There are endless self care ideas for women out there, however, most of them are so overused and unoriginal that they fail to inspire real action. Do you agree?
Oh well.. we cannot reinvent the wheel. BUT. Nothing inhibits us from approaching old ideas from a different angle.
This article presents self-care ideas with a twist – ones that are truly worth your attention and will add inspiration to your routine. Let’s get to it!
What is self care?
Self care is the act of taking care of your mind, body, and spirit. It is a SLOW DOWN, a form of CHECK-IN with yourself.
It can involve anything from getting enough sleep and eating nutritious foods to participating in activities that help you relax and engage your creativity.
Self care can also include setting aside time for yourself each day to do something that makes you feel good.
Why self care is important?
In today’s world, we – women face a lot of pressure to excel in every aspect of our lives. From being perfect mothers, and caring partners to excelling in our careers, it seems like there is no room for error.
No wonder that in the midst of all this, taking the time to care for ourselves can easily fall by the wayside. We feel guilty for taking breaks and spending time on our own needs instead of sacrificing everything for others.
Yet, the value of self care is hard to overestimate.
Really, think about it – how would you be able to take care of others when you are unable to properly care for yourself?
Knowing when to take a break or say “no“ to something that is not good for you is a type of luxury that is ESSENTIAL in order to stay mentally and physically healthy.
Making a conscious effort to prioritize self-care enables you to show up as the best version of yourself and live a happier and healthier life.
Self care ideas for women
Take some time to review this list of 10 self care ideas for women. You don’t have to tackle them all at once, just pick one that resonates the best with you and put it into practice.
So, here is what you can do to take care of yourself.
1. Declutter
When it comes to self care ideas for women, decluttering is a top recommendation.
Declutter is the act of simplifying your space and getting rid of excess belongings that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. It is a form of LETTING GO.
It may seem overwhelming to embark on this task, but once you start to let go of things that are taking up physical and mental space, you will feel a sense of relief and clarity.
Declutter is a general term; it includes mental, physical and digital declutter.
- Mental Declutter
Mental decluttering is about getting rid of past regrets, expired feelings and harming mental patterns.
It is a way to free up space for positive and productive thoughts that can help you move forward in life.
In other words, it is a special time of your life when you are
- assessing the current situation,
- getting clarity on things and
- straightening your goals and priorities.
Clarity is such a luxury nowadays and by letting things go, you are giving yourself some breathing room. Now you can focus on the things that matter most.
Examples of mental decluttering can be:
- journaling about your current goals,
- making necessary closures in life,
- tracking your income and expense,
- leaving behind bad habits
- letting go of lingering feelings about the past
- Physical Declutter
Physical decluttering is removing physical “stuff” from your personal space (room, house, or office).
The idea behind physical decluttering is to get rid of distractions and create an environment that is more conducive to productivity, creativity and a peace of mind.
Examples of physical decluttering:
- donating collections of things
- getting rid of old pieces of furniture
- going through the wardrobe and giving up clothes that you don’t wear anymore
- saying goodbye to sentimental things that have no practical use
- Digital Declutter
Digital decluttering is about simplifying the digital environment by going through all our digital stuff.
This can include organizing, backing up and removing files from computers, phones or any other electronic device.
Examples of digital decluttering:
- deleting old emails, images and videos
- reorganizing folders/files into logical groups
- unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters and accounts
- unfollowing people, groups and profiles that don’t serve you anymore
2. Sit and do Nothing
Sit down and do nothing? That’s right.
I believe it truly is one of the most amazing things you can do for yourself.
In our busy lives, we are constantly rushing from one task to the next, always thinking about what needs to get done next.
When you choose to sit down and do nothing, you give yourself permission to slow down and be present in the moment. You stop thinking about your to-do list and instead focus on just being. It’s like hitting the PAUSE button on life.
For some people, this can be scary – after all, we’re used to constantly being on the go.
Taking at last, some tete-a-tete time with oneself can sometimes bring to light aspects of our inner selves that we may not be comfortable with. It can be akin to opening Pandora’s box, where our skeletons and demons may emerge from the shadows.
Nonetheless, it must be done at some point, because ignorance is no bliss anymore.
But by providing ourselves with moments of stillness, we can recharge and feel more content and peaceful. Besides that, we learn to experience life as it is, without labels or expectations.
So next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, why not try doing nothing? You might be surprised by how much it can help.
3. Tune in to something inspirational
Whether it’s a podcast, book, or YouTube video, finding something that resonates with you can truly change your vibration and set your brain on a new path.
If you make this act of self-care a habit, it can even rewire your brain. By consistently exposing yourself to uplifting and inspiring content, you can shift your vibration and start living the life you truly want.
Examples of inspirational content can be:
– following guided meditation with affirmations and visualization on YouTube
– watching an inspiring Ted Talk
– listening to a podcast on personal growth and development
– reading an uplifting book on spirituality or personal growth
4. Cry
Sometimes life can get us down without us even realizing it, and crying is a natural response that helps release pent-up emotions.
