17 Self-Care Ideas You’ll (Actually) Want to Do
You’re probably tired of hearing about self-care ideas like “go for a walk,” and honestly, I get it. It’s something you already know to do, and while these cliche tips are good for you, there are so many other ways to take care of yourself.
Or there are ways of making the tips you’ve already heard so much more appealing (and easier). The idea is to actually make sure you practice self-care, not just accumulate a list you’ll never accomplish. It’s easy not to feel like doing things to take care of yourself, but that just means you need to find ways to make it more rewarding and doable.
And if you’re like me, you’ve probably had a lot of practice grabbing your phone to scroll instead of doing something for your mental or physical health. But thankfully, I’ve also found ways to get beyond this and make self-care activities a whole lot more appealing. Because when you can make taking care of yourself something you’ll actually want to do, then that’s when you’ll start to see small changes become more considerable life transformations.
17 Ideas for Self-Care You Can Start Today
I want to get beyond giving simple ideas like “meditate!” I want to get you to a place where you’re (gladly) practicing self-care.
This is about improving your life, so let’s make it much more enjoyable.
1. Wholesome Channels & Accounts
I cannot express how much this one works, and yes, it’s a real self-care idea.
YouTube, TikTok, and other spaces are either filled with mild to extreme negativity or a lot of content you’ll forget.
But I’ve found that subscribing to enjoyable channels and accounts that make me feel relaxed and even safe actually helps.
I look forward to watching that one Youtuber after dinner or seeing certain people in my TikTok feed that I genuinely like.
If you’re going to be on social media, it might as well be filled up with people who are going to help your mental health, not take from it.
2. Creating the Perfect Outdoor Experience
Going outdoors has been shown to help mental health, but relaxing inside and not having to get ready to leave can feel a lot better.
If you want to change this, you need to make going outside feel like a reward—an event you look forward to.
So here’s how you make going outside work for you:
- List the best spots to relax near you (or explore).
- Prep your favorite drink and snacks, or stop by a cafe and get something to-go.
- Pack a blanket or folding chair.
- Grab books, download podcasts, or invite a friend to join you.
- Have a playlist of your favorite music to relax to while outside.
Lastly, if there are days when you want to do more than sit in scenic areas, find outdoor markets and festivals, ask a friend to pick an activity to do together, or try a new eatery.
There are so many options!
3. Schedule Time to Hangout With Someone (Today)
I’m not saying you must hang out with them today, but you should schedule a hangout.
If you put it off for tomorrow, you might get busy and forget about it.
Also, when you plan to hang out with a friend, you have something to look forward to, making each day much more enjoyable.
Side Note: Try doing a hangout at least once a week. That way, you care for your mental health by getting out and having fun.
4. Figure Out Healthy Recipes That Work for You
“Food is the medicine you take three times a day.” – Mila Magnani
Instead of telling you, “Make sure you eat healthy meals three times daily!” I’m gonna say yes, do that, but also create a list on your phone or computer of recipes to try that you’d wanna eat.
You want to make this a long list of dishes you can easily fall back on.
Also, you get extra points if they’re quick and easy meals, so you won’t be tempted to get takeout or eat something unhealthy at home.
5. Do Something Simple to Make Showers & Baths More Special
Whether you’re a shower or bath person, find ways to make it more relaxing and enjoyable.
I know many people who say, “Have an at-home spa day!” But why not just make almost every time you step into the shower kind of special?
Here Are Some Quick Ideas:
- Have a relaxing candle(s).
- Have something hot waiting for you after you get out.
- Spray a pleasant scent onto your towels.
- Install some accent lighting.
- Get some shampoo or soaps that are just a bit nicer than your usual.
6. Create a Morning Ritual That Serves You
You don’t have to get up at 5 AM, drink a medicinal green smoothie, skip breakfast, and go jogging to do self-care.
I mean, you can, but there are other ways to create mornings you’ll wanna wake up to.
So, for instance:
- You can wake up just 30 minutes earlier.
- Have a healthy but comforting drink you enjoy (matcha latte?).
- Sit in the morning sunlight with said drink.
- Create a quick, tasty, and healthy breakfast you’ll wanna eat.
- Take a few minutes to relax and do some positive affirmations.
- Put some pleasant music on as you work on one task you’d typically put off for later (this is great, so you’re not stressing about it throughout the day).
7. Drink Water Daily the Easy Way
Since you already know you need to drink a certain amount of water daily, why not just get a water bottle big enough to meet this daily goal?
That way, you know you’re getting the right amount, and it makes things simpler for you.
