200 Activities of Self-Care
Make time for yourself.
Making time for yourself will make you feel less rushed, less stressed, and more able to be present in the moments that you want to be.
There are endless possibilities to add to your daily self-care routine. Whatever things you choose, select at least 3 of them in a week, and do just that thing while you are doing it. Do not multi-task. If you only have time for a 3-minute activity, that’s fine. Hopefully you can work up to a whole hour of doing something pleasurable for yourself.
If you’re having trouble deciding what to try, here are 200 activities we’ve divided into the following categories:
Relaxation
Relaxation
1
Digital detox for one hour (turn phone off or onto airplane mode)
2
Soak in the bathtub
3
Sleep; take a nap
4
Light candles
5
Spend five minutes stretching (yin yoga)
6
Explore aromatherapy
7
Try acupuncture
8
Go to church; pray
9
Read a magazine or a book
10
Meditate
11
Paced Breathing
12
5 senses activity
Entertainment
1
Go see a movie
2
Listen to your favorite music
3
Go to a play, musical or concert
4
Listen to live music
5
Watch or attend a sporting event
6
Watch a series or movie in your house
7
Go sightseeing (even if it’s somewhere in your town you’ve been before) Ex: aquarium, zoo, museum, or art galleries
8
Take a mini road trip to a neighboring town you’ve never been to
9
Shoot pool/Play billiards
10
Play computer, phone, or old-fashioned games
11
Surf the internet
12
Play a card game
Physical Activity
1
Walk
2
Take an exercise class like pilates, jiu jitsu, or spin
3
Start a running routine using Couch to 5k
4
Go to the gym
5
Swim
6
Play sports such as volleyball, tennis, or golf
7
Dance – ballet, tap, jazz, salsa
8
Go bowling
9
Practice yoga
Connection
1
Call a friend or family member
2
Use the Virta community to connect with other patients
3
Message your Virta Health Coach
4
Host family get-togethers/reunion
5
Plan or go to a party
6
Go on a date
7
Join similar interests (ie, church group, knitting club, golf league ) or support group
8
Host a game night
9
Play Bingo
10
Join (or start!) a book club
11
Skype or video chat with non-local relatives or friends
12
Have brunch, lunch or dinner with a friend/partner/children
13
Plan a ladies or boys night out
14
Go on a double date
15
Go to a networking event
16
Request an informational interview with somebody you admire
17
Spend time with elderly
18
Volunteer at a homeless shelter
19
Pay someone a compliment
20
Pay it forward to someone (ie, buy someone’s coffee)
21
Reconnect with an old friend
22
Write and send a letter or email
23
Send a care package to somebody you love
24
Do activity with children
25
Play with pets
26
Use an online app to meet new people in your area
(for dating, professional networking or new friends)
(for dating, professional networking or new friends)
Food
1
Cook/Bake
2
Try a new recipe
3
Meal prep/Cook meals to freeze for when you are short on time
4
Go to a restaurant you’ve never tried before
5
Grill food
6
Have a barbecue
7
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee
8
Take a cooking class
9
Create a keto friendly pinterest board
10
Start a book of your favorite recipes
11
People watch at a cafe or park
12
Bring a book to a cafe or bar
13
Try a new food/cuisine
14
Practice mindful eating
Outdoors
1
Go camping (even if just in your backyard!)
2
Make a snowman
3
Go sledding
4
Go to the beach
5
Go snowshoeing or skiing
6
Go birdwatching
7
Sailing/boating
8
Go hiking
9
Go for a scenic drive
10
Visit your local botanical gardens
11
Go skydiving
12
Fly a kite
13
Travel to national parks
14
Go fishing
15
Garden
16
Pick flowers
17
Ride a motorbike/scooter
18
Go on a bike ride
19
Walk on the riverfront
20
Skip rocks at a nearby lake
21
Stargaze or go cloud-watching
22
Go horseback riding
23
Go rock climbing
24
Go to the dog park
25
Canoe or whitewater raft
26
Play mini-golf/Top golf
27
Go on a picnic
28
Go to the park
29
Watch the sunrise or sunset
30
Travel abroad, interstate, or within the state
Creativity/Hobbies
1
Sketch or paint
2
Doodle/Color/Draw; get an adult coloring book
3
Start a band or singing group
4
Do embroidery, cross stitching, or sew
5
Play a musical instrument
6
Make a gift for someone
7
Do arts and crafts
8
Make a playlist
9
Write a book, article, or poem
10
Arrange flowers
11
Sing around the house or in the shower
12
Hobbies (stamp collecting, model building, etc.)
13
Play with clay or playdough
14
Knitting/crocheting/quilting
15
Create a scrapbook or photo album