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In this post, you will find a list of 100 self-care ideas and fun seasonal activities for all year round. But first things first, what exactly is self-care and why is it important?
What is self-care?
Self-care is a practice where one intentionally dedicates time to prioritising well-being. It is important to note that the act of self-care looks different for everyone! The activities and behaviours involved in self-care focus mainly on taking care of the mind, body and for some, even spiritual wellness.
Self-care is not always bubble baths and face masks either. However, these little rituals are definitely a personal go-to on a self-care day for myself! Self-care can look like doing some simple skin care or reminding yourself to eat a good meal on those harder days. Sometimes, self-care may be choosing to book a healthcare appointment to check up on your physical health. On other days, a 5-10 minute walk, a nap or catching up with friends may be the self-care you truly need.
What does self-care look like to you?
The benefits of self-care
1. Improved mental health
The practice of self-care has many benefits, especially when it comes to mental health. By taking the time to check in with yourself and ask ‘How am I doing mentally?’ and ‘What do I need at this moment to feel better?’, you are prioritising yourself and giving yourself the space (and grace) to tend to your mental, emotional and physical needs. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup! Sometimes, we all need a self-care day for our mental health.
Engaging in balanced self-care serves as a healthy source of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain and is otherwise commonly known as one of the four ‘feel good’ hormones which are directly linked to our mood and overall well-being.
Dopamine is known to be important for reinforcement and motivation of actions. When we do something pleasurable (such as exercise, listening to music or eating a food craving), we get a hit of dopamine which is what causes us to want to do something again.
It is said that Low levels of dopamine are linked to depression, fatigue, lack of motivation and a poor ability to focus. The symptoms of high levels of dopamine include anxiety, aggression, poor sleep and more.
As previously mentioned, a balanced self-care practice allows us to get healthy hits of dopamine from good, worthwhile sources.
Healthy sources of dopamine include:
- Celebrating small wins (such as practising gratitude or ticking things off of your to-do-list)
- Getting direct sunlight
- Exercise
- Cold showers
- Dopamine-boosting foods (such as dark chocolate)
- Trying a new activity
Unhealthy sources of dopamine include:
- Excessive scrolling on social media
- Gossiping
- Drugs
- Excessive video game consumption
- Gambling
- Junk food
What are your favourite mental health day activities and self-care rituals?
2. Promotes relaxation
The act of self-care promotes relaxation and induces feelings of calmness. Sometimes, pencilling in a relaxing self-care day into your schedule is needed!
Self-care that involves the 5 senses (touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing) is great for grounding us as activities involving our senses pull us into the present moment. When we are present in the moment, it is easier to observe our thoughts and feelings rather than being fully immersed in them and solely identifying as them. This is why popular embodiment practices in self-care such as mindful stretching or self-massage are so effective as they allow us to become present and calm.
3. Improved physical health
Self-care that focuses on the body such as exercise, eating nourishing foods and getting enough sunlight is extremely important when it comes to our overall health and ensuring that the body is functioning in a balanced way. Of course, caring for your physical health positively impacts your mental health too.
Self-care drastically reduces stress levels which contributes to better physical health. When engaging in self-care, activities such as meditation, exercise or even limiting blue light exposure reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.
Signs of excess cortisol include:
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Acne
- Bloating
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Anxiety
4. Customisable & Accessible
Self-care can be tailored to meet an individual’s needs! Sometimes, our mental and physical health can limit us in what we can do. For example, when dealing with poor mental health, the hiking or ‘everything shower’ types of self-care might not feel on the cards 100% of the time. In some cases, illness or chronic pain can impact what one is able to do at certain points.
Sometimes, even the season that we are in can also play a part in what self-care activities we can do or what we feel like doing. For example, rainy days for most could look like spending time inside engaging in fun indoor activities. Or perhaps summertime may involve wanting to spend more time outdoors, rather than indoors.
By finding what self-care activities work for you, you are already halfway there in taking a holistic and well-rounded approach to self-care.
5. Inner child healing
Inner child work can be complex and painful at times. Self-care allows us to connect with our inner child and show up for them, whether that be through prioritising play, setting boundaries, checking in with how we really feel or engaging in activities from childhood such as painting, drawing or perhaps watching old shows!
When practising shadow work (whether that be independently or in therapy), it is important to incorporate self-care alongside it to ensure balance.
100 Seasonal self-care ideas for all year round
Below you will find 25 self-care ideas and activities for each season of the year.
