Do you ever find yourself wondering, why is self care important? Maybe you ask yourself – how do can I find time to add self care to my routine? If you’ve ever wanted to add more self care to your life but haven’t had the time or resources, we have a perfect idea – create a self care jar!
This list is wonderful because you can print out these ideas, put them in a DIY self car jar and when you’re ready for an activity, you can pull one of these ideas! Our favorite way to create a self care jar is to put all of our ideas in a Mason Jar (upcycled, of course!).
Self care can show up in many different forms and can mean many different things to people. For some, it might be cleaning and for others, DIY self care looks like spending a day in nature.
While self care may show up in the form of different activities, the definition is consistent for most. Self-care has been defined as the process of taking care of oneself with behaviors that promote health and active management of illness when it occurs. Individuals engage in some form of self-care daily with food choices, exercise, sleep, and dental care (Wikipedia).
Now that we have covered the meaning of self care, let’s dive into the different types of self care.
What Are the Different Types of Self Care?
There are a few different types of self care. And we love the infographic below but we also want to elaborate. These categories will help you come up with ideas that you can add to your self care jar.
Mental Self Care: Activities that will activate your brain and calm your mind
Physical Self Care: You get your body moving, and your blood flowing and you care for your physical body
Emotional Self Care: Identifying your emotional needs, honoring them, and embracing them
Spiritual Self Care: These activities align you with your soul and nature
Social Self Care: Time and activities spent connecting with loved ones and communities
Practical Self Care: To-do lists, basic chores, and everyday responsibilities
Professional Self Care: Spending time on activities to grow your career and advance your skillset
With so many different self care categories, hopefully, you’ll find some activities that fit your lifestyle! Additionally, you may learn about a new form of self care. All in all, practicing self care should be a positive experience and to ensure that you’re feeling confident about self care, we also wanted to discuss the misconceptions of self care.
Breaking Down the Misconceptions of Self Care
Have you ever heard someone say that self care is selfish? Some people might think that self care is selfish but we have to disagree.
Self care is taking care of yourself so you can be in a happy, loving place where you have high self-esteem and the ability to give your time and love to others.
If you spend all your time on others, you have less time to spend on yourself and you usually feel exhausted. You might stop taking care of your self and your mental health may falter.
Taking care of yourself first allows you to be the best version of yourself, your “tru” self!
It’s with a solid self care practice that you can show up for others, yourself, and live a fulfilling life.
Self Care Jar Ideas For Every Budget
The next barrier to self care is sometimes the cost of a self care activity. If you want to spend some time on self care, you actually don’t have to spend any money at all. Yes, most self care activities cost money but there are many that do not cost anything.
We’ve compiled a list of DIY self care ideas, simple and free self care ideas, and other ideas that might require some more time commitment. Feel free to download our PDF of all our self care ideas, print them out, and put them in your Self Care Jar!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
73 Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank
1. Create a Bucket list
2. Go outside and spend 20 minutes in nature
3. Call a loved one and connect with them
4. Listen to a podcast or audiobook – there are endless podcasts that we love!
5. Spend time writing out your goals for the next month. Spend time listing out the steps that you’ll take to accomplish these goals.
6. Try a digital detox. Ditch your phone and practice being present for a few hours!
7. Stretch – try stretching in the morning and before bed!
8. Listen to your favorite song and dance it out!
9. Write a gratitude list. List out ten different things you’re grateful for and keep this close by if you have a rough day. If you’re looking for one place to list your self care activities, here’s one of our favorite journals!
10. Wash your sheets, pillows, and other bedding.
11. Tidy up your room and house – focus on decluttering your space for ultimate mental clarity.
12. Light some candles and set the mood – enjoy the light and create a cozy space.
13. Go for your favorite drive! Is there a scenic drive near you that brings you joy?
14. Meditate – take 5-10 minutes out of your day to meditate and be mindful.
15. Create a vision board! You can create one on Pinterest or actually make a physical board with magazines.
16. Watch a funny movie or a short funny video on YouTube.
17. Paint, draw, or do something else creative with vibrant colors, pens, or markers.
18. Prioritize hydrating today! If you’re looking to add some extra flavor to your water, check out our fruit-infused water recipes here!
19. Clean up your inbox! This might be a funny one but by unsubscribing from all the emails that clutter your inbox, you’ll feel better.
