Self-Care Activities

Life is not always easy. Every day, people struggle to find a balance between work, 
family obligations, hobbies and more. It is not uncommon to be wrapped up in trying 
to get everything done that we forget to take care of the most important thing of all: 
ourselves. Self-care is not a new concept, in fact, people have been practicing self-
care for centuries. Recently self-care has found its way into the news as more people 
realize how important it is to take some time to make sure your needs are being met. 

When you practice self-care, you do things that take care of our physical, mental and 
emotional needs. The ways in which you do self-care vary from person to person. 
What works best for someone else may not work best for you, so it is important to 
keep an open mind and an ongoing commitment to self-care. 

Practicing self-care helps you to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly 
be. Taking time to do the things that make you, you is important to living a healthy 
and balanced life as we often give so much of ourselves to others. As a worker, 
friend or parent it can be hard to find that balance between living up to our 
expectations and obligations and doing things for ourselves. You will find that if you 
make time to practice self-care, your happiness and health will be dramatically 
improved.

The following information is going to give you a good idea about the many different 
activities available to help with your self-care needs. Keep reading to learn about 
practicing self-care through relaxation, productivity, physical, and other important 
types of activities.


1. Relaxation Activities

The first category of activities that can help you with your self-care needs are the 
relaxation activities. These are ones that many people think about when they think of 
taking better care of themselves. It also happens to include a selection of activities 
you probably don’t allow yourself to enjoy regularly.

Here are some of the top relaxation activities to help you with self-care.

Meditation and Mindfulness

After a long hard day at work or with the family, you probably just want to shut down 
and relax. There are tons of relaxation activities that can help you recharge. Even if 
you only have a few minutes to spare, you can find an activity that will help you relax. 

Meditation is a great relaxation tool and can be done in as little as five minutes or can 
last as long as you want. If you have access to a quiet space, you can practice 
meditation. If you are able to, try to sit on a chair in a quiet room. Laying down is not 
the best way to meditate as you may end up falling asleep! You can close your eyes 
if you wish, or just softly look down. 

Practice taking in deep breaths and slowly letting them out. You can put on some 
calming music if you like. There are loads of free apps and websites devoted to 
meditation coaching, so if you have never tried meditation before you do not need to 
be intimidated. There are also several health benefits to meditation, including 
reduced blood pressure and stress relief. Meditation is great for mental health and a 
perfect place to start for a night of self-care. 

Practicing mindfulness simply means that you are aware of what is going on around 
you, and you are fully present in the moment. You aren't being distracted by your 
phone, the tv, the computer or lost in thought. Being mindful means that you are 
giving yourself to the present moment. You can practice mindfulness anywhere! You 
can practice while washing the dishes, taking a walk or just sitting quietly in your 
room. 

Being mindful has so many mental health benefits such as relieving stress, 
increasing memory and focus and overall improved cognitive function. Being mindful 
allows you take a few minutes just to yourself, to just be. Practicing mindfulness 
regularly can lead to improved mental health and can be a very impactful self-care 
tool.

 

Soak in the Tub

After you've meditated, it is often relaxing to take a warm bath. You can even 
meditate in the bath if you want to be that efficient! Taking a bath allows you to have 
a few minutes of time alone to unwind. A hot shower right before bed can also be a 
great alternative if you are pressed for time but still want the same benefits. 

Diffusing some essential oils or even adding a few drops of lavender oil directly to 
your bath water can help ease your nerves and create a very soothing bath. There 
are several essential oils you can use to help create a very calming environment 
such as, lemon, orange, bergamot, or peppermint. 

Many companies create special blends of essential oils used to help promote better 
sleep, relaxation or happiness. Create a playlist of songs that make you feel happy 
and play that while you are soaking, or play some soft piano music. Do what feels 
best for you so that you can achieve maximum relaxation while taking your shower or 
bath.

Pick up a Book

Self-care is really all about taking some time for yourself, and reading is an excellent 
way to relax and spend the time alone that you have at the end of the day. After you 
put the kids to bed or finish dinner, break out that book on your shelf that you've been 
meaning to read. Reading a book before bed is much easier on your eyes than 
staring at the screen of your phone or tablet and you may find it helps you get to 
sleep faster! Alternatively, waking up early to read can also be a way to get some 
self-care in before your day even starts. 

