Wellness Wednesday: November 1, 2017

50 Ideas for Your Personal Self-Care Plan

These days, it seems like everyone wants something from us. As a graduate student, I’m constantly trying to figure out how to balance school, two jobs, an internship, and having a dog, all while maintaining my relationships with friends, family, and my partner. There is never enough time, enough energy, or enough organization to finish everything I want to get done in a day. Sometimes, the stress and chaos gives my mind the opportunity to trick me into thinking that “not doing enough” is the same as “not being enough.” It can be hard, but I know that isn’t true, and I can see that once I give myself the opportunity to step back, take a deep breath, and refill my proverbial glass.

There are all sorts of things you can do for yourself to refill your glass. The internet is full of them. Sometimes, all of the options can seem just as overwhelming as not doing anything at all. So, to start, here are a few tips for creating a plan that works for you:

●       Write it down!
Whatever you choose, write it down. It not only helps you remember, but it keeps you accountable.

●       Trust yourself
You know yourself best, so when looking at a list of possibilities, choose the ones that you think could really help. Be honest with yourself.

●       Be brave
At the same time, don’t limit yourself to things you already do or do well. Try something new, and be open to things that might not have worked so well for you in the past. People change, and so do the things we like!

So, now that we’ve covered the basics, here are 50 ideas for things you could add to your own plan! Some are more habitual, others are for when you need a quick pick-me-up! I have collected them from various internet sources as well as from my personal experience.

1.    Pick one thing that you need to do and get it done so it’s off your mental “to do” list.

2.    Get a manicure or pedicure.

3.    Get a massage.

4.    Find a therapist.

5.    Get a book from the library (free) or bookstore about some topic you’ve been interested in, but have never taken the time to learn. Afterward, spend a few minutes each day learning about it.

6.    In the morning, listen to music that inspires and motivates you.

7.    Write a list of things you’re grateful to have in your life and post it somewhere you can see it often. We have a tendency to focus on the negative, so remind yourself of the good stuff.

8.    Go through your closet and purge the clothes you haven’t worn in years. Donate them to a charitable organization.

9.    If you bring your lunch to work, pack a few extra items to share with someone less fortunate on your way or during your lunch break.

10. Share a kind smile with strangers on your way to and from work. Some people may go all day without anyone acknowledging their existence.

11. Start a cycle of encouragement. Tell someone near you what you appreciate about them. They may return the favor when you need it most.

12. If you buy your morning coffee, skip it today and donate the money to a charity of your choosing.

13. Call your mom, dad, or any other family member you care about just to say hi.

14. Learn how to sew. Self-sufficiency may have some other mental health benefits for you as well.

15. Send a completely random care package to someone you love. Who doesn’t love a surprise?

16. Try out a form of martial arts. A lot of schools offer a free lesson.

17. Take a moment at the end of each day and consciously list a few good things in your life. This can help refocus your emotions on all the positive things that happen each day, even when it doesn’t seem like it.

18. Turn off your phone and step away from the computer for a whole day.

19. Take a few minutes and enjoy a funny animal video on YouTube.

20. Go for a walk by yourself with headphones on, listening to music you love.

21. Prepare a meal, no matter how simple.

22. Create something for no practical purpose such as a song, a poem, an essay, a painting, a drawing, a comic strip, a collage, etc.

23. Lay on the floor on your back with your eyes closed for five minutes (or longer) and just breathe.

24. Shower with all the lights off. It forces you to move incredibly slow and it’s so relaxing. Make sure to have safety mats in place so you don’t slip on your way out.

25. Stare at your pet or another animal and seriously contemplate their existence. Do you think they believe they have a higher purpose?

26. Rearrange all of your furniture in a way that makes you more comfortable or just to try something fresh in your living space.

27. Check in with yourself a few times each day and take a moment to process your thoughts and emotions. Don’t let them build up.

28. Swing on a swing set. Too many adults forget how much fun this is.

29. Call your friend or sibling when you know they can’t answer and leave a ridiculously funny made up song as your voicemail. You’ll spread a little laughter while also laughing in the process.

30. Make up a brand new dance move and teach it to someone.

31. Do a five minute meditation on your feet.

32. Carve a couple hours out of your schedule this weekend to enjoy a classic film.

33. Go out to see a movie at your favorite theater all by yourself.

34. Make a piece of artwork—draw, paint, cut and paste, whatever—that someone might interpret as ugly and tell it you love and accept it anyway.

35. Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race and bask in the charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent of the contestants. Try to channel some of that in your own life when you find yourself needing it.

36. Go to a support group meeting.

37. Listen to a podcast about something that interests you that you haven’t yet explored.

38. Roll out a blanket and eat your dinner on the grass at home or in the park. Invite someone else if you’d like company.

39. Make yourself a gourmet grilled cheese and some tomato soup. Comfort food at the right time or during the right type of weather can be great for boosting your mood.

40. Tell yourself something that resists self-criticism but feels encouraging like, “I’m doing the best that I can.”

41. Taking care of yourself can start with something small! Maybe today you just need to lie down on the couch instead of on your bed for a change of scenery.

42. Write something encouraging on a post-it and put it where you will see it every day! Or write directly on your mirror: “I am beautiful and brave.”

43. Say a magnificent affirmation out loud, like “I am a child of the universe, and I have been given endless talents and capabilities.”

44. Commit to posting mostly or only positive things on your favored social media site for a while. For every sad news item, there’s a related (or unrelated) story of resilience, bravery, and triumph.

45. Write a review of a business you like. Send that positive energy into the universe and share some love for your favorite local places!

46. Read a book that’s easy and fun. You can give it away to a younger person in your life after if you feel like giving it up.

47. Listen to an album you loved when you were younger but haven’t heard in a long time.

48. Congratulate yourself for doing difficult things, even if they might not seem difficult to others. Depending on the individual, plenty of everyday things can be difficult, like riding the bus, standing in line, filing paperwork, going to the doctor, making food, doing chores, etc.

49. Wash your face. Sometimes the simplest hygiene tasks can be the most refreshing.

50. Reflect on the struggles your ancestors endured so you could exist and remember that you have inherited their strength and resilience.

What do you think of these ideas? Share your results and any tips you have learned in your own wellness journey in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Nicki Phillips is a counseling intern at Esprit and a graduate student at UW Oshkosh working towards a degree in clinical mental health counseling. She brings a fresh perspective to her work along with a vibrant personality. She believes everyone is inherently worthy of respect and compassion, and strives to create those qualities in her relationships with clients. She sees clients who are uninsured, underinsured, have a high deductible, or prefer to pay out-of-pocket for a reduced cost. She particularly enjoys working with adolescents and young adults, and has also worked with children (ages 5 and up) and adults. She has immediate openings for new clients! Please schedule online at espritcounseling.com. She can also be reached via email at nicki@espritcounseling.com or by phone at (920) 383-1287.