20. Use some positive self-love affirmations. Here is a list of over 30 that we love!
21. Clean out your purse or backpack. You never know what you’ll find and you’ll feel better after.
22. Meal Prep – By cooking more food in one time period, you’ll free up your calendar for other activities. Here’s a free meal prep printable.
23. Upcycle. Do you have an old mason jar lying around? Put some paint on it and turn it into a flower vase! Or better yet, use it as your self-care jar for self-care activities and ideas.
24. Take a very long shower or bath. Set the scene – use a bath bomb, flower petals, candles, and music.
25. Clean up your phone – check all notifications and clear out your social media feed. Unfollowing people who do not bring joy to your life is a beneficial activity.
26. Re-read your favorite book or pick up a new one that you’ve been interested in reading. If you’re looking for a suggestion, we love Atomic Habits.
27. Write a letter about your future self. What are they like, what do they do for work, how do they dress, who is in their circle?
28. Write a positive Yelp review for 3 small business owners!
29. Share some positivity and love – send a kind message to a few of your friends and let them know how much they mean to you.
30. Clean your makeup brushes and tidy up your toiletries.
31. Foam roll or give yourself a massage.
32. Catch a sunrise or a sunset.
33. Spend time planning ahead for the week. Take a look at your calendar, plan things out and block time for self-care.
34. Try out a new makeup look or a unique hairstyle – Pinterest has great resources for this!
35. Go hiking – this doesn’t have to be an intense hike, even something like a 1-2 mile hike is a great option.
36. Use a jade roller, practice gua sha, or do some facial yoga.
37. Bake yourself a fun treat. Try something that you’ve never had before.
38. Let things go. Write down all your limiting beliefs and let them go – tear up the paper or burn it (responsibly).
39. Practice using positive self-talk for the entire day. If you have a bad feeling about yourself, stop yourself immediately and change your tone.
40. Try a puzzle, sudoku, or another game that you think is fun.
41. Try a DIY homemade hair mask or a DIY face mask!
42. Set up a clothing swap with your friends. This is a fun and free event where you invite friends over and everyone brings 1-2 clothing items they no longer wear. At the end of the night, you have a new clothing item and you’ve purged something you no longer wear.
43. Check out your birth chart – this is always a fun and free exercise.
44. Give yourself ten compliments – none of these can be about your physical appearance.
45. Try some breath work – even 2 minutes can be beneficial.
46. Put on an outfit you’re hesitant to wear in public and wear it the entire day – take a fashion risk.
47. Read some motivational questions or check out motivational youtube videos.
48. Host a virtual happy hour with your friends.
49. Work on something that you’re not very good at yet – maybe it’s public speaking, cooking, or singing.
50. Eat in season! Explore produce and veggies in season and have fun adding them to your meals (they will taste the best and be less expensive).
51. Learn how to pay attention to your emotions and feel comfortable with them. Allowing yourself to feel is a major act of self-care. If you’re not ignoring emotions, you can process them quickly and feel better soon.
52. Do not eat processed or fried foods for an entire day (or week if you can).
53. Schedule that physical or doctor’s appointment – this might sound like a funny one but take care of your body!
54. Stop overcommitting to things – practice setting boundaries and make realistic commitments.
55. If you’re feeling anxious, practice EFT Tapping
56. Write a journal entry about how you’d live your life if you didn’t care about what people thought and then try to find ways that you can do that.
57. Write a thank you note to someone who has dramatically impacted your life.
58. Spend time with a furry friend. If you don’t have one, volunteer at a local animal shelter or hang out with a friend who has a pet.
59. Watch some ASMR Videos.
60. Start a bedtime ritual and practice good sleep hygiene.
61. Look through old photos. If you feel inclined, print them out.
62. Pilates, yoga, cycle, run – get active, do at least 45 minutes of vigorous exercise.
63. Yell out some cuss words (not around people) until you feel content.
64. Exfoliate your entire body then use lotion or body oil after your shower/bath – do not skimp on this!
65. Smile at all the strangers you encounter today and try to be that friendly stranger.
66. Plan a rest day. Take a nap, or have a lazy Netflix day.
67. Start celebrating a small win every day. Even a small win should be celebrated.
68. Learn about your love language – do some research and figure out what love languages suit you best.
69. Practice forgiveness. Start forgiving yourself for things that have happened in the past.
70. Start celebrating your half-birthday. When was the last time you did this?!
71. Do not obsess about calories or the scale. Practice eating healthy and staying focused on eating enough fruits and veggies.
