Are you any good at taking self-care actions? I am simply awful. I truly think that hanging out at the barn cleaning a stall is taking time for me. But guess what? It is not!
You have probably heard tons of different self-care ideas throughout the years. However, it has never been as important to take note of them as it is now.
With anxiety and uncertainly high, possible job and/or income loss, disease at our doorsteps, and so much hatred in the world, it is important that you learn how to take care of yourself.
And no! Taking care of others, even if it makes you feel good, does not count as self-care.
What is self-care?
Self-care can be different for each person. Basically, a self-care activity is anything done deliberately in order to care for our emotional, physical, and mental health. It can improve your mood, make you feel less anxious, and help you get through tough times.
Why are self-care actions so hard?
Self-care is really hard! Is seems as though it should be a walk in the park, but it truly takes effort. You have to be deliberate and make time for it. It often makes us feel guilty when we need it and even worse, we often feel undeserving. We have to first break these barriers to engage in self-care.
Is self-care being selfish?
NO! Taking care of yourself makes you strong. It makes you brave. It makes YOU a better YOU!
The self-care actions we list below are all ways that you can take care of yourself, so that you can better care for others. Just like on an airplane, you have to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others.
Making time for self-care can boost your self-confidence, self-esteem, and general worthiness. Your needs are important, too. And self-care is a need.
Check out some of our favorite self-care actions below. Which one will you do first?
23 Self-Care Actions You Can Do Today
1. Create a regular, consistent sleep routine.
2. Eat healthy foods, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you eat something comforting.
3. Take a break. Get off the computer for 5 to 10 minutes after a couple hours of work.
4. Take a walk outdoors.
5. Simplify your life. Can something be dropped to give you more time for yourself?
6. Get a pet. Just remember it’s a lifelong commitment.
7. Stretch to energize your body.
8. Start a gratitude journal.
9. Meet with a therapist. (This can be done using telemedicine.)
10. Unplug from social media for a day or even a few hours.
11. Learn something new. Try a new language, recipe, or hobby.
12. Exercise regularly to get your heart rate elevated.
13. Say no when you have to. It’s a complete sentence.
14. Meditate or breathe deeply for at least five minutes. Using an app like Calm can help.
15. Choose to be around people who uplift you.
16. Laugh out loud at something at least once a day.
17. Include a green vegetable in your daily diet.
18. Start a garden.
19. Stop overthinking and running through countless scenarios in your mind.
20. Get organized.
21. Cook a new recipe, or an old recipe you haven’t made in a while.
22. Read a book.
23. Connect with friends and family virtually.
The truth is that any of these self-care ideas will be helpful. Whatever you choose to do, know that this time for yourself is essential.
Listen to your heart, body, and mind to see what you need. Allow yourself the opportunity to process negative feelings and emotions by “sitting” with them and working on letting them pass.
Take one day at a time, be kind, be respectful, don’t be reactive and, as they say…this too shall pass. We can only hope we have all learned some lessons from the pain…
What self-care actions will you take today? What action will you implore others around you to take?
I am a home cook that does things my way. In my kitchen, I make breakfast, pack lunches, prepare snacks, and cook dinner. During the week, we eat real food that is homemade, organic, and local. On the weekends we do explore more of our local restaurants. I bake my own bread, juice fresh oranges every other day, and make my own kombucha and other weekly favorites.
