100 Simple Self-Care Ideas (+ Printable PDF)

Looking for some new ideas for practicing self-care? Here are 100 self-care ideas that are sure to boost your mood and leave you feeling refreshed.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is defined as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress”.

In simple terms, self-care is exactly what it sounds like. Taking care of yourself – mentally, emotionally, physically.

For many of us, self-care has become less of a natural practice with the hustle and bustle of today’s busy society.

This doesn’t mean it should not be a priority – it means you may need to be more intentional about practicing self-care.

Making time for self-care is not only a healthy practice, but it is essential. Here’s why.

Why We Need Self-Care

Self-care is essential.

When we hear the term “self-care” many of us picture bubble baths and face masks. While this is one form of self-care, it is so much more than that too.

Self-care is getting enough rest. It is feeding yourself nourishing foods. It is tending to your mind and your mental health.

Without self-care, we cannot function properly.

We tend to put emphasis and focus on the external things in our lives – work, relationships, money, material things, etc. but when we don’t take proper time for ourselves, the other areas of our lives pay the price too.

Self-care is not selfish, it is essential.

The 6 Types of Self-Care

LEARN ALL ABOUT THE 6 TYPES OF SELF-CARE HERE

100 Refreshing Self-Care Ideas

Whether you’re looking for at-home self-care ideas, free self-care ideas, relaxing self-care ideas, or fun and adventurous self-care ideas, this list is bound to have some activities for you!

1. Go for a walk
2. Take yourself out for coffee
3. Cuddle with a pet
4. Have an at-home movie night
5. Listen to an uplifting podcast
6. Bake your favorite dessert
7. Take a relaxing self-care bath or self-care shower
8. Have a solo dance party
9. Create a vision board
10. Journal

GET THOUSANDS OF FREE JOURNAL PROMPTS HERE

11. Make a DIY self-care jar
12. Meditate
13. Take a workout class
14. Stretch
15. Create positive affirmation cards

16. Color
17. Paint
18. Do a puzzle
19. Create art
20. Make friendship bracelets
21. Call a friend
22. Write a letter to a loved one
23. Paint your nails
24. Have an at-home spa night
25. Do a face mask
26. Buy yourself flowers
27. Start a new hobby
28. Enjoy your favorite snack
29. Go for a drive
30. Do some yoga
31. Turn your phone off
32. Take some deep breaths in nature
33. Take a nap
34. Wear your comfiest clothes
35. Read an inspiring book
36. Read a for-fun fiction book
37. Binge-watch a TV show
38. Order takeout
39. Make a to-do list for the week
40. Set some new goals for yourself

41. Play a game
42. Look through old photos and reminisce
43. Write a letter of encouragement to yourself
44. Tidy up your space
45. Practice grounding techniques
46. Visit a park
47. Watch a TED Talk
48. Make a fun bucket list
49. Go secondhand book shopping
50. Visit the library
51. Make a fort
52. Watch the sunrise/sunset
53. Scrapbook
54. Savor a good cup of coffee
55. Get a massage
56. Send a ‘thinking of you’ text to someone you love
57. Visit a museum or art gallery
58. Get dressed in something that makes you feel confident
59. Do your hair and/or makeup
60. Change your sheets
61. Tackle a household chore you’ve been putting off
62. Give a compliment
63. Make someone smile
64. Watch cute dog videos online
65. Clean out your social media

READ: 10 Easy Ways to Make Your Instagram Instantly More Positive

66. Brain dump anything on your mind into a journal
67. Buy yourself a gift you’ve been wanting
68. Educate yourself on something you’re curious about
69. Light your favorite candle
70. Plan a dream getaway/vacation
71. Garden
72. List 10 things you are grateful for
73. Write down 5 things you love about yourself
74. Write down 5 things you love about life
75. Stretch
76. Stock up on fresh, nourishing groceries
77. FaceTime a friend or family member
78. Make a homemade dinner
79. Take yourself out for ice cream
80. Rewatch a comfort movie or TV show
81. Hug somebody
82. Drink water
83. Give a gift to a loved one just because
84. Take photos of things you love
85. Lay in the sunshine
86. Read uplifting quotes
87. Go to therapy (TRY TALKSPACE HERE)
88. Learn to sew, knit, or crochet
89. Organize your desk/workspace
90. Take a trip to your favorite store
91. Read poetry (SEE MY FAVORITE POETRY BOOKS HERE)
92. Volunteer or donate to a cause you support
93. Listen to an Audiobook
94. Get cozy in a blanket
95. Play a sport you enjoy
96. Workout
97. Allow yourself to sleep in
98. Make a DIY self-care kit
99. Join a book club
100. Speak kindly to yourself

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How to Get Started with Self-Care

Beginning a consistent and sustainable self-care practice is one of the best things you can do for your health, mindset, productivity, and overall well-being.

Here are 5 tips for getting started with a self-care routine:

1. Discover What YOU Love: If you don’t love the aesthetic, stereotypical ideas of self-care you see online, then don’t do them! There is no one “right” way to practice self-care. Discover what you love and what makes you feel good – then do that.
2. Make Yourself a Priority: Just as you’d prioritize showing up for an important meeting or a friend’s birthday party, start to prioritize showing up for yourself. Don’t expect self-care to naturally happen. Make it happen.
3. Plan It Out: Getting a self-care planner is the best thing I ever did for my self-care practice. Setting aside specific times for self-care makes it way easier to actually make happen. Make it a plan. Write it down. Follow through.
4. Something Is Better Than Nothing: A quick 5-minute self-care activity is better than nothing. You don’t have to spend hours on self-care. Something small and simple is better than nothing.
5. Tune In to Yourself: Your needs will look different every single day. Tune into your mind and body to decide what you need at that moment. Maybe you need a workout, but maybe you need rest. Maybe you need some social interaction or maybe you need some self-care alone time. Your needs will change constantly. Learn how to identify and honor them.

A Note on Self-Care

Remember that self-care doesn’t always look glamorous. Sometimes self-care is just pulling yourself out of bed to take a shower or brush your teeth. Sometimes it’s sleeping until noon or allowing yourself time to cry.

Self-care doesn’t have to be face masks and expensive spa days.

At it’s core, self-care is caring for yourself in whatever form YOU need. You deserve to be cared for and have your needs met.

Self-care is not a luxury, self-care is a necessity.

Never forget that self-care is your right at all times. You are not selfish for taking time to care for yourself. You never need to make excuses or apologies for that.

Take good care of yourself. You deserve it.