Self-care Ideas

What does self-care mean?

As a single-mom with a limited budget, living in survival mode for years, I have finally come to realize that self-care means so much more than pampering and indulgence.

Botox, pedicures, massages, and bubble baths can be a part of it, but true self-care doesn’t have to cost money.

Why is self-care important?

Self-care is what you do to create the life of your dreams. It’s doing little things to make sure you are still filling up your cup so you can continue to give and serve all those around you.

Women tend to give, to sacrifice for our families and our responsibilities. We want the best for our kids and so we do everything we can for them…The problem is that when we give and give we end up depleted.

Self-care consists of the little things that keep us going and keep us sane for our family. It’s not only caring for our physical needs, but also your emotional, spiritual, financial, professional, intellectual and social health as well.

Self care ideas

These are a few ideas of ways that you can improve your life, but look at your own day to day routines and figure out what you really need to be happy and to create the life that you (and your kids) deserve.

Ultimately, self-care is a personal thing. Only you can decide what is right for you and many items in the list can overlap various categories. 

Physical self-care

Exercise

Eat healthy

Drink water

Use available sick leave at work as needed

Take lunch breaks/go walking during breaks

Take your dog for a walk/hike

Go to regular doctor/dentist appointments

Prep meals weekly or monthly

Professional/Intellectual self-care

Find a job/career/hobby that gives you purpose

Attend extra training or professional development

Learn something new that you’ve always been interested in

Show up on time daily and leave on time each day

Give your best work with each project your work on

Emotional self-care

Journal

Ask for help

Find time to relax daily

Don’t check work email/messages when you’re not at work

Reading

Turn off the TV to get other things done

Find ways to stay balanced and grounded

Be kind to yourself In the midst of all the turmoil you are going through

Being patient, understanding, and positive with yourself.

Give yourself the grace of making mistakes

Be patient in reaching goals

Be forgiving of yourself for whatever you’re dealing with

Create a routine.

Create an environment that is functional

Prepare for the next day (put out clothes, shoes, bags, etc)

Complete one task on your to do list each day

Spiritual self-care

Go to church

Hiking, reading

Meditate/pray

Affirmations

Do yoga

Take a day off work while your kids are at school so that you can get things done or spend some time alone

Social self-care

Expand your network of friends and social groups

Prioritize relationships with family/friends

Attend special events

Check up on friends/family often

Set Boundaries

Say no when you’re over-committed

Ask for what you need

Accept help when offered

Learn to serve others

Be kind/patient/understanding with others

Financial self-care

Write a budget and stick to it

Get out of debt (and stay out of debt)

Organize your bills and pay them on time

Find time to call on financial matters

If you’re not self-sufficient already, work towards it until you are

Don’t spend money as a way to cope with difficult emotions

How do you know what you really need?

To truly do the things you need, look at your life and figure out what small things would make the biggest difference for you and tackle anything that is holding you back from your best life. 

What do you need to do to have the life you deserve? How can you give your children the mom that they deserve? Figure out what they need and what you have always wanted to give them and set realistic goals that will get you there. 

What is your self care budget?

If you truly have the money to get pedicures, etc. do it! If your self-care budget is ZERO, don’t worry. There is still so much you can do. Find time to do your own nails, or focus on something that doesn’t cost money. Most things on this list fit into that category.

Commit to you- You’re worth it. Don’t sabotage yourself before you even begin.

Self-care benefits

When you’re finding time daily for self-care, your life will improve. You’ll start to be more organized, get things done, and feel better in general. It will take time to see a complete shift, but it will be so worth it as your life starts improving.

It gives you peace of mind. You can feel it- and people around you feel it. Make yourself a habit.

Stay disciplined

Staying disciplined will allow you to keep up with self-care and become a healthy parent in order to take care of your family and be a better person. You’ll also be more empowered and in a better place to help others.

Discipline yourself in order to stay motivated and keep up with self-care. Self-care is something that we do regularly in order to create a habit. 

What new habits are you going to start today?

I challenge you to find a few things that you would like to work on in each self-care category and try them out throughout the year. Focus on adding one into your routine at a time. Once you add one more thing that you’re going to work on, keep at it until you make it a habit.

Share your experience with your self-care ideas in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Download your free printable self-care checklists today:

Self-care Checklist ideas and blank worksheet: Fill in with your own physical, emotional, social, financial, professional and spiritual goals.