51 Self-Care Ideas to Reset
By Marnie Kunz, NASM-certified trainer
If you need to unwind, try these self-care ideas to help you reset. Whether you’ve been engulfed in work non-stop or are going through a life transition, these tips will help you de-stress and slow down to care for your wellbeing. Even if you don’t feel stressed, regular self-care is an excellent way to improve your health. Try to do at least one small self-care item a day.
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care is basically the act of caring for your needs. According to the Global Self-Care Federation, self-care is the practice of looking after your own health using the knowledge and information available to you. It’s a process that empowers you to take care of your health, in collaboration with medical and social care professionals as needed. Trying some self-care ideas is a great way to complement other wellness activities like seeing a therapist and following a physical fitness program.
Benefits of Self-Care
There are many mental and physical benefits of practicing self-care. Engaging in a self-care routine can reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, decrease symptoms of stress, improve concentration, lessen frustration and anger, boost happiness, and improve energy, according to Southern New Hampshire University. The university also notes that self-care has been clinically proven to improve physical health and reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
How to Practice Self-Care
When you feel that you need a break or reset in your life, try some self-care for a refreshed perspective and reset. Self-care is not one-size-fits-all so it looks different for each person. There are many forms of self-care.
This is my list of self-care ideas but you can add your own and experiment. Pick and choose the self-care tips that work best for you and combine different practices to create a program that helps boost your well-being.
Try to set aside regular time to practice self-care such as one day every week or a few minutes every day. Sundays are a popular time for self-care (check out more ways to participate in self-care Sundays here). You can also download our free Self-Care Plan template to help you come up with your own personalized weekly self-care plan.
Self-Care Ideas to Try
Talk to a friend. Catch up with a good friend in person or via the phone.
Go outside. Getting outdoors will boost your mood and offer a slice of calm.
Unplug. Take an hour or a day and unplug from your devices. See our mental health tips for social media for more assistance with unplugging.
Read a book. This is one of my favorite ways to relax. Lose yourself in reading a great book or listening to an audiobook. Check out the best running books to get inspired for book ideas.
Create art. Paint, draw, or make pottery. Find inspiration in a new form of art you haven't tried or practice a form you love.
Write. Do some creative writing or journaling.
Take a hike. Enjoy the great outdoors with a hike in a scenic park.
Play with a pet. Unwind with your pet and have fun with some playtime.
Listen to music. Turn on a playlist you love.
Take a bath. Immerse yourself in a serene soak. Bubble baths are an invigorating way to de-stress and unwind.
Do a spa day. Have an at-home spa day with a facial, bath, and nail grooming.
Dance. Turn on your favorite dance music and enjoy moving to it!
Watch the sun set or rise. Go outside and savor the sun rising or setting.
Go for a stroll. Take a walk with no goal, just see where you end up.
Sip some coffee or tea. Make a hot drink you love and enjoy.
Run (or do another movement you love).
Cook a healthy meal. Try one of our healthy recipes or cook up your own faves.
Get a haircut. Get a trim and give your tresses some TLC.
Practice yoga. Do some yoga.
Watch a favorite movie or show. Choose one that is inspiring to you.
Do a manicure at home.
Enjoy a pedicure and give your feet some love.
Order your favorite meal from a restaurant or delivery service. Or if you enjoy cooking, bake your own healthy meal or snacks.
Make a smoothie. Check out our protein smoothie recipes for inspo.
Listen to a favorite podcast or check out one of these inspiring podcasts.
Take a nap. Catch some extra snooze time with a nap.
Get a massage and feel your stress melt away.
Stretch. Do some light stretching and loosen tight muscles.
Practice deep breathing. Try meditation or some deep breathing exercises.
Light some candles and create a calming atmosphere.
Do a digital detox and take a break from the virtual world.
Learn something new. Take a class or pull up an online video to learn something you’ve never tried before.
Make a collage or vision board.
Organize your space and get rid of clutter that’s been weighing you down.
Clean out your email inbox and say goodbye to digital trash.
Write 5 things you’re thankful for to savor the good things in your life.
Indulge in a face mask and give your skin some love.
Donate clothes you no longer wear.
Meal prep for the week. Learn how to meal prep.
Turn off your devices for an hour before bed.
Get cozy with a weighted blanket.
Cuddle with a pet.
Recycle old papers you don’t need.
Make infused water by adding fresh fruit to your water.
Look at the stars on a clear night.
Do some crafts like knitting or sewing.
Go to a museum exhibit you’ve been wanting to see.
Write a letter to an old friend and express your gratitude.
Garden and enjoy being in nature.
Try a new restaurant and order a dish you’ve never eaten.
Sleep in late and enjoy lounging in bed.
Note if you feel overwhelmed by negative emotions, there are many professional counselors available to offer professional help. Don't be afraid to seek mental health care to boost your well-being and quality of life.
If you need help with physical self-care, check out the Runstreet Training Center for training plans and programs to help you get active and incorporate more movement into your daily life. Moving more is one of the physical types of self-care that can help improve your health in different areas of your life.
What are your favorite self-care ideas? Add your own to the list or create a collage with your own self-care inspiration. Comment below with your fave ways to add self-care to your daily routine or tag @Runstreet on Instagram to share your wellness journey. Take care, and enjoy your self-care activities.
Related Posts: Mental Health Tips for Social Media, 10 Self-Care Tips for Runners
Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified personal trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Marnie likes helping people get and stay active to enjoy a better quality of life. When she’s not doing fitness things, Marnie enjoys exploring with her dog, a mischievous rescue Akita.
