that you feel uninspired and complacent, or you can’t remember the last time you had a day to yourself, it might be time to call in. And please, whatever you do, don’t spend the day feeling bad about it. Mental rest matters too.

18. Treat yourself to something new.

If you’re like me, you might associate treating yourself with going on an all out shopping spree, so I want to share with you that the little things matter too. Sometimes, just getting something small, like a new lip color, can make a big difference.

No matter what self care looks like for you in this season, make sure it uplifts your soul, refreshes your spirit, and treats your body with the care and compassion it deserves.