60+ Self-Care Ideas to Help You Feel Better

Welcome to our post with fun and useful self-care ideas. Self-care for us is like sunlight for plants. It's essential for our health and happiness. But, it is so often overlooked and underestimated.

Self-care is about nourishing your soul. We are so busy with chores, thoughts, worries, next steps, and responsibilities that we don't really take time to care for ourselves.

How many of us can say that one hour of our day is for nourishing our minds? Not many. Not me either.

I know it's not realistic for all of us to give one hour to self-care but let's try to give the most we can. With the self-care ideas I'll be sharing now, I hope that you'll find things that you would love to do.

It's important to know self-care because it's all okay when our days are going well or at least feel under control. But when the times are turbulent, our emotions are fragile, we need something to rely on.

Self-care helps us with support and comfort. It gives us the strength to pick up when we stumble and deal with the bad days. We can't always control how we feel but we can choose how we treat ourselves.

And with that, here are your self-care ideas to nourish your body, mind, and soul:

Self-Care Ideas

Take our 30-day Self-Care Challenge in the Gratitude app.
Take a long, soothing bath with scented candles and soft music. Let go of any tasks. Simply enjoy your time.
Go for a mindful walk in nature alone. If possible, don't take your phone. Instead of looking down, look up and breathe in the beautiful view that you see. Nature is the epitome of taking things slow and still being perfect.
Write in a journal or start a gratitude practice. Express your thoughts and emotions freely. You can also try making a list of little things you are grateful for in your life.
Try a new hobby or revisit an old one. Is there something you liked to do or are interested in trying out? Give yourself the space to explore new things for no reason except that you want to.
Meditate for a few minutes or chant a mantra repeatedly in a quiet area.
Listen to music that helps you feel calm or understood. For me, it's mostly 'folklore' and 'evermore' by Taylor Swift, and 'five seconds flat' by Lizzy McAlpine.
Practice yoga or stretching exercises. The feeling when your muscles relax is sooo good! It's like your whole body is feeling thankful and rejuvenated.
Cook a healthy and delicious meal for yourself. This is one of my favorite quick self-care activities. Food has become a friend to me as I am getting older and the one thing that I can control even in desperate times.
Read a light-hearted or fun book that can take you on a journey you'll enjoy. I loved reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini for some crying release and If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon to feel excitement in boring times.
Watch a movie/show that makes you laugh or brings you joy. Little Women by Greta Gerwig is a classic for me. And, nothing beats The Office. Also, I love to watch animated movies. They're so full of happiness!
Volunteer for a cause that aligns with your values. Sometimes all you need is to help someone else. I always feel really happy when I feed a hungry animal.
Have a digital detox and spend time away from screens. Screens take so much of our time and energy. Be mindful of how much they're a part of your life. You can have a day where you don't do anything online at all and see what that does.
Engage in a creative activity like painting, drawing, or crafting.
Treat yourself to a massage or spa day.
Spend quality time with loved ones or friends. Order your favorite food, watch a movie, or just chat about stuff.
Start a new fitness routine or try a new workout class.
Practice deep breathing exercises or guided relaxation.
Go on a long drive in your city and explore the outskirts.
Listen to a podcast or audiobook on a topic you find interesting.
Declutter and organize your living space. When you transform your space to feel more open or beautiful, it really helps you feel better and improves your daily life.
Sleep in – that's it.
Visit a local market and explore the little shops. Buy a gift for yourself too.
Bring a new plant into your home.
Write a letter to your future self expressing your hopes and current situation.
Write a letter to your younger self expressing love and everything you want or miss.
Attend a workshop or class to learn something new.
Go for a ride on your bike.
Take yourself out on a date to a place you enjoy.
Write a letter of appreciation to someone who has positively impacted your life.
Take a virtual or in-person therapy session. Our minds change and grow when we make the effort in the right ways. Therapy is a great tool to do that.
Listen to calming music or nature sounds for relaxation as you rest.
Practice self-reflection through journaling prompts or guided writing exercises.
Start a daily gratitude practice by listing three things you're grateful for each day.
Write affirmations for self-care and place them where you can see them daily.
Practice self-care through pampering activities like a face mask or DIY spa treatment.
Take a day trip to a nearby town or city and explore new surroundings.
Reflect on your accomplishments in the last few years and celebrate your achievements.
Write a letter of forgiveness to someone, including yourself.
Take a photography walk and capture the beauty around you.
Do what you did as a child, whether it be watching your favorite cartoon or playing a game. Let your inner child come out.
Take a solo day trip to a place you've always wanted to visit.
Attend a live performance, such as a concert, theater play, or comedy show.
Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite and paying attention to flavors and textures.
Start a DIY project or engage in home decor activities.
Make a gratitude tree or gratitude jar.
Spend a day by the water, whether it's at the beach, a lake, or a nearby pool.
Write down your dreams and aspirations, and how your life would be when you achieve them. Allow yourself to fantasize and daydream.
Write letters to yourself for particular emotions, for example, a letter that you should read when you have self-doubt, similarly a letter for when you feel alone.
Spend time in solitude and embrace peace and quiet.
Take up a new musical instrument or revisit one you used to play.
Practice self-care through acts of creativity, such as writing poetry or drawing.
Try a new form of art therapy, such as sculpting, collage-making, or pottery.
Practice mindfulness while engaging in everyday activities like washing dishes or taking a shower.
Participate in a dance or movement class to express yourself creatively.
Spend time in nature and practice grounding techniques like barefoot walking or tree hugging.
Try a new form of relaxation therapy, such as acupuncture, Reiki, or sound healing.
Practice self-care by setting healthy boundaries and saying no when necessary.
Engage in a laughter yoga session or watch a comedy show to uplift your spirits.
Explore your spiritual side through meditation, prayer, or attending religious services.
Set aside regular time for self-care and treat it as a non-negotiable part of your schedule.
Take a break from social media and focus on real-life connections and experiences.
Create a self-care ritual before bed, such as reading, listening to calming music, or practicing gratitude.