31 Days of Self Care
If life has been a little hectic lately, it might be time to adopt a little self care into your daily routine. Here’s 31 ways to practise self care. Make time for one a day and you’ll have 31 Days of Self Care.
Day 1: Breathe deeply.
Connection with the breath has deep lasting benefits, calming the mind, reducing stress and aligning us with our internal being.
Day 2: Check your thoughts.
Focus on and filter your thoughts to understand how you are feeling, which are your true thoughts and which belong to others.
Day 3: Run, walk, get active.
Exercise is known to improve the mood, help you arrange your thoughts, spark creativity and maintain a healthy body for now and the future.
Day 4: Make time to play.
Try a kick about with friends, a team sport, a board game, bananagrams or immersing yourself in imaginative play with the kids. You might be surprised at how you feel.
Day 5: Drink water.
A hydrated body and mind works more efficiently, boosting brain power, increasing energy and reducing fatigue. (Good reminder….I just reached for my water bottle)
Day 6: Spend time in nature.
It’s the biggest and best FREE activity available. Amazing for boosting our moods, relieving stress, restoring our goals and beliefs and improving concentration levels.
Day 7: Try some meditation.
Whilst meditation is not everyone’s thing, 5-10 minutes of inward focus, mindful breathing and stillness will help you take time out.
Day 8: Read for fun.
Find a comfy chair, a cup of your favourite tea and escape into your imagination.
Day 9: Buy yourself flowers.
There’s nothing like bringing the outdoors in with some fresh flowers to engage your senses.
Day 10: Early night.
Sleep makes you feel better. It’s a key part of healthy living for your mind… and body, so treat yourself today. Snuggle up and enjoy!
Day 11: Get out gardening.
Spending time outdoors is great for stress relief and building self esteem, It’s also a great physical workout.
Day 12: Eat well.
Increasing amounts of research links nutrition with mental health. A fresh and healthy balanced diet will help support a balanced mind.
Day 13: Surround yourself with positive people
and they’ll inspire you, help you achieve your goals and empower you to be the best you can be.
Day 14: Enjoy a cuppa.
Pause, create some space and make time for a quiet cuppa today.
Day 15: Bath time relax.
Set aside 20 minutes for yourself, run yourself a bath and relax. Its a great stress reliever and a warm bath promotes a good night’s sleep.
Day 16: Digital detox.
Maybe today or later this week, schedule a day for a digital detox. No computers, no phones and minimise technology – totally unplug. You might be surprised by the results.
Day 17: Be still.
Create space in your day today to sit somewhere lovely, get comfortable and be still. The health benefits are endless, for your mind and your body.
Day 18: Put pen to paper.
Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you to see things more clearly. What was good, what part no longer connects with the person you are, what needs to change
Day 19: Be your own best friend.
Consider praising, soothing and nurturing yourself. Rather than telling your inner self to ‘get over it’, why not help them, soothe them and tell them they are doing so well.
Day 20: A space for you.
Create yourself a special place, somewhere to pause and think. Indoors or outdoors, large or small, somewhere you can escape to just for you.
Day 21: Be active.
Get yourself outdoors today. Even a 10 minute stroll around the neighbourhood will help to lighten your mood and support your overall wellbeing.
Day 22: Treat yourself.
Indulge a little and treat yourself today. Book yourself a massage, a haircut, a golf lesson, or a lunch out with friends.
Day 23: Try yoga.
Take 10 minutes today to try some yoga. The combination of focusing on your breath, stretching out your body and trying different poses is so healing.
Day 24: Take a snooze.
Treating yourself to a 15 – 30 minute power nap can boost your mood, improve memory and even sharpen your senses. Time for a siesta?
Day 25: Say no once.
You cannot be everything to everyone. Take care of yourself and accept that it really is ok to say no, rather than over committing and feeling resentful.
Day 26: Be creative.
Using our creative and imaginative skills can take us to a place of healing, whilst the slow pace of creative expression significantly lowers the stress hormone.
Day 27: Give.
Whether volunteering, donating to charity, giving your time to help a friend in need or a random act of kindness, giving boosts your own emotional wellbeing and even reduces stress
Day 28: Stretch out.
Establish a short stretching session into your everyday routine. Just like animals, humans need to stretch for improved posture, stress relief and betteralignment and balance.
Day 29: Chat to a friend.
Talking can be very healing. Catching up with a good friend will give you the opportunity to voice your thoughts, to gain perspective, to listen, to laugh, and maybe even learn a little.
Day 30: Watch the clouds.
When was the last time you just sat back and watched the clouds float by? Talk about relaxation, perspective and stress relief.
Day 31: Book a holiday or short break.
Booking a new holiday for later this year or next will give you an immediate mood boost and something to look forward to.
Enjoy these 31 days of self care and if you have others to add that work for you, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me on Twitter @Burnout_uk and hopefully I will be able to help and inspire you regularly.