When the house is quiet and the sun hasn't come up yet, get your coffee going and 
immerse yourself in the book of your choosing. Reading doesn't have to be enjoyed 
alone though, you can join a book club or read a book to your little one at the end of 
the day. It is easy to find company through books.

The great thing about reading is that you can do at any time during the day, whether 
you read early in the morning, late in the evening, or during the day when taking a 
break. Bring a book with you wherever you go, and it will be available when you need 
it.


2. Physical Activities

The next category of self-activities are physical activities. This is where you look at 
ways not only to improve your physical health, but activities that are more physical 
and active for self-care. This doesn’t mean you need to be excessive with fitness for 
several hours a day, but just moving your body so that you can truly benefit from the 
exercise.

Don’t forget that exercise has a host of health benefits, including:

Releasing endorphins to make you happy 
Providing you with more energy throughout the day
Giving you an activity to do outdoors, where you get vitamin D

Here are some physical activities that can be great for self-care.

Yoga

Relaxing is key to keeping a healthy mind, but another component to self-care is 
taking care of your body. You've probably been told that yoga is good for you ad 
nauseam. Yoga really does have amazing health benefits that you can achieve by 
practicing a few times a week. Increased flexibility and strength are two things that 
you can achieve with yoga. Not only is yoga good for your body, but its practice helps 
you relax and can help alleviate stress. 

If you have never done yoga before you can find guidance online at a number of 
different blogs and websites. Yoga is a practice that is for everyone, regardless of 
skill level or ability so there's no need to be intimidated. You can practice at home or 
at a yoga studio near you.

You can also try heading to a local studio, where you benefit from the social 
interaction, and by getting professional instruction. 

Walking, Hiking, Biking

Taking a walk can actually be quite a peaceful exercise that has numerous benefits 
for your body. If you've had a stressful day at work and need to clear your head, 
throw on your running shoes and headphones and head outside for a walk. Walking 
for even thirty minutes gives you time to decompress while getting some decent 
exercise along the way. Doing some light cardio is really great for your overall health 
as well. If you are more physically active, running is also an amazing exercise that 
offers the same benefits. 

Exercising regularly is an important part of self-care. If you have a bike, going for a 
leisurely bike ride is a wonderful way to exercise. Biking nature trails near your home 
or through the streets of your city gives you an opportunity to explore places you've 
never been before. Biking is another activity that can easily be done solo or with a 
group.

Hiking is a physical activity that can help you foster more self-care in your life. Hikes 
can be enjoyed solo or with a friend. You'll get exercise while enjoying some of the 
best parts of nature. You can hike literally anywhere, it does not matter where you 
live. Rural areas tend to have some very picturesque hiking spots, but cities also can 
have great trails for you to explore. Everyone can benefit from taking time out of their 
day to enjoy nature's treasures and burning some calories at the same time. 


3. Creative Activities

One thing many people forget when it comes to self-care is that it isn’t always about 
relaxing activities like taking a bath or trying to get better sleep. There are also a lot 
of creative activities that can benefit you greatly.

With more creative activities, you are reaching deep into your artistic nature and 
allowing it to shine. From coloring in adult coloring books to learning a new hobby, 
creative activities might surprise you with how therapeutic they become. 

Here is a list of some creative activities to start with for your self-care.

Coloring

Sometimes it won't be possible to leave the house, but that is no excuse for not 
practicing self-care. There are an unlimited number of activities that you can do at 
home when you need some "me time." Coloring is one such activity. Coloring has 
exploded in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. Adult coloring books 
decorate bookshelves in stores across the country. 

These books contain images that are more suited to adults who don’t want to be 
coloring cartoons that children enjoy. There are many styles of adult coloring books 
you can get, such as:

Swear words you fill in
Flowers and gardens
Animals and pets
Interesting designs

Some coloring books actually were created to help aid in meditation and mindfulness. 
Many books have intricate and complex patterns or designs that take a good while to 
finish, making this an activity you can do in your down time to get your creative juices 
flowing. Craft stores have hundreds of options for coloring books, pencils, crayons 
and markers. This activity can be done by yourself or with kids, making it a great 
family activity. 

Not only can coloring help you with self-care and to have a quiet activity that you can 
do anywhere, but it can also be wonderful for relieving stress and anxiety.