And since in our society women have “permission” to cry, why not take advantage of it?
Crying indeed can be a powerful therapeutic tool for self care.
It actually doesn’t really matter if the tears are sparked by a small, seemingly insignificant moment or a heart-wrenching situation, whether it’s real or imaginary, the impact remains the same.
It can be triggered by a sad movie, a painful memory, or a song. Just grant yourself the freedom to feel. Crank up the volume and allow the emotions to flow unhindered.
And don’t be afraid to go full-on dramatic – imagine yourself as an actress in an Oscar-winning performance. The relief you’ll feel afterward can help bring laughter and joy back into your life.
Emotions are beautiful no matter if they are positive or negative, it is part of our human experience. Enjoy the variety of it while you are still present in this physical body.
5. Step outside
Getting some fresh air outside has always worked miracles for me. It’s amazing how a quick walk around the block or even just sitting outside with a cup of coffee can change your perspective on life.
It is an easy and accessible act of self-care that lifts your mood and energy levels instantly.
Try to immerse yourself in the present moment and relish the beauty of being, without any expectations.
Allow yourself to fully appreciate the sights and sounds of the world surrounding you.
Just be.
In the words of Lao Tzu, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
So take a step outside and enjoy life in all its glory!
6. Call a friend/relative
When it comes to our social life these days we rely way too much on social media. But just because we follow someone on Instagram doesn’t mean we have an active connection with them.
Have you ever thought about calling an old friend or a long-lost relative as a way to practice self-care? Not texting or DMing – but making an actual phone call.
The thought of reconnecting with someone, especially after a long period of time, can be intimidating: perhaps you doubt whether you can connect with them again on a profound level. But believe me, word after word the ice of a long silence will be broken.
Hearing someone’s voice and having a real live conversation is the only way to truly connect and catch up on things.
Only when we can relate to other people, our soul melts and miraculous healing happens – we are not alone anymore.
7. Do something creative
Taking time for yourself and engaging in creative activities can be a wonderful act of self care.
The main condition for such creative pursuits is that they should be enjoyable for you. Even if you decide to share the experience with your children, it should ultimately be something that brings you pleasure.
Creative activities can take many forms, such as
- doing some fancy cooking,
- sewing a dress,
- painting, or
- creating a visual board.
Whether it’s working on a difficult puzzle or exploring something completely new like neurographic art, doing things that allow you to express your creativity is a great opportunity to take care of yourself and your well-being.
8. Get a private session
Nothing quite compares to having someone GIVING YOU A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THEIR ATTENTION.
The good news is, you don’t have to wait for a partner, friend, or child to give it to you – you can have it ON DEMAND.
You can buy it in the form of private sessions tailored to your interests.
Whether it’s a relaxing massage, online therapy session, private golf or tennis lesson, or even a cooking class, there are countless ways to treat yourself.
These private sessions allow you to focus solely on yourself, promoting self-care and helping you recharge.
9. exercise
You hoped I will never mention it, but here it is. Sorry to disappoint you but the reality is that exercise is one of the best things you can do for your overall mental and physical health. And this is a stubborn fact.
For many people, exercise is a chore to be avoided at all costs. But what if we changed our minds about it? What if instead of seeing it as a necessary evil, we saw it as an act of self care?
Because that is what exercise truly is – a way to recharge, energize, and improve our mood.
Taking care of our physical health is just as important as taking care of our mental health, and exercise checks off both of those boxes.
So let’s put on some comfortable shoes, take a deep breath, and view exercise as an act of self-love rather than a dreaded task.
If you are completely lazy and despise exercising altogether, I highly recommend exploring SOMATIC WORKOUTS. They are a real treasure trove for those of us who struggle with traditional forms of exercise. They are absolutely effortless, yet super effective.
Intrigued? Here are a few articles to check out:
10. Unplug from technology
We cannot deny the impact that technology has had on our lives. It’s improved our productivity, connected us to amazing people, and allowed us to access information at lightning speed.
But it can also be a huge source of distraction and overwhelm if not managed correctly.
The prevalence of technology can often lead to feelings of FOMO, stress, self-doubt, and indecision regarding our choices. That’s why in this digitally saturated world, it’s crucial to disconnect from screens and embrace real-life experiences.
Take time to appreciate the beauty of nature or spend quality moments with loved ones – simply unplug. Your mind and body will thank you for it!
Remember that life is not lived through a screen but in the physical world.
back to you
In conclusion, I’d like to note that self care ideas for women can’t be limited just to taking a bath or going to the spa, it’s much more.
It is an act of self-love and self-appreciation.
It is the indicator of how connected we are to ourselves and how sensitive we are to our bodies and minds.
Self care is not just EXTRA, a form of indulgence or spoiling, no; rather it’s a necessary aspect of the wholeness of life.
