Jul 23, 20202 min read

15 minutes self-care ideas

self-care is the act of taking care of yourself. you can take better care of others and the responsibilities you have when you are actively and regularly taking care of yourself.

i get it: when life gets busy, setting aside time for self care can seem impossible but, self-care doesn't need to be complicated or time consuming. try these 15 ideas that will take 15 minutes or less.

▴ go for a walk

step outside. breathe deep. move your body. a short walk is a great daily ritual that gets you sunshine, fresh air and a chance to take in and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.

▴ have a bath

relax and enjoy some quiet time. add in some essential oils, music, a candle, or your favorite book. then, change into some soft, comfy, clean clothes.

don’t have a bath tub? use your favorite body wash in the shower.

▴ write

let words just pour out from your mind onto paper, uninterrupted, without analysis or considerations for grammar.

▴ declutter

choose a place -- your email inbox, your desk, a closet -- and get rid of the excess and junk.

▴ read

read your favorite magazine, an article on a blog or a chapter of your favorite book.

▴ paint your nails

while this may not be everyone’s form of self-care, i always feel better when i have painted nails, especially my toes, and even in winter! when you can’t make a pedicure happen, take a few minutes to soak your feet and then paint your nails a fun color.

▴ pop on a face mask

grab a super soft makeup brush and apply your mask with that, then put on some relaxing music, light a candle, and just close your eyes for a few minutes.

▴ play with your pet

petting an animal has been proven to help reduce stress, tension and anxiety. your pet will love the attention, it’s a win win!

▴ listen to music

because why noooot?

listen to music that you enjoy; it can be music that energizes you, relaxes you, inspires you- it doesn’t matter. take the time to focus on the music and enjoy the time to yourself.

▴ throw a solo dance party

do i really need to explain this one? dancing is fun. dancing to your favorite pick-me-up songs is even more fun.

▴ tea time

put on the kettle, steep your favorite tea and savor it.

▴ call a friend

texting, emailing, and snapping have become all-too-common. take the time to call someone who helps you feel good and who will brighten your day.

▴ stretch it out

do some stretches or yoga.

▴ take a nap or rest

have a real, intentional uninterrupted nap or rest to recharge your batteries.

▴ prepare yourself some comfort food

sometimes, when stress and chaos hits, the best self-care is comfort food.

self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or take a lot of time. most of these self-care practices are simple and quick. but, when it comes to self-care, a little goes a long way and we all deserve it.

thank you for reading!

love,