Painting

Painting is a similar activity but offers more creative freedom than coloring a pre-
drawn picture. Painting allows you to explore your creative boundaries and can be a 
very relaxing way to pass the time. Look up some pictures online of beach scenes, 
tropical rainforests, mountains or other landscape scenery for inspiration. Depending 
on your mood, a more abstract painting may appeal to you. 

The possibilities are truly endless. If you've never painted before, you can watch any 
number of educational videos on the internet to help you get started with basic 
techniques. You could even take a painting class once a week offered by your local 
community center. You don't need expensive materials to get started either, just a 
basic set of acrylic paints and some brushes can go a long way.

Cooking and Baking

Most people already have the ingredients in their homes available to make a 
delicious meal. Cooking or baking for yourself can be an immensely rewarding 
activity and can contribute greatly to your self-confidence. Making up new recipes 
tests your creativity, while also offering an activity that you can enjoy with edible 
results! You could watch a baking or cooking show for some food inspiration and 
then try to recreate what they made on the show. 

There's something incredibly satisfying about eating something that you have made 
yourself, and if you find a recipe that you think is a winner you can share it with your 
friends and family. 

Learning how to cook nutritious meals is good for your health and your wallet. 
Cooking at home will save you money and you will be able to control portion sizes 
more efficiently than if you ordered take out every night. Cooking can be a very 
therapeutic activity and offers a chance for you to practice mindfulness while you are 
chopping away at vegetables or mashing potatoes. Learning how to cook healthy 
meals fosters physical self-care as well as mental self-care!


4. Social Activities

Another type of self-care activity that may surprise you is that there are some 
situations where being more social can help. While self-care is more about taking 
care of yourself, that doesn’t always mean doing it alone. Sometimes, what you need 
is to spend time with others.

In some cases, this means spending quality time with your friends or family, while in 
others, it is about getting out of your comfort zone to meet new people.

Here are some social activities to consider for self-care:

Take a Class

Self-care doesn't mean you have to go it alone. You can find a very reliable network 
of support in your own community. Self-care is all about finding out what you like, 
what makes you happy and making time for it. If you need to boost your social circle, 
try taking a class through your local community center. You may find a new hobby 
that you never thought to try. Most community centers offer classes in everything 
from cooking to jewelry making to do-it-yourself soap making! 

You could learn a new skill or take a class on learning a new language. If there's 
something that has been on your bucket list, you can bet that your community center 
has a class for it. Many community centers also pride themselves on being an 
affordable option for community members, so take advantage of what your town has 
to offer.

Join a Running Club or Sports League

If running is something that you enjoy, you do not have to do it solo! Join a running 
club for some added social interactions to your daily workout. You can find running 
clubs of all levels at your local running shop. Additionally, if you are looking for a 
more social activity that helps you get fit at the same time you could join a 
recreational league for a sport that you enjoy playing. Gyms, bars and maybe even 
your office will often have softball, volleyball or basketball leagues depending on the 
season. 

You don't need to be a star athlete to join either, most leagues are centered around 
just having fun. Bowling leagues can also be a fun way to meet new people. Join with 
a friend or on your own and enjoy a few games once a week.

Volunteering

It is possible to practice self-care while also helping others. Volunteering can be a 
very rewarding way to spend your free time. You'll feel good while offering your 
services to organizations that desperately need the help. Pick an organization that 
you fully believe in and will have no problem committing to. If you are an animal 
lover, try to volunteer a few times a month for the local Humane Society or animal 
shelter. Having pets can actually be really beneficial to your mental health and may 
help alleviate anxiety and depression. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to keep an animal so volunteering can be an 
excellent way to enjoy the benefits of having a pet without the responsibilities. If you 
do have a dog already as a pet, taking them to the dog park is a fun, social activity 
that allows you to spend some qualify time with your favorite furry friend. 

Spending More Time at Home

You may be someone who wants to practice self-care by getting away from work 
responsibilities and financial stress so you can do nothing more than spend time with 
your family. That’s okay! In fact, it is a great way to be social and practice self-care at 
the same time.

Here are some different ways to do this:

Have a family game night – Want to spend more time at home with your family? 
Why not have a game night! This is so much fun and everyone gets involved. Kids of 
all ages, including teenagers, will enjoy this. You can draw game titles from a hat 
each week to decide what you will play next, or have the kids rotate by each of them 
choosing a different game each week. There are a lot of games specifically for 
families that are really fun to play. 

