In our fast-paced lives, it can be difficult to find the time and energy for self-care. When we need a break from work or school but don’t know what to do with ourselves, these 27 ideas will help you recharge!
Whether you’re looking for ways to de-stress your body, or just take care of yourself better in general, this list has something for everyone – so read on!
Table of Contents
1. Meditate for at least 5 minutes.
Meditation has been proven to relax and calm the mind, which is why it’s one of the best ways to de-stress. The great thing is that meditation can be done in so many ways.
Some may think that meditation means sitting crossed legged while humming strange tunes, but this isn’t the case. You can simply sit in a quiet space and focus on your breathing.
Meditating will put you in touch with your thoughts and emotions without the distraction of other things (like social media) that can pull at your attention span. Spending even 15 minutes a day meditating will help clear out some mental congestion and allow you to think more clearly.
2. Drink water.
This may seem like a very basic piece of advice, but dehydration has been linked with many health problems. Consuming enough water every day will keep your body running smoothly, give you more energy, and make you feel less tired throughout the day.
Hydration doesn’t have to be boring either! Add some fruit slices or cucumbers to chilled water for a refreshing beverage. Fill up a huge jug of water in the morning and keep it by your side to remember to keep hydrated throughout the day!
3. Spend time with friends.
Recharge by spending time with those close to you. If you’re feeling drained, it may be because you aren’t spending enough time with those who care about you.
Meet up with friends and have a laugh! You don’t have to do any kind of special activity either – the key here is just to surround yourself with positive vibes.
4. Exercise.
Exercise is crucial. It helps maintain physical fitness while also promoting emotional health. Find activities that you enjoy doing, like as running or dancing, so they don’t feel like chores!
A great way to exercise is by taking walks around campus. If you’re feeling especially tense or stressed, try a 20 minute run on the treadmill – it won’t be long before your tension starts to melt away!
If you’re feeling especially bold, check out the 9 Benefits of Exercising Naked.
5. Take vitamins daily.
Despite what many people believe, taking vitamin supplements doesn’t replace a healthy diet. However, taking a few health supplements can help when you can’t access the foods you need.
Consider adding vitamin B-12 and Omega-rich fish oils (such as salmon) into your daily routine if the nutrient deficiency has been an issue for you in the past.
6. Improve your sleep habits.
It’s no secret that sleep deprivation causes stress, which leads to poor mental and physical health. This is why it’s so important to make sure you get enough shut-eye every night.
Make time each day to get ready for bed by turning off screens, dimming the lights, and disconnecting from any device. You may also want to invest in an eye mask and a set of ear plugs to put a stop to any distractions.
7. Practice yoga.
Yoga has been shown to reduce stress and tension, and the great thing about it is that it’s for anyone – no matter their level of physical fitness or experience.
A good yoga class will leave you feeling relaxed, and it can also be practiced at home by finding a variety of videos on YouTube, for free!
If your schedule is packed, watch 10 minutes of guided yoga exercises before bed or when you first wake up in the morning.
8. Eat healthy foods.
There are plenty of foods that can increase serotonin levels in the brain. Foods that help relieve stress include:
- Fatty fish (salmon)
- Beans
- Dark chocolate
- Spinach
- Eggs
- Avocado
Try adding these into your diet routinely if you’re not already doing so!
9. Think about what you’re grateful for.
It’s important not to dwell on the negatives. Instead, focus on the things that have been going well in your life right now – whether that’s being healthy enough to get out of bed every day, having food at home, or having someone who loves you unconditionally.
10. Take a warm bath.
Use some calming essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, or rose. Try to focus on your breathing to release any tension from the day.
A hot shower is also great for relieving stress, and is an easy option to do in the morning before work.
You could also take a bath with Epsom salts or baking soda and light an aromatherapy candle. It doesn’t take much time, and the result will be total relaxation
11. Get outside as much as possible.
Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which can help reduce symptoms of depression by increasing serotonin levels in our brain. Going outside allows us to take in more oxygen -which is why going for even a 20-minute walk can make us feel rejuvenated.
You can enjoy being in your garden or go on a long walk with friends. Really, whatever gets you out into nature will help with de-stressing from modern life.
12. Listen to your favorite music.
Your preferred choice of tunes can have a significant impact on how you feel, so find what kind of songs help you release stress.
Playlists are also great for setting the right vibe and adding the finishing touch to your self-care routine, and can help make the time pass by more quickly!
13. Unplug from social media.
Having notifications constantly popping up on our phones may seem harmless, but research has shown that these alerts make us cranky as they interrupt deep sleep cycles and lead to less REM sleep.
Taking a few hours to unplug from social media will give your mind a break from the stress that comes along with it. A good rule of thumb is no gadgets at least one hour before bedtime unless absolutely necessary.