72. Accept compliments. If someone gives you a compliment, learn to accept it!
73. Make it a habit to tell the people you love that you love them.
38 Ideas That Aren’t Free But Definitely Worth It
- Get a massage or facial.
- Buy yourself some flowers or chocolates.
- If it’s fall or winter, buy yourself a warm blanket and fuzzy socks. If it’s summer or spring, splurge on a dress/outfit that makes you feel sexy!
- Set up a girl’s night out. Go get wine or go grab dinner.
- Buy some nice cheese, chocolates, and fruits, and make yourself a charcuterie board.
- Pick up some expensive candles that you wouldn’t buy regularly.
- Splurge on great skin care. There are a few items we love but treat yourself and your skin!
- Take a workout class you usually wouldn’t – maybe it’s a strip tease/pole dancing class or perhaps it’s just a drop-in hot yoga session.
- Grab yourself a nice cup of coffee at a local coffee shop and spend time reading a book outside.
- Take yourself on a date – grab your favorite lunch and ditch your phone for a few hours.
- Get your Nails done – a manicure or pedicure
- Donate to a charity of your choice!
- Support a small business. Buy something cute from a small business and then promote the business shop on social media.
- Purchase some sexy lingerie that makes you feel empowered.
- Try an adult coloring book. If you aren’t naturally drawn to painting or drawing, a coloring book is always fun!
- Get your hair blown out! You’ll be feeling like a new person once you get your hair done!
- Try a staycation. Spend a day or two at a local hotel to explore the pool and the room service menu.
- Take a friend or a loved one out for a fun activity – bowling, mini-golfing, or a wine & paint night.
- Treat yourself to a trip to Target – you can spend hours in here 🙂
- Go to a local thrift shop, see if there are any fun finds and maybe try to upcycle an item.
- Purchase a pretty journal or planner. We love these with these fun pens!
- Take a course through coursera or teachable.
- Get your car washed and detailed.
- Get Your house cleaned while you try out one of these other self care activities
- Outsource another task – maybe you get groceries delivered or you use a service to complete a task.
- Plant a garden – take a trip to a local nursery and plant beautiful plants outside your home!
- Go to a concert, check out an art gallery, or go to a live comedy show.
- Get your teeth whitened – who doesn’t love a bright smile?
- Schedule a therapy session. If there’s something you’ve been dealing with or you just need to vent, it’s never a bad idea.
- Go to Groupon and try something that you’ve never done before.
- Buy a polaroid camera and start to document your life through those photos.
- Start a restaurant club with your friends or partner. Every month try out a new restaurant that you’ve never had.
- Buy your produce from a local farmers market – it’s always an added perk if there’s live music there.
- Buy the collagen.
- Book a professional photo shoot – you can have a fun photoshoot with your friends, loved ones, or even your pets!
- Book a floatation therapy session (aka sensory deprivation).
- Try an acupuncture or cupping session.
- Send flowers to someone you love and write them a kind letter.
- Bonus – make someone else a self-care jar!
If You’re Reading This, It’s Time to Practice Self Care!
Here is our extended list that can be printed out, cut, and placed in a DIY self care jar
Additionally, we also recommend this awesome minimalist self care planner that is found on etsy: click here to see!
As always, thanks for stopping by! We hope you enjoy these self care activities and we appreciate your support!
xx,
T&W
9 comments
I love the idea of a self love jar, so many great ideas! I’m just doing a 30 day yoga challenge but I’ve never done facial yoga, sounds fun 🙂
I never thought about the different types of self-care. As someone with executive dysfunction issues some of these areas are harder for me to do. The list you have is very practical though, and I think I could do a few of those things. Thank-you for writing this article!
some very good tips thanks for sharing these
Really great post and informative on new ideas of self care. A new year is the perfect time to start some of these projects. Thanks for the great ideas!
So many good ideas here! Thanks for sharing this list 🙂
Oh my goodness, so many amazing self-care ideas!! I love the idea of a self-care jar and just might implement this for myself. Thanks for the inspiration!
These are great tips and ideas for self especially now that we are starting the year, one should emphasize taking care of themselves. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a pretty extensive list of self-care tips. Probably might try some of these.
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