The term self-care may conjure up thoughts of face masks, exercise, and bubble baths. However, it extends far more than that. Here are 20 underrated self-care ideas that can contribute to well-rounded well-being.
I pray that these self-care ideas inspire you to:
- Prioritize self-care
- See their practicality
- Sustainably incorporate them into your routine
Practical Self-Care Ideas for Young Adults
1. Leave Room in Your Schedule for Spontaneity
Leaving room in your schedule for spontaneous fun can help you discover and try new things.
2. Establish and Maintain a Sleeping Schedule
Maintaining a sleeping schedule has the potential to improve your mood, productivity, and alertness throughout the day.
3. Don’t Check Social Media Within the First Hour of Waking up
Although it’s very tempting to check the phone first thing in the morning, try putting it somewhere out of reach so that it’s harder to access while in bed.
Some practical alternatives to checking social media:
- Journal
- Listen to a podcast
- Complete yoga in bed
You may also like: Lazy Activities to do Instead of Scrolling on Social Media
4. Spend Active Quality Time With Friends and Family
Socializing and having genuine human connections are a necessity in fulfilling our social needs.
Whether it’s having a game night, movie night, or eating dinner together, spending active quality time with friends/family can increase social belonging, bonding, and self-esteem.
You may also like: How to plan the Perfect Movie Night
5. Meal Prep
In addition to nourishing our bodies, meal prepping can help save money. While also reducing stress surrounding what to cook and eat.
6. Have Difficult Conversations
Having difficult conversations with those around you (Friends, family, partner) can encompass:
- Sharing your boundaries
- Vocalizing your needs/wants
- Communicating a problem
7. Say no to Certain Opportunities and Requests
Saying no to certain requests and opportunities can help prevent burnout. As well as contribute to greater confidence and mental well-being.
8. Create Boundaries Around Social Media use
Creating boundaries around social media use can increase self-control and offer more time to do other things.
Interested in learning more about setting boundaries?
Check out How to Create Healthy Social Media Boundaries
9. Declutter Your Space
Having a clean and organized environment can transfer to a clean, calm, and organized mind.
10. Prepare and eat Home-Cooked Meals
Watching ingredients come together and the different fragrances that they produce is truly an underrated activity.
What I love most about preparing home-cooked meals is the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that it produces.
11. Organise Your Thoughts/ Feelings Through Journaling
Journaling is a powerful writing method that can help organize, guide, and process our thoughts and feelings.
You can find various journal prompts online to guide your writing.
If you want some artistic creativity in your journal, look into bullet journal ideas.
12. Spend Active Quiet Time With God
From praying to reading scripture, spending quiet time with God can strengthen not only your spiritual health but your mental and physical health also.
13. Ask for Help
Practice asking for help when something is too difficult to do by yourself.
This practice can increase self-esteem and confidence in accessing your own physical and mental strength.
14. Build a Morning Routine
Building a morning routine can help create structure and a great foundation for the day.
Considering that a routine is based on repetition, it can help decrease decision fatigue in our early waking hours.
15. Go on Solo Dates
Going on solo dates can help increase comfort and enjoyment with your own company.
For some solo date inspiration and ways to reduce anxiety while on your date
Check out How to Plan an Incredible Solo Date
16. Incorporate Intentional Rest Within Your Schedule
Although it’s easier said than done, rest is a necessity and not an option.
To make sure you take active rest, schedule it.
Activities that you can do to rest:
- Take a nap
- Disconnect from technology
- Spend time outside
17. Let go and let God
Letting go and letting God is intentionally releasing control and giving it to God.
Many things that we try to control and maintain ahold of can be the root cause of our worries, anxiety, stress, and fears.
(Mathew 11: 28-30) Relinquishing control to God will lead to greater
- Peace
- Contentment
- Calmness
- Assurance
18. Listen to Happy/Calm Music With Positive Affirmations
Listen to music that’s filled with positive lyrics and affirmations.
This can translate to improved mood, attitude, and overall outlook on life and yourself.
19. Give Yourself Permission to Binge-Watch Your Favorite Movie/TV Show
Living in a productivity-obsessed society, sometimes produces shame for wanting to be “lazy” and exert low energy.
If you want to chill and simply binge-watch shows, give yourself permission and grace.
20. Take a Leisure Walk Without an Exercise Goal in Mind
Take a leisure walk without trying to meet a certain step count or time limit.
From the cool breeze to birds chirping, marvel and entice your senses with what you find on your walk.
That’s all for the self-care ideas! I hope that you begin to prioritize and sustain self-care practices in your daily routine.
