Ten Daily Self-Care Activities

Self-care can involve any activities you use to better your mental health that do not harm yourself, others, or your environment. Some people partake in popular self-care techniques like mindfulness, while others might seek unique ways to relieve challenging emotions. Whether you’re living with stress or a mental health condition or have a desire to improve your self-care routine, there are hundreds of techniques you can consider. 

What is self-care? 

When you care for yourself on your own time, you practice self-care. Self-care can be practiced daily and may help you focus on personal growth and your path to emotional wellness. Emotional wellness activities might involve taking a walk or eating your favorite food for lunch. 

As much as you want to practice self-care, it may sometimes be overwhelming. You might already have a routine or activities you’ve used to improve your life but feel bored or unsatisfied. If that’s the case for you, there are a few unique ways you might care for yourself and others. You don’t have to “go all out” on self-care. Some people benefit from minor daily changes, like 10 minutes of meditation a day, which has been proven beneficial. 

Ten self-care activities for your mental health

Below are ten unique self-care activities to try to improve your mental health, self-esteem, or well-being on a daily basis. 

Give a gift

People often value generosity, which can be included in a self-care routine. Making a gift for yourself or someone you love is one way to practice this skill. You can gift yourself a new item of clothing or a favorite dessert to celebrate the steps you take to care for yourself each day. Reminding yourself that life is not necessarily about working to make money may help you reduce stress and appreciate all you do daily. 

Research has also shown that people who spend money or give gifts to others report more happiness than when spending money on themselves. In addition, you don’t necessarily have to spend money to give someone a gift. If you want to make someone’s day without spending money, consider writing them a letter and sending it with pressed flowers or your drawings. 

Society in the 21st century often focuses on electronic communications, including instant messaging and social media, to communicate with others immediately. Writing letters is rarer, and your friend may be surprised to see one in the mail. Gift-giving to yourself or others may increase moments of joy in your life.  

Take a walk

Consider taking a walk and enjoying the beauty of your natural surroundings. Walks are often therapeutic because they are not an extreme form of physical activity but can reset your nervous system. This low-intensity physical activity has proven effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety while lowering your blood pressure. 

A walk may be more available for some people to incorporate into a daily self-care routine than extensive exercise. You may be able to fit a stroll in during a busy day by walking to or from work or after your workday to reduce stress. Use this time to think about your day, your emotions, and any sensations in your body. Try to stay off your phone. If it helps, you might also listen to music that makes you reflect.  

Use a fidget toy 

Sensory stimulation, like using a fidget toy or stress ball for self-control, can be a form of self-care. If you find that certain situations or stimuli cause you to feel anxious or struggle to focus – self-care could mean having a safety object with you. It can be challenging to manage life’s stressors, but keeping your hands occupied may keep you on track. 

Anyone of any age can use fidgets. Fidgets often help adults cope with symptoms of conditions like anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism. If you are feeling nervous, it may help to have an item to hold, play with, or squeeze. Studies have found that these items can alleviate anxiety symptoms, improve focus, and instill a sense of calm. 

Exercise

One popular form of self-care that may improve physical health is exercise. Regular physical activity can enhance your personal growth, lower levels of stress hormones, and improve your mood. Multiple studies have found that exercise can relieve stress and anxiety. This decrease in negative emotions can be attributed to the added levels of endorphins and serotonin that exercising produces. These chemicals can improve mood and well-being.  

Exercise can relieve stress and anxiety due to physiological actions within the body and help people healthily distract themselves from daily stressors. When you exercise, you can focus solely on the physical movements and let go of any worries or stress until after the exercise. This active form of mindfulness is a healthy coping mechanism that frees you from external responsibilities for a moment. 

Whether you go to the gym or do physical activity at home, exercise may be incorporated into your daily self-care routine. Try to engage in different forms of exercise each day to keep you motivated. You can use a home elliptical machine or treadmill one day. You can practice yoga in a class or watch a guided video on another day. Physical activity has many health benefits, so test different exercises until you find one you enjoy. 

