Treat Yourself: The Best Self-Care Ideas

This post is all about self-care ideas to pamper yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. Living alone can be tolling, so it’s important to set aside time to take care of yourself!

The Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is extra important when you live alone since it can be so easy to neglect yourself. No one is around to tell you what to do! And self-care doesn’t just mean warm baths and hot tea (although it definitely can). It encompasses all kinds of aspects of physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Prioritize physical self-care by making sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy and stay active. Neglecting your most basic needs can put you on the fast track to poor physical health, which in turn brings down your mood and your energy levels. Your physical health, in many ways, is the foundation for your wellbeing in other areas of your life.

Emotional self-care is also super important, especially when you live alone. It’s easy to feel lonely and isolated when living a solo lifestyle. To combat loneliness, find ways to connect with others, like joining a group or club, volunteering or keeping in touch with friends and family. Managing stress is important for emotional self-care as well, and activities such as yoga, meditation and reading can help.

Lastly, we’ve got mental self-care. Keep your brain stimulated and connected by staying mentally active. This can be achieved by reading, learning a new skill or engaging in any other mentally stimulating activities. This doesn’t have to be extravagant. Even just working on a puzzle will do the trick!

By giving these areas of your life the time and attention they need, you’ll be happier and healthier because of it.

Read More: 11 Ways Living Alone Changes Your Life (for the better)

Self-Care Ideas

Check out the following self-care ideas to improve your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

1. Take a hot bubble bath

This one is an oldie but goodie, and for a good reason. Having a warm soak in the tub relaxes your muscles, opens up your sinuses and reduces stress hormones. Consider taking a bath an hour or two before bed to help you sleep. The slow drop in body temperature after a warm bath can aid your body’s natural sleep routine and help you fall asleep easier.

2. Read a book

Reading books can be like hitting the mental refresh button. It can increase your vocabulary, improve your communication, broaden your horizons, spark creativity and reduce stress. Reading is a smart and fulfilling way to boost your brainpower and keep yourself entertained.

Not sure where to start? Here are some recommendations that I read last year:

3. Watch a good movie

When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, kick back and watch a good movie. It’s a surefire way to forget about reality for a couple of hours and escape into a different world. Whether you’re laughing, crying, or on the edge of your seat, movies are the ultimate form of self-care that help you recharge and come back to the real world feeling more relaxed.

That said, avoid falling into the habit of distracting yourself from real life. Addressing your issues head-on is usually the only way to get rid of them for good!

4. Drink tea and journal

Journaling is a fantastic form of self-expression and self-discovery. Physically writing down thoughts helps you process emotions, increase mindfulness and boost creativity.

Need some ideas for what to journal about? Try starting with these:

• Reflect on the best advice you’ve ever received
• Document the best things that happened to you this week
• Recall the details of a favorite memory
• List the current details of your life that you don’t want to forget about later
• Brainstorm your future goals, from to-do lists to dream vacation ideas

Journaling is also a great way to reflect on personal growth and track progress over time. So grab a cute journal and start spilling your feels (don’t forget about a warm cup of tea!). Your mental health will thank you.

5. Call a loved one

It’s especially important to stay in touch with the people you care about when you live alone. Talking to someone you love can have a whole slew of benefits, like reducing stress and anxiety, getting emotional support, improving mental health and strengthening relationships. It also allows for open communication and provides a safe space to share thoughts, feelings and experiences. Talking to someone you love makes you feel good!

6. Walk your dog

If you’re feeling restless, odds have it, your dog might be too. Knock out two (three?) birds with one stone by taking your dog for a long walk. First of all, getting outside is good for you. Just being outdoors can pick up your mood, wake you up and stimulate your creativity.

Second, walking, especially at a quicker pace, is good for your heart. The endorphins released during exercise also put you in a good mood.

Lastly, you’ll get some bonding time with your dog. Use the walk as a training session or just for some decompression. You’ll both get back home feeling refreshed!

7. Declutter

A messy, cluttered space encourages a messy, cluttered-feeling mind. Help clear your head by physically clearing the clutter around you. Especially focus on your workspace and your bedroom. You want your work area to feel helpful and free of distractions. Your bedroom should be a place for you to relax.

If you have stuff piling up on every surface and in every corner, get a trash bag and throw away all the trash. Then everything else that has a home can be put away. You’ll notice yourself feeling lighter immediately after doing this!

8. Blast music and workout

I know, sometimes mustering up the motivation is workout is TOUGH. If you’re overdue for an exercising sesh, but can’t seem to get yourself going, start by playing some upbeat music. Playing your workout playlist is even better, since you’ll associate the songs with the satisfying feeling of working out.

Give it 15 minutes. If you’re trying and the addictive endorphins just aren’t kicking in, that’s okay. Tomorrow is a new day.

