Many people look for ideas for self care and use the term “self care” without truly understanding what it means. Self care is not just one thing; it can look like many things. To some, self care is canceling that outing because you just lack the energy; to others, self care is planting a seed in dead ground and waiting for a flower to grow.
You have probably read about all the usual ways to do self care – have a bath! Take a nap! Go for a walk! Journal your feelings! Well, here I lay out seven unique ideas for self care that you may not have thought of or done yet. I hope these ideas inspire you and help you be a better version of yourself this week. So, let’s give it go, shall we?
1. Unusual Ideas for Self Care Include: Have a Good Cry
But wait, isn’t self care about feeling good? Yes and if you have pent up emotion – you may not even realize you have – once you let it out, you will feel AMAZING. Some people might say that you shouldn’t cry because it’s a sign of weakness, but if you’re an emotional wreck and need to let it out, then go ahead and sob your heart out.
Crying for an extended duration causes oxytocin and endorphins to be released, otherwise known as endorphins. The body’s own pain-relieving neurotransmitters, known as endorphins, can also be released when we exercise. Both physical and emotional pain may be relieved by these feel-good chemicals.
You may feel as if you need an ugly cry, and that’s perfectly OK! A good cry will help you let go of any negative feelings and allow your body to release those endorphins we mentioned earlier which make us feel happy again.
Having a good cry is often necessary for our mental health and general well-being because it allows us the opportunity to express emotions like anger, sadness, stress, and anxiety in a healthy way. Sometimes not being able to have this type of emotional release just becomes too much from everyday life stresses such as work or relationships so having these types of breakdowns are inevitable when happen unexpectedly.
One of the best ways to cry is to watch a really sad movie or a sad book and just let go. Movies where the dog dies does it for me – every time 😢
When trying cry on demand make sure to take deep breaths through your nose which will naturally cause the contraction of throat muscles responsible for increasing tear production (therefore allowing more tears out). So let it out – you WILL feel better after – I promise.
2. Take a Virtual Dream Trip
Did you ever have a dream vacation that you were never able to achieve? Whether it was because of budget, lack of time or any other reason, there is no harm in taking the virtual trip. All you have to do is close your eyes and imagine yourself on top of that famous structure with the perfect view or by that amazing lake.
Go online – look at pictures and videos of where you would like to go. Do your research and explore where you would like to stay, what attractions will you visit? What meals to you want to eat and so on.
Here are some more ways to take a virtual trip:
– Take a picture walk through famous places from around the world on Google Maps Street View
– Watch videos of various landscapes from different countries on YouTube
– Listen to music from around the world by streaming online radio stations via Spotify or Apple Music
The best part about doing this as one of your ideas for self care is that you can go for as many days as you want! No one is going to stop you from letting your mind wander around in your imaginary world.
What do you want to see? Who would you like to meet? How does it make you feel to be in that place? Jot down some quick notes about your dream trip right now.
Think about how nice it would be to just get out of the house/apartment for a day. Maybe go on an adventure with someone close, or just wander around town until you find something interesting. Dream and dream some more until you feel it. By taking virtual trips in any number of these forms, you will feel rejuvenated and relaxed all at once! Try a dream trip today!
3. Redecorate or Rearrange Your Living Space for a New You
If you’ve been feeling blue, perhaps all you need is to redecorate your living space to boost your spirits! Making your living space more efficient and pleasant to live in may enhance your mental health, productivity, and mindfulness. Sometimes redecorating can be expensive though, which is why we’ve come up with some ways to redecorate your space for free!
Let’s get started with these ideas for self care!
Start by adding a few new candles or flowers. This will liven the room and make it feel more intimate. If you want to go above and beyond, try making them yourself using fresh ingredients from your garden or local farmer’s market!
Don’t have any plants? No problem – use silk flowers instead so they last forever without needing water! Just remember that different types of candle scents affect our moods in different ways (hint hint!), so choose accordingly when decorating.
Next, rearrange furniture into groupings that are easy to walk around rather than cramped. This will give your living space a more open feeling, which has been proven to decrease stress levels!
Finally, redecorate the walls with some fresh paint or new artwork. Maybe you could even redraw that one picture that’s hung up in every room of your apartment since the beginning of time. This is also an excellent opportunity for using wall decals if it isn’t too permanent (or expensive) for you!
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris, designer
4. Give Some Love to Houseplants
Many people wonder when they’ll find the time for ideas for self care. It turns out that those with house plants are already doing it. Gardening has been shown to improve mental health, making it easier for individuals with depression to cope. People who garden frequently report their thoughts becoming clearer, they breathe more easily, they are less worried, and they enjoy the act of planting seeds in soil. It’s a good intention to look after another living thing that keeps us grounded in the moment.
