50 SELF-CARE IDEAS FOR ENERGY, CALM & OVERALL WELL-BEING
Burning the candle at both ends, so to speak, comes with serious health and psychological consequences.
Self-Care = Self-Respect
Anything we do to keep ourselves healthy and energized is self-care. While few would disagree the importance of self-care, it is unfortunately not prioritized in our lives. And when stressed, it is the first to go. Engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, minimize feelings of frustration, irritability, and depression, and improve energy and immune functioning.
Self-care encourages us to have and maintain a healthy relationship with ourselves so that we can extend our good energy to others. We cannot adequately and efficiently care for and/or give to others when fatigued, depleted, or overwhelmed. One of the most self-less commitments we can make is to commit, unapologetically, to our own well-being.
STRESS METER
In modern times, many individuals are over-worked, over-scheduled, and over-stimulated. We have become mass consumers of distressing news, and are chronically living with a sense of burdensome deadlines and urgency. Our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is responsible for keeping us alert in case of danger and was only meant to be engaged for a brief period of time (as a protective mechanism).
Following a brief period of stress, the body will naturally return to homeostasis. The heart rate slows, the muscles relax, and breathing returns to normal. It is the heaviness of chronic stress that increases the likelihood of poor health. Without a self-care practice in place, our life can quickly become scattered and feel out of control. In a society in which heavy emphasis is placed on productivity and an unrealistic sense of urgency, self-care often falls to the wayside. By carving out time to engage in self-care, we will relieve the day-to-day pressures of life and help re-balance ourselves back to health, vitality, and energy.
BOUNDARIES
One of the best self-care practices we can adopt is to have healthy boundaries. Whereas location is paramount in real estate, communication and boundaries hold the same importance in relationships; both with ourselves and with others. Good, well-defined boundaries create a healthy connected and integrated sense of self, and they help create and maintain healthy relationships with others.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is the act of paying attention to the present moment with a non-judgmental attitude. In essence, mindfulness is the basic human ability to become fully present, without feelings of overwhelm or over-reactivity.
Be mindful of your thoughts and your thinking patterns.
We have more power to direct our thoughts than we typically believe. As with anything else, it is a skill that needs practice to strengthen. The more we engage in directing and choosing our thoughts (and therefore our energy), the more equipped and adept we will be in doing so under stressful times. We wouldn't expect stronger biceps if we never use these essential arm muscles. The same applies to our thoughts. Empower the ones you wish to grow!
Periodically, throughout the day, pausing and conducing a mini check-in is advised. Self-reflection is key to transformational growth and to a calmer, more satisfying life. Take a moment and ask questions such as:
- Do I feel connected to the present activity?
- Is this present activity energizing me or depleting me of my energy?
- How am I feeling right now?
- When I listen to my body, what is it telling me I need?
- What am I paying attention to at this moment?
- What is the rhythm of my life right now? Too fast, too slow? Smooth, irregular?
THE PARETO PRINCIPLE
Offered below are 50 self-care activities and while it is not expected that we will do all or even most of these activities, the Pareto Principle or 80/20 rule comes to mind as how best to approach this list. Named after Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, the principle simply observes that for many phenomena, 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort.
or
80% of our self-care benefits come from 20% of our self-care actions
so
of the 50 items listed below (and you may wish to add some of your own), review the list and choose your go-to 10.
Keep this list handy as an easily accessible reference.
For maximum benefits, when choosing your self-care activity, approach it with mindfulness; with your full attention:
- Listen to uplifting music
- Connect with nature
- Get a massage
- Pet your dog or snuggle with your cat
- Engage in an activity that places you in the zone or in flow
- Enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or tea
- Repeat a favorite mantra
- Draw
- Sing
- Knit, crochet, or sew
- Watch a favorite movie
- Watch a motivational video
- Write 3 things you're grateful for; REPEAT tomorrow!
- Go for a long walk
- Send someone you love a random care package
- Journal
- Think of a funny story or memory
- Watch your favorite tv show
- Call a friend to chat
- Arrange to meet a friend for coffee or lunch
- Do a yoga pose
- Exercise
- Diffuse an essential oil
- Read a good book
- De-clutter a drawer or Organize a closet
- Practice Yoga Nidra
- Cook a delicious meal
- Listen to an uplifting or educational podcast
- Schedule a spa day
- Hydrate; Infuse your water with lemon wedges, lime or favorite fruit
- Watch a sunrise or sunset
- Go for a bike ride
- Enjoy a bath or hot shower
- Garden
- Tour your city like a tourist
- Complete a crossword puzzle
- Schedule a vacation or week-end get-away
- Learn something new
- Meditate or pray
- Read poetry
- Write poetry
- Dance
- Swim
- Sunbathe
- Take a digital vacation
- Take a break from social media
- Bake
- Re-connect with your youth- do something you used to like to do
- Create a vision board
- Hand write a letter to a friend (or yourself)
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