9. Blast music and clean

Use the boost of energy from fun music to get yourself up and clean up your place. Vacuum, dust, wash the dishes, change the sheets and feel your mood boost and stress plummet. There’s something about sitting down after a day of cleaning that feels SO satisfying.

10. Or just blast music

No need to pressure yourself to be productive when you’re rocking out to your favorite jams. Sometimes, just having music playing is enough to boost your mood. Music has a special way of setting the feel for your entire day.

That said, don’t underestimate the value in listening to slower, sadder music. If you’re feeling down or have a lot on your mind, listen to whatever helps you feel your feels. Trying to block out or ignore your bummer feelings isn’t healthy and actually makes you feel worse in the long run. Use music as free therapy however you need it!

11. Drink more water

Drinking water is so important for good health but it’s often deprioritized. Water helps regulate body temperature, support metabolism, flush out toxins, maintain skin hydration and aid in digestion. Not drinking enough water can negatively impact physical and mental performance, making you feel sluggish.

It’s recommended that you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. Sometimes the day can get away from you, causing you to miss the mark. One way to motivate yourself to drink more water is to drink from a bottle or glass that you really like. For me, I find I drink more water when I’m sipping from a straw. I don’t know why, but it works.

Try some fun water bottles and cups to motivate you to drink more water. If nothing else, having a sealed water bottle at least means you can keep water on you when you’re on the go, while reducing your single-use plastic consumption!

12. Write 3 things you’re grateful for

It’s easy to forget to appreciate all the wonderful things you have when life gets hectic. Take some time to slow down and reflect on the things you’re most grateful for. Start with writing down three things, but if your thoughts really start flowing, don’t stop there!

Regularly acknowledging your blessings can make you an overall happier person. There are so many things to be grateful for.

13. Meditate

Meditation is the ultimate self-care game-changer. Regularly meditating can improve mental clarity, reduce stress and anxiety, increase self-awareness and boost your mood. It’s a super easy and convenient way to bring a sense of calm into your hectic life.

Meditating doesn’t have to be a big time commitment either. Even just practicing for a few minutes every day can make a difference. If you’re just starting out, check out the Headspace app or try a free Youtube video like this one:

14. Breathe

Did you know that when you’re stressed or hyperfocused, your breathing can become quick and shallow? This encourages your body to go into a fight-or-flight response. If you’re just sitting at your desk (and not being attacked by a bear or weathering a violent storm), you’re causing your body unnecessary stress.

Throughout the day, regularly check in with your breathing. Take a few deep breaths that fill up down to your belly. Sometimes you’ll feel yourself immediately begin relaxing!

If you’re interested in this topics, there’s a really good book about the health benefits of different types of breathing called Breath by James Nestor. You should check it out!

Read More: The Ultimate Guide: How to Live Alone

15. Sit outside

Spending time outdoors has loads of health benefits, like increased vitamin D production, reduced stress levels, improved mental well-being, increased physical activity and better quality sleep. Even just sitting outside in nature can boost creativity, enhance your mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Try to find time to sit outside for at least 20 minutes a day (weather permitting, of course!).

16. Open the windows

As spring peaks around the corner and the weather starts warming up, open up the windows to air out your house. There’s something so refreshing about the smell of spring air. It just puts you in a good mood!

Don’t leave the windows open long if it’s still chilly, but allowing some air circulation around your place can create a cleansing effect, both physically and emotionally.

17. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to give back, boost your resume and make new friends while making a positive impact on the community. Plus, it’s a great way to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience in fields you’re passionate about. Check out local opportunities at animal shelters, nursing homes, community gardens or homeless shelters. You can genuinely make a difference and doing good makes you feel good too!

18. Have an at-home spa day

Spare your bank account and destress by having an at-home spa day! Here are some ideas:

• Play relaxing music, like classical piano or Reiki healing music
• Light some candles and/or run your essential oil diffuser with calming scents like lavender or vetiver
• Take a warm bath or shower
• Soak your feet and give them a good exfoliation with a pumice stone
• Exfoliate your whole body, focusing on dry areas like your knees and elbows
• Trim your finger and toenails
• Apply a body and face moisturizer and give it time to really absorb; avoid putting makeup on right away to give your skin a chance to breathe

Carve out a few hours to take your time pampering yourself. You’ll feel amazing afterwards!

19. Make yourself a delicious coffee

Okay, coffee is just so delicious in general. If you agree, then you know how a great cuppa can be a form of self-care. Try getting fancy with it! Trader Joe’s has seasonal flavored plant-based milks, like maple oat milk or lavender blueberry almond milk. Heat the milk up, give it a quick frothing, then pour it into a cup of freshly brewed coffee for a killer at-home latte.

