20 Self Care Ideas for a Healthy Happy You

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Practicing self-care is vital for your mental health. Here are 20 simple self-care ideas, tips & activities you can do at home – today and every day!

a photo collage showing different self-care activities with a pink text overlay saying "20 Self Care Ideas for Health and Happiness"

A Note from the Author

Let me start by saying that there is no one-size-fits-all method of practicing self-care. It is different for each person and can vary from day to day.

What are the first things that come to your mind when thinking about self-care? Eating right and exercising? Good girl – but even though these are indeed important pillars of self-love, there are many more (and fun) ways to practice self-care.

Self-care can be as simple as setting aside some time to put yourself first. Let go of those worries, and do things not because they need to be done but just because they make you feel fabulous.

While the mainstream perception of self-care often involves spending big bucks at your local spa, trust me when I tell you that you can pull this self-care thing off without spending any money at all!

a small piece of paper with the word mindfulness written on it leaning against a window

20 Self-Care Ideas you can include in your daily routine

Not every single one of the self-care ideas on this list is going to work for you, but hopefully, there are enough to pick and choose from or to just inspire and remind you that self-love is important and necessary!

a turned off white tablet and a white smartphone on a marble countertop

1. Digital Detox

In this age of social media domination, we are increasing our dependence on our devices while paying less attention to our real-life relationships. Turning your devices off for a whole day is a great way to disconnect and get some “me time”, but you can also try scheduling certain periods each day where you go without them.

Read more about how to digital detox.

2. Go for a walk

Not only is taking a walk a simple and effective way of coping with stress, but it also combines the benefits of exercise and spending time in nature. Walk mindfully. Stay in the present, focus on your surroundings, maybe listen to some music that makes you feel relaxed. Listen to your body as you walk, and breathe deeply.

a small brass buddha between two crystals

3. Meditate

As little as 10-minutes of meditation can bring benefits such as increased mindfulness and mental clarity. I know meditation can sound intimidating – just sitting there alone with your thoughts in complete silence.

While some people meditate in silence, there are also plenty of guided meditations and meditation music tracks on Youtube to help you get started. You can also check out this list of meditation apps that can be downloaded to your device.

4. Yoga

Yoga is hands down one of the best self-care tools out there. No need for sweaty and expensive classes! There are so many wonderful yoga poses that you can practice at home, and even in your bed. Start with a little 10 minute session and if you like it, increase sessions and duration.

Read about our 5 favorite yoga poses for holiday stress plus our 8 favorite yoga poses to help you detox naturally.

5. Keep a Journal

Free your mind from the noise in your head by writing it all down! Write down bucket lists, favorite sayings, inspirational quotes – whatever floats around in your head.

6. Get more (and Better!) sleep

Make getting those 8 hours of sleep a priority. If your schedule is erratic, work on going to bed within a specific 1-hour window every night. Couple that with getting up within a consistent window every morning. Avoid blue light for at least 2 hours before bed if possible, and try to avoid caffeine in the afternoons.

If you typically get in bed and spend a lot of time scrolling before actually closing your eyes, charge your phone in a different room. Try white, brown, or pink noise if you can’t sleep in silence. Use a sleeping mask or black-out curtains if you’re sensitive to light.

Do you wake up with aches and pains in the morning, or have a hard time falling asleep at night? Consider investing in a super supportive, high-quality mattress, or at least a topper for your current mattress. After all, you spend a third of your life in bed!

Splurge on cozy, comfy bedding, too. Weighted blankets and cooling blankets are marvelous, magnificent tools that can really make a difference for some people. If you sleep hot, consider bamboo or satin sheets rather than flannel, cotton, or polyester.

a pair of feet peeking out of a thick pink blanket

7. Get rid of stuff

A minimalist lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and we’re not saying you need to sell off everything you own. That being said, being constantly surrounded by clutter can actually cause a significant amount of stress, anxiety, and even depression.

More stuff means more mess. More mess means more stress. More stress means more physical, mental, and emotional energy spent dealing with the stress. And the mess. And the stuff.

If that sounds familiar to you, maybe it’s time to let go of some of the “stuff” that fills your home but doesn’t bring you any joy or positivity.

Read more about the effect that clutter and mess can have on mental health.

8. Remember books?

For an easy way to take care of your mind, body, and soul, you don’t need to look further than your bookshelf. Empty shelves? Go to the public library or a book cafe. Sit in a comfy chair and read.

a woman sitting in a bath tub with a wine glass in hand

9. Home Spa

Is there anything more relaxing than a nice warm bath after a long day? Why not go for the full home-spa experience with candles, essential oils (try lavender, rose, or chamomile for relaxation) and a glass of wine.

10. Learn to say “no”

Stop saying yes to things you really don’t want to do.

As social beings, it is hard not to struggle with people-pleasing. We all want to fit in and be liked. Trust me, a simple “no” once in a while can be a huge part of maintaining healthy boundaries and should become an integral part of your self-care routine.

It is not always easy, but with practice, it might just become your secret self-care weapon.

a white Japanese tea pot on a wooden tray with a tea cup on the side

11. Create your own Tea Ritual

One of my personal fave self-care rituals is the oldest one in the book: making a pot of tea. Splurge on a few nice herbal loose-leaf teas and dust off that teapot!

12. Hygge up

Dim those lights, burn a few candles, turn on some relaxing music, and enjoy the presence of people you love. For more ideas, head over to my blog post on Hygge Ideas.

13. Do something creative & crafty

Draw, paint, or tackle one of those fun DIY projects on your Pinterest board. Get creative in the kitchen and develop a new recipe that will make you excited about dinner again.

a travel journal, pen and camera lying on a city map

14. Plan a vacation just for fun.

The happiest part of your vacation might actually happen way before you even leave the house. Just planning or anticipating a self-care trip can make you happier than actually taking it plus it is totally free! Get planning!

15. Cuddle

It is scientifically proven that cuddling relieves anxiety and depression while boosting your immune system! Snuggling pets also counts!

16. Cook yourself a nice meal

No need for company to justify a nice meal. Go shopping for some high-quality ingredients, cook your favorite comfort food and really savor your meal. No sharing needed!

a gratitude journal with a golden pen on the side

17. Try a gratitude list

Who are the people in your life you’re grateful to know? What are some of the memories you’re grateful to have? List 20 things you can appreciate right now?

18. Celebrate achievements with a “well done!” list

Celebrate your achievements, however big or small they may be, by writing them down. Pick up the list whenever you feel down and read it. You’ll feel better instantly.

Edit who you follow on social media. If they don’t make you feel good and bring you joy, they gotta go. No matter how hard-working, inspiring, or cool they are.

20. Listen to podcasts & audiobooks

Choose a topic which really interests you (NOT something you feel you should know more about!) and find a new podcast to listen to for a while. Alternatively, listen to an audiobook version of those paper or eReader books you’ve been wanting to read.

How to Get Started

Don’t feel like you have to change your whole life overnight. 20 things is a LOT, and we’re not saying you need to do them all right away – or EVER, for that matter.

Including even just a handful of these self-care suggestions into your day or week regularly can have big impacts on other facets of your health, your relationships with others, and even your relationship with yourself.

Where do you start, then? Well, that’s up to you! Reflect seriously on what’s not working in your current day-to-day. Identify areas you want to change, improve, or overhaul entirely. Then choose MANAGEABLE, PRACTICAL, and SUSTAINABLE practices you can reasonably incorporate consistently.

And don’t worry about getting it all perfect. “Perfect” isn’t the goal. “Better” is the goal.