45 Self-care Ideas to Make You Feel Alive Again

We all know we need to take good care of ourselves. We also understand that caring for self, otherwise known as self-care, is important for our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. But many of us are guilty of chugging through the day, tending to our kids, crossing things off our to do list, driving from here to there to get errands done on time, only to find ourselves at the end of our day feeling completely drained and exhausted.

We are always busy. Busy taking care of others but too busy to take time out for our own self-care. Don’t you sometimes forget to take care of yourself? I know, I do! Maybe we all do as our lives are getting busier than ever. We consistently put self-care as our lowest priority. When it is last on the list, it is the one that can most easily be skipped entirely if we run out of time. There must be a balance between rest and activity as well as between solitude and social activities.   

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through our links then we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Please remember we feature only those items that we genuinely think can be of use. Enjoy!

What is Self-care and Why is it Necessary?

There are people who don’t understand the idea of self-care. Self-care is not the same thing as self-pampering or self-indulgence. It’s NOT a luxury, rather a pure necessity. And it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Most of the times, it doesn’t cost you anything at all.

Self-care means intentionally doing things to take care of your minds, bodies, and souls by engaging in activities that promote your well-being, uplift your spirit, and reduce stress. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. Doing so enhances your ability to enjoy your life and live fully, vibrantly, and effectively.

Self-care is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. It’s even more important to practice self-care during this pandemic to keep our stress level low and make us feel alive. “Self-care is not selfish,” says Dr. Christine Carter, PhD, a sociologist and senior fellow at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. “This is a time of incredible anxiety and stress. Focusing on what makes us feel nourished, on what gives us meaning, is part of easing those feelings and giving us a more solid foundation.”

The practice of self-care also reminds both you and others that your needs are valid and a priority. That, if you don’t take good care of yourself and continue to ignore your personal well-being, it will not only deprive you of the joys and pleasures of your life but also it will negatively affect your relationship with them.

It’s no wonder that when you neglect your own self-care, it catches up with you. You pay for that in a way that causes you some kind of pain or loss. But with a little bit of attention to your own self-care, you will feel a lot calmer, happier, healthier, more aware of your surroundings, and become more patient with others. You will feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. You will delight in simple pleasures of life, and your struggles will not seem quite as difficult as they did before.

What Happens When You Don’t Practice Self-care?

Not practicing regular self-care takes a serious toll on your mental and physical health.

Some of the consequences of not practicing regular self-care are low energy, feeling down and helpless, increased headaches, stomach aches, and other physical symptoms of stress.

Along with those, you also experience difficulty falling and staying asleep, feeling burnt-out and exhausted, difficulty concentrating or focusing, strain in the relationship with your spouse, less patience with your children and others, feeling irritated and disturbed easily, reduced performance at work, and not feeling motivated to engage in any hobbies or social interaction.

45 Ideas to Make You Feel Alive Again:

The purpose of your self-care is to restore your energy and your happiness — not take away from it. Below is a list of self-care ideas that you can easily incorporate into your daily life. Choose even one action that you think you could squeeze into your day. Maybe try to implement something in the morning so you know you won’t run out of time before you have a chance to do it.

The key here is just to try. You may not get the perfect outcome everyday. Maybe you tried one of these ideas today, and it just didn’t give you the peaceful boost you were hoping for. Then try another idea next time. Keep trying and exploring until you find something that gives you the result you’re looking for.

• Sleep for at least 6-8 hours a day
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Cook your favorite meal and eat mindfully
• Go for a walk in the early morning even if it is for 10-15 minutes
• Enjoy a hot cup of tea in a quiet corner of your home
• Relax for 5-10 minutes putting your feet up
• Stand in the shower with the hot water pouring over your back
• Take an Epsom salt bath
• Ask your spouse for a foot rub or back massage
• Read for at least 20-30 minutes a day
• Learn something new and work on your personal growth
• Visit your favorite bookstore or your local library
• Spend some time gardening
• Enjoy 10 minutes of sunshine
• Take a quick nap
• Watch a movie all by yourself
• Fix something that is bothering you for a while
• Declutter your closet and your bedroom
• Practice deep breathing
• Spend time in nature
• Call a friend or get back in touch with a loved one
• Do something kind for your neighbor or a total stranger
• Hug your kids tight and cuddle
• Try something new that excites you
• Volunteer for a good cause
• Pray or meditate
• Make peace with your flaws and forgive yourself
• Donate your old stuff
• Have a nice hair-cut
• Get a manicure or a pedicure
• Stay away from negative people, even on social media
• Turn off your phone or your laptop for at least an hour a day
• Listen to inspiring podcasts
• Buy some pretty flowers while running errands
• Stop being a people pleaser and learn to say ‘No’ without feeling guilty
• Ask for help when you need it
• Lower your expectations
• Reassess your priorities
• Forgive someone and free yourself from the grudge
• Practice mindfulness
• Enjoy total silence for 30 minutes
• Go for a weekend getaway in the mountains
• Create memories
• Make a gratitude list and read that everyday before going to sleep
• Celebrate your achievements

(Like these ideas? I love and just had to recommend this great hand cream set that helps you relax your senses with soothing scents.)

There is a myriad of ways to practice self-care and show love and compassion to yourself. Incorporating just a few of these 45 self-care ideas in your daily life will help you keep your sanity and make you feel alive again. Any act of self-care that feels joyful, relaxing, and enriching will allow you to enjoy your life like never before.

If you ever want more tips, ideas, and advice related to self-care, I have tons saved to my Pinterest board HERE, and it’s being updated every day!

Subscribe to get a biweekly recap and an occasional bit of exclusive content (just for subscribers!) delivered straight to your inbox.