For each season, the more typical kinds of everyday wellness rituals are included alongside themed seasonal activities. Seasonal self-care allows us to move with the natural flow of the seasons. For example, winter self-care can look like slowing down, resting and nourishing our body with warmer meals whereas summer self-care may look like spending more time outside and perhaps eating fresh, light meals.
What are some examples of your favourite seasonal self-care activities?
25 Spring self-care ideas
1. Do a hair mask.
2. Make a playlist of your favourite songs.
3. Buy your favourite drink at a local coffee spot.
4. Dedicate some time to spring cleaning.
5. Start a new hobby.
6. Plan a spring-themed outfit that makes you feel good.
7. Try a new make-up look.
8. Create a DIY affirmation deck.
9. Buy yourself a bunch of your favourite flowers.
10. Start a journal.
11. Have a movie night with your loved ones.
12. Try a 5-minute meditation.
13. Add sticky notes with affirmations or motivational messages to your mirror.
14. Read a book.
15. Do some digital spring cleaning.
16. Paint your nails with your favourite nail polish colour.
17. Set goals for the summer season.
18. Cook your favourite meal.
19. Write down 5 things that you’re grateful for.
RELATED: 10 Gratitude Journal Prompts For A Rainy Day
20. Go on a spring walk in a cosy outfit.
21. Spend quality time with a pet.
22. Do a 5-10 minute Pilates workout.
23. Have a digital detox.
24. Colour in.
25. Find a new place to take a walk.
25 Summer self-care ideas
1. Make a playlist inspired by summer.
2. Make a fruit salad.
3. Buy a summer-themed drink.
4. Cloudgaze.
5. Massage your face with an ice roller.
6. Write down 5 things you like about yourself.
7. Sunbathe for 10-15 minutes.
8. Have a beach trip with loved ones.
9. Read your favourite book in the sun.
10. Have a cool shower.
11. Recite summer-inspired affirmations.
12. Paint in your backyard.
13. Open some windows and air out your home.
14. Hug a tree.
15. Watch the sunset.
16. Try a 10-minute yoga routine.
17. Change your bedding to fresh, light sheets.
18. Drink a cold glass of water.
19. Make a summer-themed meal.
20. Meditate sitting on grass.
21. Take a walk at your favourite local scenic spot.
22. Walk along the beach and collect sea shells.
23. Make a daisy chain.
24. Set goals for autumn.
25. Make a summer bucket list with your favourite activities and places.
25 Autumn self-care ideas
1. Have a Halloween-themed movie marathon.
2. Do a face mask.
3. Make a DIY dried orange garland.
4. Decorate your wall with pictures that make you happy.
5. Make an autumn-themed bucket list.
6. Dance to your favourite songs.
7. Make a DIY pumpkin spice latte.
8. Journal with self-love prompts.
9. Try a new hairstyle.
10. Take an autumn walk.
11. Make a comfort meal for yourself.
12. Create an autumn playlist.
13. Carve a pumpkin.
14. Invite loved ones over to watch a movie.
15. Start a photo album.
16. Buy an autumn-themed drink.
17. Light a candle.
18. Set winter goals.
19. Do a 10-minute workout.
20. Window shop for Halloween decorations.
21. Have an everything shower.
22. Diffuse an autumnal oil blend.
23. Start to form a new healthy habit.
24. Watch a favourite show from your childhood.
25. Start a jar of happy memories to add to.
25 Winter self-care ideas
1. Make a hot chocolate.
2. Make a DIY decoration for the Christmas holidays.
3. Have a bubble bath.
5. Bake cookies.
6. Do a 5-minute stretch routine.
7. Set goals for the new year.
8. Decorate the Christmas tree.
9. Do a guided meditation for self-love.
10. Set a budget and buy yourself a gift.
11. Plan a winter-themed date with a loved one.
12. Make a winter playlist.
13. Make a vision board for the new year.
14. Create a winter-themed outfit
15. Write down 5 positive memories.
16. Change bed sheets to cosy sheets.
17. Play outside in the snow.
18. Watch your favourite Christmas movie.
19. Write down 5 things that positively impacted your week.
20. Make a self-care basket for yourself.
21. Take a nap.
22. Tidy your bedroom.
23. Take a warm shower.
24. Call a loved one.
25. Listen to your favourite album.
Pin 100 seasonal self-care ideas for later!
