We live in a fast-paced world with too much to do. However, if we aren’t careful, we could become stressed and lose our ability to handle our responsibilities.
I should know. Last year, I home-schooled my son for his last year of high school, driving him to and from community college for dual-credit, checking his school work, then taking him to work and picking him up late at night.
By the end of the 16-week semester, I was a wreck. I lost my focus and satisfaction in life. I was burned-out. Ask me a question, and all you’d get back was a blank stare. You get the picture. It wasn’t pretty.
So, what is “self-care” anyway? Get ready for a lesson in academics, or just skip this paragraph. The term was first coined and developed by Dorothea Orem, a nurse theorist between 1959 to 2001. Orem’s Nursing Theory defines self-care as “the practice of activities that individuals initiate and perform on their own behalf in maintaining life, health, and well-being.”
The thought is that any person can practice self-care to ease stress, illness, depression, or other negative emotions. These areas of activities involve the body, mind, and spirit.
I created this list of self-care activities to help me reset and restore my life. Now, as you read the list you may ask yourself, “Okay, how does drinking water or eating breakfast help you?” Well, you must put gas in the car before you start on a trip, right?
Another question: how does making your bed help you? I guess the short answer would be it prevents me from jumping back into it. But seriously, it helps you start your day. For an inspiring read check this.
Please keep in mind; this is my list. Feel free to ignore the activities that don’t excite you and focus on the ones that make a difference for you.
Body: These 28 activities help you stay healthy and provide energy.
- Drink water
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Eat lunch
- Eat something organic
- Have a favorite alcoholic drink
- Eat a favorite food
- Eat a light dinner before 7:00 pm
- Stretch
- Go to the gym
- Take a walk
- Play a fast-paced sport like ping pong
- Maintain good posture
- Establish a 2-minute walking routine every hour
- Spend time in the sun (10 min.)
- Breathe deeply for 5 minutes
- Get a massage
- Get a manicure and pedicure
- Get a facial
- Take a hot shower or bath
- Have a home spa day
- Get a haircut
- Get all dressed up
- Pet, play or walk the dog
- Hug someone (12-15 seconds)
- Use a diffuser with essential oils or use them on yourself
- Take a nap (set a timer for 20 minutes)
- Do your bedtime routine
- Go to bed early
Eat a favorite food (smoked brisket mac and cheese with garlic bread)
Pet, play or walk the dog. Won’t you play with me?
I think it’s hilarious that I should list “eat something organic” and follow it with “have a favorite alcoholic drink” which is a gin and tonic that I indulge in about twice a year. Hee, hee.
Mind: These 22 activities help you to challenge your brain, reboot your brain, or give your mind a break.
- Make your bed
- Make a to-do list
- Learn something new
- Learn a new skill or take a class
- Plan to be spontaneous (HA!)
- Write a blog post
- Be crafty
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
- Go to the library
- Read a book or magazine
- Play a game on the computer
- Throw away an old piece of clothing
- Declutter, get rid of 10 things
- Organize a space
- Clean an area of the house or yard
- Plan a bucket list and work on something on it
- Draw or color
- Plan a vacation
- Journal
- Plan “me” time
- Create a personal mission statement or read your mission statement
- Pay down a debt
A personal mission statement can help you keep aligned with the values you feel are most important. For a guide to writing your own mission statement, read here.
Spirit: These 32 activities help you deal with stressful emotions.
- Make a list of your accomplishments
- Make a list of your personal qualities
- Repeat positive affirmations
- Listen to your “pump it up” songs
- Go shopping
- Buy some flowers
- Buy a gift for yourself
- Buy a new piece of clothing
- Get a coffee
- Go out to eat
- Watch TV or YouTube videos
- Go to the movies and eat popcorn
- Write in a grateful journal
- Go to an art museum or antiques shop
- Be silly, laugh, and tell jokes
- Do some gardening
- Go to the zoo
- Feed the birds
- Go to the park
- Go to a nursery
- Take a day trip or a road trip
- Burn a candle
- Listen to music
- Go people watching
- Look at the clouds
- Watch the sun rise or set
- Look at the stars
- Look at photo albums
- Sing
- Hire someone to do a chore
- Create a self-care kit
- Use your self-care kit
Buy some flowers
A self-care kit may be a box, purse or container that has calming objects that you can use whenever you feel the need to regroup. Some items in a self-care kit could include a journal and pen, stuffed animal, essential oils, lotions, pictures of loved ones, tea, a favorite snack, and tissues.
Spirit: These 18 include maintaining relationships and caring for others.
- Practice kindness
- Be humble
- Forgive and forget a wrong done to you
- Have deep conversations with family members
- Study and meditate on spiritual topics
- Donate for a good cause
- Volunteer at a shelter, hospital or nursing home
- Visit an animal shelter
- Offer to be of assistance to someone
- Cook or bake something and share it
- Go to out to eat with someone
- Go on a date with your significant other
- Buy some stationery or stamps and write letters
- Buy a gift for someone
- Throw a party or host a luncheon
- Visit with someone in person
- Listen with empathy and be encouraging
- Interact on social media
You will notice that many of these activities are things you do each day. To regain your focus, practice these self-care activities of the body, mind, and spirit. Which ones will you try today?