Take some time for yourself to do things you enjoy, like reading, drawing, spending time with your significant other, and more.
14. Set aside some time to read.
Research has shown that reading is one of the best ways to increase creativity and reduce stress. Reading before bed can also help you sleep better.
In addition, reading fiction books allows you to get transported into a new world of fantasy, which could be a nice distraction from anything on your mind.
15. Make some time for yourself.
Whether it’s baking cookies, reading your favorite book, doing an at-home spa routine, or catching up with old friends on the phone – spend time on whatever brings joy into your life.
These things can have therapeutic effects on the mind, body, and spirit when practiced regularly.
16. Tidy up.
Take care of cleaning duties at home so they don’t pile up over weeks/months. A house that isn’t in order could lead to feelings of being unorganized and overwhelmed with life. In fact, living in a messy house is a guaranteed way to make you more stressed.
17. Prioritize yourself first.
Find the balance between taking care of others and taking care of yourself. Don’t forget about the people who need you (read: your family), but also make sure that you’ve taken care of too! It’s difficult to be fully present and there for someone else when we don’t care for ourselves.
18. Take a power nap.
Taking a nap in the middle of the day is a good way to recharge when you’re feeling exhausted. Even if it’s hard to find free time in your day, try squeezing in an extra 20 minutes or so.
There’s a reason why so many countries, like Spain, have naps after lunch. This does wonders for your energy levels, and you’ll stay refreshed at the later stages of the day.
19. Eat your favorite snack!
Some people find comfort in their cravings. If this sounds like you, then indulge yourself with a few of your favorite snacks. This can be a quick way to bring some comfort to your day.
20. Volunteer.
One of the best tips for self-care is donating your time and other resources. Giving back is something that everyone should practice regularly because there are always others who need help more than we do.
Donate blood, volunteer at a homeless shelter, visit nursing homes, or spend time at the local animal shelter. You’ll feel really great after you do!
21. Paint your nails.
Make yourself look glam to make yourself feel better. A little time spent on your appearance is often just what you need to feel refreshed, energized and ready to take on the world!
If you aren’t someone who paints their nails, you can always get a new haircut, a new piercing, or treat yourself to that special outfit you’ve had your eye on.
22. Keep yourself busy – but not overwhelmed.
One way to manage self-care is by cramming your free time with things to do. Keeping busy will keep you focused on the task at hand, rather than what’s happening in your life. However, if you’re already doing this, try stepping back instead.
The goal is to busy yourself with things you enjoy. But, if you are overwhelmed, then it’s time to take a break.
23. Try not to multi-task.
You may think that you’re saving time by multitasking, but the truth is that it’ll only end up making you feel more tired and frustrated in the long run. When we focus on just one task at a time, our brains have energy left over for other things too.
24. Take time to cook.
There’s nothing wrong with taking the time to prepare your meals rather than eating out or getting take-out every night. Cooking is a great way to get immersed in a task, and you can enjoy the rewards of your hard work.
You can use one of the companies that deliver a box of ingredients and recipes, which will allow you to enjoy your cooking without having to shop for all those little ingredients.
25. Start a journal.
Writing things down can be cathartic, as well as help keep track of any thoughts that might otherwise get lost. Journaling also helps promote physical health by reducing stress levels and lowering blood pressure.
You don’t have to have a psychical journal. In fact, you can use your phone to take notes of your thoughts.
26. Watch comedy clips and videos.
There are plenty of funny videos out there waiting for you! Just search “comedy” on YouTube or Netflix.
You can even browse through clips on Facebook or Reddit, read some articles from The Onion, or play your favorite DVD. Whatever it is, you’ll feel your spirits lifting in no time
27. Play with a pet.
Petting a furry friend has proven health benefits, including lowering stress levels, relieving depression, boosting the immune system, and reducing blood pressure. You can take them for a walk or just sit outside and watch them play!
Pets give us unconditional love, which we all need at some point. If you don’t own a pet, you can always sign-up with a pet-sitting agencies that allow you to look after someone’s pet while they’re otherwise occupied. Or, you can sign up to be a foster!
The Bottom Line
A car can only run for so long with no gas – and well, we humans are a bit like cars.
We need fuel and energy to live our lives effectively. If you feel depleted, it’s going to be hard to give your all to work, family life, and social time.
If you’re feeling drained of energy (or if you know someone who is) it’s important that to take the necessary steps to refuel themselves. The good news is that self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
Self care is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of our happiness, and we have to work hard to understand self love and acceptance and get ourselves back on track.
These 27 tips will help you recharge and relax. Adjusting your routine and lifestyle can lead to significant reductions in stress levels, so hopefully at least a few of these ideas make their way into your daily life!