Invite friends over for a dinner party – If it has been a while since you have spent 
time with your friends, you don’t necessarily need to go out to see them. Another way 
to practice self-care by spending time with friends is to have them over for a dinner 
party. This can be a casual gathering, or you can have a fancy dinner party to make it 
extra-special.

Do your friends enjoy games? Turn that game night into a friends night. 

Spend a day out with the kids – The kids might want to spend more time with you, 
so you can do this simply by spending the day with them. It doesn’t need to be an 
expensive outing like an amusement park either. Head to a nearby park or beach to 
enjoy the day, go on a long hike with the kids and dogs, or spend time at home 
baking or doing crafts. They will enjoy anything they get to do with you.

As you can see, there are a lot of fun and relaxing self-care activities that you can do 
with others. 


5. Productive Activities

The final category of the self-care activities is with your productive activities. Believe 
it or not, there are some activities that are more about getting things done, but can 
help tremendously with how you feel. When you have less stress and things more 
prepared, it really helps to feel better and like you have things under control.

Take a look at these productive activities to get involved in:

Keep a Goals Journal

Keeping a journal devoted to your short and long-term goals can help you organize 
and be better prepared to meet those goals. Set realistic daily or weekly goals such 
as making time to go to the movies or do another activity that you enjoy. You don't 
need to have any crazy goals right off the bat and you'll feel a sense of 
accomplishment when you achieve the small goals that you set for yourself in your 
journal. 

Scheduling an activity for yourself can help ensure that you actually do it, rather than 
relying on a spontaneous or spur of the moment decision. Your long-term goals also 
do not have to be anything particularly difficult, even making a year long commitment 
to self-care is a great long term goal to have. Keeping a journal of your goals will help 
you keep track of how many you've reached, and at the end of the year you can re-
evaluate to see where you still need improvement and what you should be working 
towards. 

Put the Phone Down

Devoting an hour a day or more to "no phone time," can help you be more productive 
in your daily self-care activities. It is so easy to get distracted by our phones since 
they are constantly by our sides. Some people even start to feel anxious if their 
phone isn't within reach. Unplugging for a while can be incredibly relaxing, and 
leaves you more time to do activities that you actually enjoy, rather than just 
mindlessly scrolling through your social media feeds. 

There are some apps that you can download that will kick you off social media after a 
pre-determined period of time, which is a great place to start. Start out slowly with 15 
or 20 minutes a day of "no phone time," and gradually increase until you get to a full 
hour, or more if desired. 

Eventually you can aim to have a cut off time at the end of the day for your phone or 
tablet use. Put your phone in the kitchen or a room other than your bedroom after a 
certain time at night so that you are not tempted to pick it up. You'll find that you have 
much more time to devote to other self-care activities when you are not on your 
phone every five minutes! Use that extra time to relax with a bath, read a book or 
spend more time with your family.

Get More Sleep

Getting a solid night of sleep is one of the most important self-care activities that you 
can do for yourself. Getting enough sleep will leave you feeling refreshed and 
recharged, ready to take on the challenges of the next day. You'll have more energy 
and will mentally feel much better when you get 8-9 hours of sleep per night. If you 
work out, sleep is an important part of the process as your body needs this time to 
rest and repair. 

While it can seem like the world will end if you don't cram as much into one day as 
possible, you're doing yourself a disservice if you are skipping out on sleep. You will 
be much more productive after you've had an adequate amount of sleep and will be 
better prepared for your day. 

If you have difficulty sleeping you should consult with your doctor. Going to the doctor 
for regular visits, whether it is your primary care doctor, dentist or therapist, is 
another self-care practice that is vital to your total health. Going for check ups can be 
a source of anxiety for some people, so if that is the case be sure to speak with a 
therapist about techniques that you can use to alleviate your anxiety. Self-care is all 
about taking care of yourself and often times that begins with a visit to the doctor.

It never seems as if there are enough hours in the day, but it is so important to make 
a conscious decision to practice self-care. Taking care of your mind, body and 
emotional needs will help you be able to live your best life. You are your best 
advocate; if you are not taking care of yourself it is easy to get burned out by all of 
life's demands. Taking even just 15 minutes a day for yourself to regroup and relax 
can have a profound impact on your well-being. Self-care begins and ends with you!

