Self Care Day Ideas to Help You Be Your Best Self
When was the last time you had a day dedicated to you? I’ll wait. Hopefully, it wasn’t too long ago. However, if you can’t remember the last time that you’ve had a day to yourself or if you are ready to plan your next “me day,” I’m sharing some self-care day ideas that will help you plan the perfect day to relax, recharge, and get back to living your best life.
Whether you’re a busy corporate woman or a stay-at-home mom, you need days dedicated to the care and keeping of yourself. Everyone reaps the benefits when you take care of yourself.
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What is a self-care day?
A self-care day is a day where you focus on your overall wellbeing. It’s taking time to honor yourself by engaging in activities that are good for your physical and mental health. The goal is to have a day where you do the things that help you be a better you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
When you have a day dedicated to honoring your needs, be intentional about planning activities that you will enjoy. Remember, the day is all about you.
Why do you need to slow down and recharge?
Life is busy. We have so many things to do and so many people to take care of. In the midst of taking care of all the things, we often tend to forget about ourselves. The more we pour into others without focusing on our own needs, the closer we get to extreme fatigue, a low emotional bank, and burnout.
We’ve all heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” right? You hear it so often because it’s true. And no matter how many times people remind us of that, we still continue to tire ourselves out and get closer and closer to a place where we’re no good to ourselves or anybody else.
According to Forbes.com, there is science to support the effectiveness of spending time alone.
Truth is, you need to slow down and recharge your batteries. It’s necessary to take time to self-reflect and determine when a self-care day is in order for you.
Read Next: How to Prioritize Self Care Every Day
How often should you have a day dedicated to yourself?
The important thing to remember when you’re trying to determine how often you should have a “me day” is to let your body and mind lead the way. When you feel the onset of overwhelm and constant frustration, it might be time to step away for a minute to recharge.
Taking a day to focus on yourself is a great way to manage your mental and physical health. It’s not a selfish act to reserve some downtime to relax.
What should you do in preparation for a “me day”?
Once you determine that you need a day alone, begin making plans to make it happen. Remember, you want this day to be extra special so take time to get everything planned. You want to set yourself up for a successful self-care day.
Here are some steps to take to make your day great:
- Choose a day and put it on your calendar. Take a look at your schedule and choose a day that works for you. Impromptu self-care days are great, too. However, it can be difficult to do things on the fly if you have other commitments to honor. So, put a day on your calendar and make sure to protect that day from any unnecessary interruptions.
- Let everybody know. Once you choose a day, go ahead and start letting everyone know. Tell your spouse, children, and everybody in your circle that you’re planning a day just for yourself. This will help keep you accountable, but it will also let everyone close to you see how serious you are about prioritizing your well-being.
- Make all the necessary preparations. If you’re planning to get a massage, get your nails done, eat at a fancy restaurant or anything that requires reservations, go ahead and make them. You don’t want to be disappointed on your special day because your favorite spot doesn’t have availability. If you need to make arrangements for childcare or other things, don’t forget to set that up.
What are some ideas for a self-care day?
You don’t have to have spa appointments and fancy dinner reservations for a self-care day. There are other very effective activities that you can include for your day of relaxation. Here are some self-care day ideas:
- Pamper yourself with skincare.
- Watch some feel-good movies.
- Go for a walk.
- Take a nap.
- Soak in a warm bath.
- Repeat some positive affirmations.
- Unplug from social media all day.
- Spend some time in nature.
- Read a good book.
- Practice positive self-talk.
- Buy yourself some flowers.
- Write in a journal.
- Make a vision board.
- Try something new. (New restaurant, new hobby, etc.)
- Schedule a photoshoot.
- Go out for coffee.
- Visit a winery or have some wine at home.
- Plan a solo picnic in your favorite park.
- Plant some flowers or a tree.
- Listen to your favorite podcast.
- Do a favorite hobby.
- Make an indulgent treat.
- Visit a farmer’s market.
- Make a fancy cocktail.
- Go somewhere and people watch.
- Binge your favorite YouTube channel.
- Listen to an uplifting playlist.
- Explore a local museum.
- Window shop at your favorite store.
- Visit an antique shop.
- Volunteer in your community.
- Talk to your therapist.
- Read some magazines that you’ve bought.
- Clean up your social media accounts.
- Meet up with some friends.
When planning a self-care day, it’s important to remember to choose activities that recharge you, not those that drain your energy. Don’t include activities or people on your agenda that won’t contribute to boosting your spirits or helping you get the relaxation you need.
Quotes about spending time alone
Quality time alone has many benefits. One of the greatest benefits is getting to know yourself better. As you spend more time alone, you can focus more on how certain activities make you feel. Over time, you’ll be able to figure out the perfect activities for your self-care days.
Here are some of my favorite quotes about spending time alone:
“We need solitude, because when we’re alone, we’re free from obligations, we don’t need to put on a show, and we can hear our own thoughts.” ~Tamim Ansary
“Fall in love with your solitude.” ~Rupi Kaur
“Sometimes, you need to be alone. Not to be lonely, but to enjoy your free time being yourself.”
“In the silence we listen to ourselves. Then we ask questions of ourselves. We describe ourselves, and in the quietude we may even hear the voice of God.” ~Maya Angelo
“I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.” ~Audrey Hepburn
“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.” ~Albert Camus
Final words
As I’ve gotten older, I do a better job of recognizing when I need some me time. I’ve also learned to identify the activities that help me rest and recharge to be my best self. Take some time to reflect on the activities you truly enjoy and reap the most benefits from.
I hope that this list of ideas will help you plan the perfect day for the next time that you can take a break from the world to focus on yourself.
