Photo: Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive. I found this tub of luxury ice-cream in M&S reduced to £1.50 and enjoyed eating it by the kids paddling pool.
Here’s a quick blitz of self-care ideas to kick things off. Please let me know your own ideas and I will add them to the list:
Be creative
Take photos, make photo album, colouring, drawing, dot to dot, make greeting cards, collage, scrap book, sew, crochet, knit, embroider, play dough, salt dough, pottery, make a seasonal table
Pampering
Bath, long shower, try new products, moisturise, deep condition hair, paint nails, DIY facial, new face cream
Grow
Plant herb pots, make a window box, gardening
Comfort
Cuddle pet, cosy socks or clothes, change bedding, soft toys, special momentos
Words
Inspirational quotes, journal, blog, tweet, poetry, haiku
Sound
Listen to music, play instrument, compile different mood playlists, sing
Water
Walk in puddles, listen to water feature or running water, make an aquarium, paddle in stream
Food
Try a new recipe, bake, browse food pictures on Instagram, go out for coffee, tea, cake, or a meal, have a kitchen cupboard clear out
Exercise
Swim, walk, jog, NHS Couch to 5 km, get out of breath, star jump, yoga, pilates, tai chi, qi gong, stretch
Outside
Picnic, fresh air, go to playground, walk dog, sandcastles, look for colourful leaves, smell flowers
Trips out
National Trust, garden centre, café, parks, museums, art gallery, visit a historical place or monument, aquarium, seaside, forest, hills, funfair or theme park
Quiet times
Magazines, read books or kindle, jigsaws, puzzles, sudoku, rest, candles, nap
Every day things
Drink some water, wash, clean teeth, brush hair, put clean clothes on, take medication, brew-up
Senses
Stamp feet for grounding, breathing exercises or just deep breaths, eat something very cold like an ice pop, diffuse essential oils, facial spritz- to get back in the moment
Protection
Social media break, make a self-care box or toolkit, think about when to say no, when to say yes, when to connect, when to take a break, when to push yourself forwards, when to retreat and take a step back
Support
Voluntary organisations & charities, peer support groups, online mental health communities, GP, therapy, IAPT, mental health services, 12 step meetings.
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