Keep a morning journal

Some people call a morning journal their “morning pages.” When you wake up in the morning, write a page or two of any thoughts that come up while eating breakfast. Releasing your initial daily thoughts may eliminate any emotions that might follow you throughout your day. In addition, it might be a way to slow down if you often find yourself getting preoccupied with rushing through your morning routine.

Self-care does not only involve physical activity; it is also a mental and emotional effort. It can be a way to practice mindfulness and connect with your inner child. To start your morning journal, consider writing three areas of your life you’re grateful for each day. Research shows that gratitude can improve one’s mental health, reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. 

Start a dream journal

Dream journaling is a reflective way of practicing self-care. A dream journal is a writing space where you can record your dreams, especially those that resonate upon awakening. You may notice several subconscious mysteries and recurring themes or patterns in your dreams. Keep a notebook beside the bed and record your dream the next day, writing each detail and feeling you can remember. If you write soon after awakening, you may remember more details.  

According to research, images in dreams can help people integrate emotions experienced in the waking hours with resolution and problem-solving. When you record your dreams, you may notice repetitive images or themes and relate them to what you are managing in your current life. Connecting these themes may help you reduce stress and identify areas for growth. You may also find comfort in recalling how your mind wanders to mysterious places while sleeping. 

If you see a therapist, you can bring your dream journal to sessions and discuss what you think the dreams mean. Some therapeutic modalities focus on dream interpretation, and understanding the nature of your dreams may improve your mental health.

Have a dance party by yourself

Dancing is a form of exercise and self-care. When you’ve had a stressful day, turn up your favorite music and dance alone. Having a dance party in your living room, kitchen, or bedroom can release endorphins and help you let go of your daily stressors. Dancing is a form of physical activity that may not seem like a monotonous workout and can connect you with your emotions and the feelings you get listening to music.  

When you have a dance party alone, try not to worry about whether anyone is watching. Your dance party is more about releasing pent-up energy and emotional distress and allowing yourself to be free and uninhibited momentarily. If you prefer dancing with others, you might benefit from attending a beginner’s class at a dance studio or an improvisation class.  

Take a nap

Some individuals may live hectic lives and forget to practice self-care. Ignoring self-care can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. One way to handle these challenges is by carving out time in the day to rest. Allow yourself to take a nap. Studies have shown that daytime naps may reduce fatigue and increase your ability to control emotions. 

A short nap that lasts from 15 to 20 minutes may positively affect a person’s cognitive functioning. Sleep, even for brief periods, helps the brain increase focus. You can feel rejuvenated and refreshed when you wake up from a short sleep. If you sleep in nature, like a wooded backyard, you may reap extra benefits from being in nature. If you want to nap but need to unwind first, run a warm bath or bubble bath before you sleep. 

Go for a drive

Driving for pleasure can be another form of self-care if you have a car. Consider taking a self-care day and enjoying leisurely travel around your area or to a nearby destination to value yourself and relax. If you don’t have a destination in mind, take a drive for fun. You can explore a part of town or the countryside you have never seen before. If you live in a city, you might drive out of the city limits to a natural setting to get fresh air.  

Driving can help you discover new locations. Some people find that driving for fun clears their heads, especially when spending time in nature. You can also listen to music or a podcast to sing or take your mind off stressful thoughts about work, family matters, or another challenge. Driving can be a way to spend quality time with yourself and be in the present. 

See a professional 

If trying to work through life’s stressors with self-care is not working, consider making an appointment with a mental health therapist. Talking to a counselor can offer a safe space to develop strategies that build resilience against the negative impacts of stress. In addition, a therapist can offer insight and clarity that may help you come up with tangible solutions to overwhelming situations. 

If you find it challenging to manage new appointments, commutes, and the inconvenience of making time for therapy, you might also consider online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Several studies have found online treatment as effective as in-person therapy and sometimes more beneficial due to flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Internet-based treatment may be more convenient for people who cannot find mental health support due to limited psychotherapy resources, a rural or isolated location, and personal limitations.