50 Self-Care Ideas for a Bad Day
We all have days where we don’t feel our best. There are days where we will feel a range of negative emotions, for whatever reason. During these times, it’s important that we take care of ourselves by prioritizing self-care. The term self-care is thrown around a lot. But what exactly does it mean? Self-care is the intentional act of caring for ourselves, physically, mentally and emotionally. It comes in many different forms, but it encompasses anything that will help us to pause, relax and recharge, so that we can feel our best. Here are 50 self-care ideas if you’re having a bad day:
- Call or text someone you love
- Drink a cup of tea of coffee
- Journal about how you’re feeling
- Take some deep breaths
- Listen to your favorite music
- Go for a long walk in nature
- Cook or order in your favorite meal
- Read a book
- Light your favorite candle
- Do a digital detox
- Go to your favorite place
- Stretch
- Try a new face mask
- Read inspirational quotes
- Get some sleep
- Organize or rearrange your space
- Buy yourself flowers
- Exercise in a way that feels good for you
- Write down 5 things you’re grateful for
- Spend quality time with friends or family
- Turn on a diffuser with your favorite essential oils
- Watch the sunset
- Practice mindful meditation
- Take a bath or shower
- Watch your favorite show
- Turn your phone off for a bit
- Go for a drive (no destination required)
- Put on an outfit that makes you feel good
- Practice yoga
- Sleep with a weighted blanket
- Try learning something new
- Let yourself have a good cry (sometimes we need it)
- Implement a morning and night routine you enjoy
- Make a playlist of your favorite songs
- Write down 5 things you love about yourself
- Try out an adult coloring book
- Listen to a podcast or audiobook
- Do something creative (painting, writing, drawing, etc.)
- Bake a delicious treat
- Clean out your email inbox
- Drink more water
- Donate to a cause you care about
- Take a break from the news
- Start a skincare routine
- Cuddle with a pet
- Unfollow people on social media who aren’t serving you
- Get some fresh air
- Write a letter to a loved one
- Sit and be still for 10 minutes
- Do a full-body scan
These are just some of many ideas for how you can practice self-care. What makes you feel the most rested and at peace is unique to you. Still, we hope that this posts gives you some good ideas for when you may be having a bad day. Remember that self-care is never selfish. In fact, it’s necessary for our wellbeing!
We acknowledge that no amount of self-care can completely mitigate the struggles that may arise from more complex mental health conditions. If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief it’s best to seek professional help. Our compassionate therapists can help give you additional tools to cope with what you’re experiencing.
