50 self-care activities to do when you don’t know where to start

Self-care isn’t selfish: it’s necessary. It helps us feel physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Regularly engaging in practices of self-care can help us perform, feel, and be at our best.

Self-care is essential to mental health and overall well-being. It helps us to be more self-aware of our personal needs. It also helps us build our confidence, resilience, and self-esteem. Self-care activities can be personal and unique to each person as long as they are something we enjoy and help us feel good. It does not have to take a long time, and it can be social or solitary.

This article provides a list of more than fifty self-care ideas—this is by no means a complete list but a place to start.

Things you can do on your own

Taking good care of ourselves is very important. Doing self-care on our own helps us to find ourselves or find ourselves again, especially after trauma, addiction, grief, loss, etc.  For those of us in recovery, it helps us stay focused on healing and prevents relapse.

Through self-care, we figure out what we like and don’t like. We learn how to be comfortable being alone with ourselves because it helps us learn to like and forgive ourselves for our weaknesses and embrace our strengths.  And become more self-compassionate.

Here are some self-care activities that you can do on your own.

1. Read a book
2. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure
3. Binge watch a show
4. Drink herbal tea
5. Cook something new
6. Do crafts
7. Listen to music
8. Draw
9. Watch or listen to comedy
10. Decorate
11. Go shopping
12. Order dinner or your favorite meal
13. Go for a drive
14. Go to a coffee shop and order a beverage
15. Sing out loud
16. Sleep in
17. Get a massage
18. Go to a playground and play- swing on a swing, go down the slide
19. Try on clothes
20. Do scrapbooking
21. Play with a photo app on our phone
22. Bake something

Things you can do to feel calm, relaxed, or uplifted

The ups and downs of daily life can be difficult to deal with. This is especially true when going through recovery from addiction or living with a mental health condition. You may be battling feelings of guilt, shame, sadness, isolation, or even anger. But there are many coping tools and activities that can help you deal with the daily stress of life.

For example, practicing mindfulness is a great way to quiet your mind and focus in the moment. You can ground yourself through deep breathing, coloring, or doing activities that appeal to your senses and keep you in the present moment. Other activities like self-reflection through journaling and affirmations can uplift you by helping you see how far you have come.

Here is a list of self-care activities that you can help you feel calm, relaxed, or uplifted that you may want to add to your coping skills toolbox:

23. Adult coloring
24. Take a bubble bath
25. Pray and/ or meditate
26. Put on lotion
27. Sit outside
28. Pick flowers or berries
29. Take a nap and/or rest
30. Journal
31. Read and say positive affirmations
32. Do breathing exercises
33. Look at the clouds or stars
34. Burn a candle that smells good
35. Listen to a positive podcast
36. Write a gratitude list
37. Practice mindfulness

Things you can do to move your body

Physical activity is another great way to deal with stress. Movement can help you release pent-up feelings and be a positive way to cope. Some people find calm, peace, and energy through exercise, dancing, and other types of physical activity. And for others, physical activity has been known to help relieve symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Here is a list of self-care ideas that you can do to move your body and relieve stress:

38. Take a walk
39. Work out
40. Dance
41. Do yoga
42. Stretch
43. Go for a bike ride
44. Jump rope
45. Find an exercise video on YouTube you can do at home or work
46. Use a standing desk

Things you can do to connect with others

Social connection is very important for our mental and emotional needs. Connecting with others helps resolve feelings of shame, stigma, and rejection. It helps us feel less alone and isolated, as well as be seen, heard, and validated. Being connected with others helps provide support and motivation and provides accountability.

Here is a list of self-care activities that you can do to connect with others:

47. Call, text, or talk to a friend on social media
48. Play with a pet and/or talk to a pet
49. Do a good deed for someone else
50. Volunteer in your community or somewhere else
51. Play cards or a board game
52. Join a class or group
53. Research your family
54. Attend a religious service or spiritual group
55. Write a letter or email to an old friend