It’s a great way to stop feeling sad and be mindful, which is often difficult in today’s hectic world. It also gives us the opportunity to slow down and take care of ourselves each day by being hands on with our house plants.
If you don’t have your own house plant or garden space, many shops now sell houseplants! They even deliver them right to your doorstep if needed. Many people find this a wonderful alternative because it allows them to enjoy taking care of others through watering different kinds of house plants without even having their own backyard or porch area for gardening purposes.
This can help those who are not comfortable outdoors yet still wish they had fresh air around them all the time as well as making sure that there is always greenery around them. It makes house plants seem less intrusive and it can help you relax more easily at home or in the office.
Many studies have shown that house plants:
- increases concentration (helping students focus better)
- helps prevent asthma attacks -improves moods by reducing stress, especially if they are flowering house plants
- reduces blood pressure & anxiety levels while increasing serotonin production—the feel-good chemical!
Taking care of houseplants can also give us a sense of accomplishment. They need our attention every single day to survive and flourish which is an excellent reminder about how we should be treating ourselves too daily–with plenty of love, nurturing, and spent being mindful with intentional self.
5. Create Something! DIY and Crafting Will Make You Feel Awesome
Crafts and DIY projects have long been hailed as being therapeutic due to how rewarding they are to create at the same time as relieving tension or negative feelings people might have. It’s also worth noting that some research has suggested certain types of crafts produce endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller and mood elevator.
A study found that crafts like knitting, or quilting can reduce levels of depression in older adults. This is likely due to how crafts allow people to channel their energy into something positive and calming instead of focusing on losing a loved one, financial stressors etc. Crafting also allows you to express yourself through your choices in colors, cuts or shapes which may even help with self confidence! Through crafting we get an opportunity for some introspection about who we are as individuals; we learn more about ourselves than perhaps what we might have expected at first glance–and this can be incredibly fulfilling!
Crafts provide many benefits such as:
- crafts increase focus and concentration
- crafts allow you to express yourself creatively
- crafts are rewarding and feel good!
- crafts are a great way to relieve stress
- crafts can help you feel accomplished and rewarded
- DIY projects allow you to be creative, which stimulates your brain in new ways. This can increase productivity!
- crafts provide an opportunity for self reflection since it is often done alone. You may end up learning more about yourself than you ever thought possible through the process of creating something!
DIY and crafting projects can be fun, creative, and even give your brain a boost and open you to many ideas for self care. With the internet today, it’s easier than ever before to find inspiration for DIY projects or crafts that are simple enough for anyone to do at home. Learning new skills is also great for self confidence.
6. Why Dating Yourself is a Great Self Care Idea
It doesn’t matter if you are coupled or uncoupled – self-love and confidence grow as you accept yourself and understanding that we’re all different is a powerful thing. It promotes self-acceptance, self-confidence, and acceptance of others. Dating yourself may be both literal and figurative, but they both allow you to adore yourself as the goddess that you are!
Dating yourself literally
If you’re a busy person, date night can seem like a far away idea. However, there are so many ways to date yourself that don’t involve going out and spending money! Here’s some ideas for your next date with yourself:
– Make dinner at home and enjoy it on the patio while watching the sunset
– Take a bubble bath with candles lit all around you as music plays in the background
– Go grocery shopping without any distractions or interruptions from others who want attention from you
And there are countless other options – just use your imagination! These daily date nights will help remind you how special and loved by YOU that you are. It doesn’t have to be expensive – it just has to be done.
Dating yourself metaphorically
If date night seems like too much for you, date yourself by helping others! There are so many ways that we can all help and give back without having to spend a lot of time or money doing it. Here’s some ideas:
– Donate gently used clothes and non-perishable items to organizations such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army
– Take care of your local park by picking up trash, raking leaves in autumn, or other tasks that need tending during warmer seasons
– Volunteer at an animal shelter – both on site and from home (by fostering pets!)
These small acts will make a big impact on those around us while also allowing us to feel loved, appreciated and supported.
Dating yourself is the perfect way to remind yourself of how valuable you are on a daily basis! No matter if it’s date night or date day, take time out of your busy schedule for self-care that will show you just how special you are.
I hope these ideas inspire you and help you be a better version of yourself this week. Take care of yourself with some of these ideas for self care. Whether it’s taking time to cry, date yourself, or take care of houseplants; there are many ways to show yourself some love! If none of these ideas for self care sound good to you then try one thing which is different than what you normally do for self-care and a nice of cup of tea is always a good idea. You can always come back next week for more tips on how to treat your mind and body right and find more joy.
This week, I just want you to take care of yourself in whatever way feels good to you. It sounds so simple and easy but it’s not always the case. How have you done that in the past? What do your “self-care” rituals look like? Let me know!
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