100 Simple Ways to Practice Self Care

Autumn is officially here and with it welcomes a season of all things cozy. As we start to transition out of the wild summer months and into a time of year that brings shorter days, cool weather and more time spent at home with loved ones — this is a great opportunity to add a little more self care into our routines. Making the art of “hygge” (cozy wellbeing) and self care a priority right now can be especially helpful, since Fall is a precursor to the hectic holiday season.

Although the online version of self care has become somewhat synonymous with long baths, expensive skin care routines and wellness retreats, it really doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. There are so many beautiful ways to prioritize your wellbeing that won’t break the bank or require you to block off too much time out of your schedule.

At the end of the day, practicing self care should be accessible and something that makes you feel better. Whether it’s emotional, physical or spiritual, the type of care you choose to provide yourself can change based on what you need most or the time you have alloted for yourself at any given point of the day.

In case you’re at a loss of where to get started, I’ve compiled a list of 100 different ways to practice self care below. So grab a cup of coffee, cozy up with a blanket and grab a pen and paper to write out whichever ones speak most to you right now. I hope you find this to be a helpful resource for any time when you need to take a pause and spend a moment to yourself.

1. Wake up early and watch the sunrise
2. Read a new book
3. Light your favorite candle
4. Get up and move your body (here are 30 ways to add more movement into your day)
5. Bake your favorite decadent dessert
6. Apply a face mask
7. Color in a coloring book
8. Try a 15 min meditation
9. Go to a yoga class
10. Rewatch your favorite movie or tv show
11. Get extra cozy with soft loungewear and a blanket
12. Buy yourself some flowers
13. Cuddle with your pet
14. Spend some alone time doing whatever you want
15. Go to a museum
16. Give yourself permission to sleep in
17. Turn off social media for a day or weekend
18. Close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths
19. Listen to a fun or informative podcast or audiobook.
20. Make your bed
21. Create a fun coffee drink at home
22. Write a list of what you’re grateful for
23. Spend 5 minutes journaling before bed (20 journal prompts for self love)
24. Turn off your phone at 9pm
25. Take yourself on a solo date
26. Call or Facetime your friends
27. Sing loudly in the car or shower
28. Dance in the rain
29. Eat nourishing meals all day
30. Add some essential oils into a diffuser
31. Look through old photographs and photo albums
32. Create a new playlist of songs that you love
33. Paint a picture or get crafty
34. Declutter a space in your home
35. Reorganize your closet and donate old clothes
36. Have a picnic in a park
37. Go on a nature walk or hike
38. Watch the sunset
39. Get extra dressed up and go somewhere special
40. Plan a girl’s night out
41. Spend extra time on your skincare routine
42. Book yourself a massage
43. Go to church or a place of worship
44. Walk barefoot in the grass
45. Allow yourself to say “no”
46. Water your plants and wipe their leaves
47. Ride a bike or rollerskate
48. Unsubscribe to email lists that you don’t enjoy
49. Drink more water
50. Do something spontaneous
51. Give up multitasking for a week and let yourself focus on only one thing at a time.
52. Give yourself an unscheduled block of time, or even a whole day!
53. Go to a group fitness class or a group run/walk
54. Make plans to do that fun thing you’ve been meaning to do
55. Buy yourself a small present that brings you joy
56. Read old cards and messages from loved ones
57. Celebrate something good in your life lately, no matter how small
58. Surprise a friend with a gift or a thoughtful gesture
59. Make plans to meet up with someone who always leaves you feeling energized and uplifted
60. Reorganize a small space in your home that tends to collect clutter
61. Take care of 5 small tasks that have been nagging you for a while
62. Stretch for 20 minutes
63. Take a personal day off of work
64. Make that doctor’s or dentist’s appointment that you’ve been putting off
65. Find a way to track your physical and mental health in a way that works for you
66. Go to the farmers market and cook yourself a healthy meal with your market haul
67. Take 10 minutes to write down your dreams for the future
68. Take one small step towards one of those dreams
69. Take a true lunch break
70. Wash your sheets and your towels
71. Check in with your finances and your savings goals
72. Make something about your daily life easier
73. Throw out expired beauty and skincare products
74. Cook your favorite childhood meal
75. Spend time meal prepping to make your week easier
76. Use an alarm clock so you can charge your phone in a separate room
77. Say something nice to yourself
78. Give yourself a scalp massage in the shower
79. Take a class or a workshop in something that interests you
80. Change the backgrounds on your devices to images that inspire or calm you
81. Repeat a positive affirmation to yourself (here are 10 for stress relief)
82. Eat your meals without any distractions for a day
83. Have a digital detox weekend
84. Visit a library or a bookstore and browse the shelves
85. Make your mornings easier by prepping everything the night before
86. Turn off work notifications during off-hours if you can
87. Say “thank you” to others and yourself
88. Take a luxurious bath
89. Take a deep breath in and then release any tension you’re holding in your body as you breathe out
90. Check in with yourself before jumping into the day
91. Listen to nature sounds
92. Set up a cozy nook in your home
93. Take something off of your to-do list that doesn’t need to be there
94. Ask your friends and family for help when you need it
95. Do a fun DIY home decor project
96. Have a good cry if you need one
97. Unfollow or mute social media accounts that don’t make you feel good
98. Do a random act of kindness (like these 50 ideas)
99. Drink a cup of herbal tea before bed
100. Take time to foam roll after a workout

I challenge you to pick at least 10 of these self care items and commit to doing them at least once a week during this upcoming season. I hope these activities bring you a little more joy and help to cultivate a feeling of gratitude for all that you’re capable of.