Guide

Self care ideas

Self care is anything small and regular that helps you feel looked after: a glass of water, a walk, a tidy bench, a text to a friend. These twenty five ideas are grouped by body, mind, space and people. Pick two or three, not all of them.

Updated 21 October 2026. Sources named on the page.

Twenty five ideas in four groups
Two minutes to an hour
How to make them stick
A free checklist to print

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Body

Drink a glass of water. Go for a ten minute walk. Stretch for a few minutes. Go to bed twenty minutes earlier. Eat a proper breakfast. Wash your face and put on clean clothes. Sit in the sun for a short while.

Mind

Write three lines in a journal. Take five slow breaths. Switch your phone off for an hour. Read a few pages of a book. Listen to a full song with nothing else on. Write down what is on your mind, then close the page.

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Space

Tidy one surface. Open a window. Change your sheets. Put a plant or a picture where you will see it. Clear the bag or the car. Do one small job you have been avoiding.

People

Text someone you have not spoken to. Ask for a hug. Say no to one thing you do not want to do. Have a meal with someone. Tell someone what you appreciate about them.

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Make them stick

Pick two or three and attach them to something you already do: water with your first drink, a walk after lunch, three journal lines before bed. A short list you do beats a long one you plan.

A note on limits

Self care is not a replacement for help. If you are struggling for more than a couple of weeks, or you feel unsafe, talk to a doctor or a support service.

Questions

What are some easy self care ideas?

A glass of water, a short walk, three lines in a journal, a tidy surface or a text to a friend.

How often should I do self care?

A small thing every day beats a big thing now and then. Choose two or three and make them regular.

Does self care cost money?

Most of the useful ones are free: sleep, water, a walk, time with someone, a tidy room.

Is there a self care checklist?

Yes. The self care checklist printable here is a free one page weekly grid.

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