40 Self-Care Ideas- When Your World Seems Chaotic
- Have a good, long, body-shaking cry
- Call a friend or family member and talk it out
- Book a session with a counsellor
- Take a mental health day
- When you’re going through life’s trials and tribulations, soften your expectations of yourself and others
- Curl with good book and a freshly laundered fleece blanket
- Head to Mackenzie Art Gallery and take in some really gorgeous pieces of art
- Head outside into the sunshine for a nature walk, I recommend Wascana Valley Trails
- Turn on some upbeat tunes and get your body moving!
- Take a long, hot bath, light a candle and pamper yourself
- Write, knit, paint, sculpt, cook, bake. Engage your hands!
- Exhaust yourself physically – Go for a run, try some yoga, swim, whatever helps you feel fatigued
- Create a list of 10 of things you’ve overcome and accomplished
- Create a list of 10 reasons why you’re an awesome and loveable person
- Create a list of 10 things that make your life beautiful
- Clean up a room in your house, sometimes tidying up can help calm and clear our heads
- Go out and be around others. You don’t have to engage, but find a quiet corner in a coffee shop and soak up the humanity around you.
- Buy yourself some flowers
- Volunteer with a local non-profit, like Family Service Regina to assist with planning an event or pet the puppies at Regina Humane Society or become a foster parent to a Rescue Dog
- Spend a few hours in a bookstore and read some spiritual literature
- Scream, pound pillows, tear up paper, shake your body to move the energy out
- Take a long drive down some dirt roads
- Eat your favorite, most comforting foods
- Go to a church or spiritual community service
- Fantasize about what you’re hoping or longing for. There are clues and energy in your reveries and daydreams that are worth paying attention to
- Listen to some calm and relaxing sounds to soothe you
- Buy and colour in an adult coloring book
- Revisit an old hobby, try your hand at things you used to enjoy and see where that leads you
- Put down the self-help books and pick up some good old fashioned fiction
- Remind yourself: Your only job right now is to put one foot in front of the other
- Get dirty. If you have a garden, do some gardening. Learn more about horticulture during events at Regina Horticulture Society
- Seek help. Whether it’s through Counselling Services, visiting a psychiatrist or a Clergy- let those trained to support you do it
- Educate yourself about what you’re going through. Learn about what you’re facing, what you can expect to feel, and how you can support yourself during this time
- Establish a routine. Routines can bring comfort and ground you during the times that feel chaotic or out of control
- Get up early and watch a sunrise or head outside in the evening and watch the sunset
- Make your own list of self-soothing activities that engage all five of your senses
- Accompany a friend or family member while they run errands
- Try a new restaurant and order something you’ve never had
- Pray. Meditate. Write a letter to God/The Universe/Source/Your Higher-Self, whatever you believe in.
- As much as you can, please try and trust the process.
Finally, remember, what you’re going through right now is temporary. It may not feel like that from your perspective right now, but this too shall pass.