20. Enjoy some aromatherapy with essential oils

Essential oils have been used for centuries to influence emotions and even heal. Each of the different oils has different properties and is used for different purposes. For example…

• Mint can help open up your sinuses and help you breathe
• Lavender has a calming effect that can help you relax and sleep better
• Citrus, like orange and lemon, may energize you and make you feel more awake

Experiment with different combinations of oils to find your favorite blends. Diffusing is a great means for enjoying essential oils. There are loads of pretty and affordable options on Amazon like these ones:

21. Do yoga

Yoga is the like the holy grail of self-care. It’s a low-impact workout that improves flexibility, strengthens muscles, calms the mind and boosts mood. Doing yoga is an amazing way to reduce stress and anxiety, increase body awareness and connect with your breath. With so many fun and satisfying poses to try, you’ll never get bored on the mat. Namaste, babe!

22. Get a massage

That’s right! If you needed an excuse to go get a massage, consider this it. A great massage can have several health benefits, including reducing stress, improving circulation, relieving muscle tension and promoting relaxation. Massages may also increase endorphin levels, leaving you feeling calm and all-around happy.

23. Pay your savings account $50

Too often, we prioritize paying everyone else before paying ourselves, never breaking the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. While moving $50 into your savings account won’t make you rich, it will help get in you in the mindset that you deserve to prioritize yourself financially too.

As soon as you get your next paycheck, move some right into savings, whether $20 or $200. Whatever you can afford! Try to make this a habit every payday to accumulate a rainy day fund. You’ll be so glad you did should you find yourself in a pinch.

24. Learn something new

When life gets busy, it can feel hard enough just to keep up, let alone challenge ourselves to new things. Try to carve out time to learn something new every now and then. This doesn’t have to be a big time commitment (although it certainly can be). Perhaps watch short videos in the evenings that teach you about something you’ve always wanted to know.

If you have more time on your hands, consider signing up for a class to build your expertise in a new skill. Learn a new language, how to play an instrument or self-defense. You feel better about yourself when you’re constantly growing. Even better, those skills might come in handy in your day-to-day life!

25. Make a tonic

Sometimes your same old same old tea bags start to feel a little tired. If you want to spice up a warm drink from scratch, try steeping these whole foods and spices for a healthy boost of hydration:

• Orange slices, cinnamon, fresh ginger, cloves & honey
• Loose-leaf green tea, orange & lime slices, fresh mint leaves
• Fresh strawberry slices, fresh basil leaves, lemon & honey

Explore your favorite flavors to see what you can come up with. Don’t ignore the cold versions of a good infusion too! Mixing fresh fruits and herbs into your water may encourage you to drink more water. Win, win.

26. Eat a piece of fruit

Eating fruit is one of the yummiest ways to take care of your physical health. Fruit is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that keep you feeling fresh, energized and healthy. Plus, it’s a delicious way to get your daily dose of nutrients and keep those pesky cravings at bay. Here are some great fruits + a reason why they’re amazing:

• Strawberries – in just 8 strawberries, you consume 100% of your daily recommended vitamin c intake
• Blueberries – these little berries may be the densest source of antioxidants of all popular fruits, potentially fighting off free radicals that cause aging
• Pomegranate – this fun fruit is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory, which may help reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer

Ditch the junk food and embrace the power of fruit! Your taste buds and body will thank you.

27. Make a to-do list

Day-to-day life can get overwhelming sometimes. Remembering (and worrying) about all the things you have to do can take up so much mental space. Give your brain a break by writing down everything you need to remember. You’ll immediately feel better knowing you can think about other things, while that thought is documented for reference later.

I carry around a notebook with me everywhere I go all day. Every time I have a thought, from what I need to add to my grocery shopping list to somewhere I’d like to go on vacation, I write it down. As soon as it’s on paper, my brain can relax and refocus. This strategy is a lifesaver!

28. Give someone you love a hug

Hugs are one of the ultimate forms of love and they’re good for you too! Studies show that hugging someone you love releases oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone that reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves overall well-being. So, go ahead, give your man, BFF, mom or pup a big squeeze. Your body (and heart) will thank you!

Read More: 38 Fun Things To Do Alone: Unlock The Fun In Solo Living

Conclusion: Prioritize Self-Care!

Self-care is essential when you live alone. It can help maintain a healthy balance and well-being, physically, emotionally and mentally. It’s important to make self-care a priority in your daily routine and to find activities that work best for you. The sky is the limit when it comes to taking care of yourself. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation – you do what works best for you!

It can be helpful to set self-care goals for yourself and track your progress so that you can see how far you have come. This can help you stay motivated and consistent. It’s important to remember that self-care is not selfish, rather it’s necessary. When you prioritize taking care of yourself, you are better able to take care of others and you can live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Are there any self-care ideas you can recommend from your own well-being rituals? Please let us know in the comments!

Sincerely,