What makes an activity “self-care worthy”?

The term “self-care” is used pretty broadly nowadays. It might mean different things to different people… but the truth is, I’m a believer that any activity can be self-care if it’s something that helps you care for your soul.

That being said, I’ve noticed that there’s a difference between activities that are merely “fun” or “feel good” and true self-care practices that nurture my body and spirit.

That’s why I use four foundations of self-care that help me determine if an activity is a good choice for self-care or not. 

Not every self-care activity necessarily has to fulfill all these requirements perfectly, but they’re a good guideline for knowing what truly makes me feel good.

Use these principles to make decisions about what activities you would classify as self-care.

Here are my 4 Foundations of Self-Care:

1. Self-care involves unplugging from my phone.

Giving myself space from my phone is critical. 

As humans, we’re not meant to be constantly plugged into a network of what thousands of other people are doing (AKA the Internet).

The constant stimulation and distractions can make us feel wound up and anxious.

A lot of times, unplugging from my phone means going outside and enjoying nature, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

It almost always quiets my mind and leaves me feeling refreshed.

Self-care ideas to unplug:

• Go on a walk outside – leave your phone behind.
• Read a comforting, thrilling, or uplifting book.
• Meet up with a friend you don’t see very often.
• Watch the sunset.
• Spend a weekend with your phone turned off and put away.

2. Self-care should engage my five senses.

Your body is meant to be utilized – to smell, taste, see, move, hear, dance, touch, feel, and rest.

My favorite self-care activities are a treat for my senses… whether they involve a tasty treat, a warm bath, a sweet-scented candle, or a cuddly blanket.

I also include moving my body and working with my hands as ways that engage my body and my senses.

Self- care ideas to engage your senses:

• Eat a favorite meal or treat without distractions – no scrolling on your phone or watching TV. 
• Bake homemade bread or fresh cookies.
• Pet a dog or hug a stuffed animal.
• Pick flowers and smell them.
• Walk barefoot in the grass or sand.
• Take a warm bath with scented bath salts.
• Close your eyes and listen to a playlist of songs you adore.
• Play with slime, Play-Doh, or kinetic sand.

3. Self-care encourages me to be creative.

My brain feels best when it’s doing more creating than consuming. 

Creative activities can be learning a new skill or developing one that you already have, such as crafting, painting, playing an instrument, or writing.

Even if you think you’re no good at creative-type activities – you don’t have to be.

The purpose of creating for the sake of self-care is simply to allow your brain to express itself.

Sometimes, creative self-care time doesn’t even have to involve a structured activity. Giving your mind opportunities to not be in a state of constant consumption IS helping it to be creative and think its own thoughts (that goes back to unplugging from your phone).

For me, self-care often looks like giving my mind space to wander so that creative ideas come to me.

Ideas to express creativity:

• Paint a picture without planning it out beforehand.
• Set a timer for 15 minutes and write without taking a break. You can write whatever is on your mind, or any story you want to tell.
• Learn a new skill.
• Redecorate or rearrange a room in your house.
• Handmake a gift for someone.
• Sit in a comfortable place and make up a story in your mind – choose a comforting setting and let it go from there.

4. Self-care should help me reflect on my life and feel grateful.

Sometimes doing something that is different, something outside of your regular routine, is enough to feel a difference in your life.

Self-care activities require you to be intentional – to make a choice to do something outside of the routine that you would normally have.

I especially like to treat these activities as opportunities to reflect on my life and how I feel about things.

No matter what the activity, feel grateful for it. Be kind to yourself and let yourself feel joy, wonder, and awe in what you’re experiencing, even if it’s just something small.

Ideas to self-reflect:

• Write in a gratitude journal.
• Talk to someone (a therapist or someone else) about 
• Choose an object that reminds you of something you’re proud of. Display it somewhere you’ll see it for a week.
• Make a vision board for what you hope to accomplish in the next few months.
• Spend ten minutes meditating.

How to implement these 4 foundations of self-care:

Now, here’s what you can do: Get out a piece of paper and write a list of self-care ideas that sound uplifting to you. Make sure you’re including ideas that satisfy each of these foundations (and remember, a lot of activities satisfy more than one of these qualifications).

Next, schedule time to do several self-care activities every week, making sure that you have things planned that involve each of the four foundations (unplugging, using your senses, creativity, and self-reflection).

Studies show that if you make plans to do an activity ahead of time, you’ll be much more likely to do it. Plan specifically what day and what time you’ll do the activity (and, if applicable, where).

For example, you might make a plan for the week that looks like this:

• Writing in gratitude journal every night at 10:30 pm (reflection time)
• Outdoor walk around the neighborhood without phone on Saturday at 9:00 am (unplugged time)
• Free watercoloring time on Thursday at 8:00 pm (creative time)
• Bake banana bread on Tuesday at 4:00 pm (sensory time)

You don’t necessarily have to plan 4 activities every week – you could do less, since some self-care activities obviously fulfill more than one foundation, or you could do more.

You could even plan out a self-care activity for every day – even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.

Making a plan to take care of yourself, then sticking to it and following through on that commitment is an important way to show yourself some love.

As you make integrating self-care practices into your life a priority, you might discover that you have your own foundations of self-care that can guide your choices.

You’ll discover what makes you feel more energized, centered, and grateful.

Whatever it is that works for you, make it a priority. You deserve it!

Best of luck!

Before You Go…

Looking for unique self-care ideas? Here are 6 creative self-care activities for when you need a pick-me-up.

Do you have a life you’re dreaming of? Learn how to incorporate elements of your dream life into your life NOW.

Want to learn how techniques to take control of your phone use and reclaim hours of time? Start here.