How Much You’ll Need:
According to the National Academy of Medicine, women need 9 cups daily (72 oz.), and men need 13 cups daily (104 oz.).
8. Find One Small Task for One Small Goal
Start simple and find one small thing you can do each week for one small goal.
This will help you get a bit closer than if you hadn’t done anything. It’s also a great, non-intimidating way to encourage yourself and see yourself move towards a change you’ve been wanting.
Lastly, it might motivate you to do more than you would have and go after other goals.
Small steps can lead to more significant life changes.
9. Create a “You Space”
Find a space in your home that is a “you space.”
You can designate it for journaling, relaxing, art, or anything else that makes this spot special to you.
Then, organize it, buy what you might need to make it your space, and use it as much as you want. It’s that simple and a small way to enjoy your days just a bit more.
10. Flowers
Quick and simple, buy some flowers.
It’s an easy self-care idea since a study by the National Library of Medicine showed that flowers (and many plants) help us de-stress and relax.
11. Find One Friend to Help This Week
I kid you not; this works.
Last year, I helped a friend declutter a space in her home that was stressing her out.
She’s very busy and needed someone to help make the process a bit easier.
I found that she was touched and pretty happy when I helped her, which made me happy.
I honestly didn’t expect helping my friend out to help my mental health as well. It was a great way to practice self-care.
12. Make Pampering Something You’ll Do
It’s easy to think, “Yes, I want to pamper myself and care for my skin, hair, etc.” But scrolling on TikTok is a lot more immediately gratifying.
It’s easy not to feel like doing things to take care of yourself, but that means you need to find ways to make it more rewarding.
So Here Are Some Ways You Can Do Just That:
- Buy that aesthetically pleasing bottle of lotion and put it in an area where you’ll easily see and use it.
- Get some shampoo and conditioner that’s sulfate and paraben-free (a.k.a. Less hair damage)
- Grab a body scrub with a nice scent.
- If you don’t want to commit to a 40-step Korean skincare regime, just get a good quality face wash and moisturizer you like.
13. Plan a Small Getaway
This idea is another simple but really fun tip.
Find a cute Airbnb or bed and breakfast in the city over (or the city you live in), and book a stay for a night or two. Then, find fun things to do in the area.
Or stay at a friend’s place for the weekend, hang out, and do fun outings.
You don’t need to buy a $2,500 round-trip ticket to Thailand to have a getaway.
14. Create a “Try Right Away” Pinterest Board
You know how when you’re on Pinterest, you’ll save a thousand ideas and try basically none of them?
Well, I found a way to fix this. You can create a board (secret or public) and name it something like “Try Right Away” or “Try This Month.”
Then, create subcategories on the board for things to do immediately.
I’ve done this and have found an uptick in my mental health since I started.
I’m suddenly creating amazing recipes I usually would have saved and forgotten, trying cute hairstyles that have leveled up my look, and more.
Creating this board is a game-changer.
15. Create a Coffee Ritual
You know those aesthetically pleasing Instagram or Tiktok photos and videos of people having their coffee?
Try creating your own weekly (or however often you want to repeat it) ritual for a relaxing coffee moment.
Here’s What You Can Do:
- Set a time for your coffee ritual.
- Get a French press or something else you know will easily make good coffee.
- Get your favorite flavors, sweeteners, or anything else for your perfect cup of coffee.
- Create a playlist of music you think will be perfect for this.
- Buy some baked goods, or make your own that day or the night before.
- Candles if you’re a candle person.
- Then… relax. Read, watch something you’ve been putting off, enjoy the sunlight; it’s up to you.
16. Meetup With a Supportive Friend
It’s great to relax and hang out with a close friend, but it’s even better if they can support you.
So find a friend willing to do weekly meetups, talk about life, hang out, but also talk about the important topics.
If there are things you want to change, or goals you want to meet, then you need support.
You need a friend willing to listen, offer help and advice, and share where they need support.
This way, you don’t feel alone, and you might be able to see those positive changes faster.
17. End of Day Gratitude List
Take just 5 minutes to create a quick list of good small (and big) moments in your day.
So many times, we overlook things that need to be appreciated.
It might also make you feel a lot better when you wake up the next day and motivate you to work on your goals.
Lastly, it’s a great way to be more grateful and look for the good in daily life.
Taking Care of You is The Best Investment You’ll Ever Make
I know you’re busy, and I understand that the small things add up.
But I promise you that when you take the time to take care of yourself, you’ll love your life so much more.
You’ll have more energy, motivation, and positivity in moving towards goals and creating a world you want to be in.
So try incorporating just a few of the self-care ideas above into your daily life and see how things start to change.
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