Choose your favorites from this list or come up with your own to create a self-care plan. Remember to choose activities that care for the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Post it somewhere that you can easily see your options when you need them! You’re doing great and you got this!
Punch a punching bag or pillow
Go for a run or jog
Get a change of scenery; leave the house for a few minutes to get some fresh air
Close the door to your room, put on some music and dance it out
Lift weights
Journal your feelings
Scream into a pillow
Pull weeds, shovel snow, chop wood
Take some diaphragmatic breaths: Take a deep breath in, hold it for just a second, purse your lips, slowly exhale like you are blowing bubbles through a straw, keep going until all of the air is out of your lungs, repeat. 7-8x’s would be ideal but any number will reduce feelings of stress
Make yourself perfectly comfy™: Get a big cozy blanket, warm sweats or pajamas, socks, pets, stuffed animals, pillows, and/or heating pad. Spend time getting yourself as comfortable as possible and just enjoy the feeling
Make yourself a cup of tea or hot cocoa and really appreciate the warmth and smell
Spend quality time with a pet
Stretch your body or watch a yoga video on Youtube
Mindfully eat some dark chocolate or your favorite snack. Slow down and close your eyes to really notice and appreciate all of the complex flavors
Take a nap
Pray or meditate
Get yummy takeout
Watch funny Tik-Tok’s, Youtube videos, or shows on Netflix (in moderation)
Do some grooming – hot bath/shower, trim nails/push back cuticles, face mask, put on some lotion, apply lip balm
Massage your face and jawline – this is a highly underrated activity!
Read a book or listen to an audio book - the Onedrive app lets you download free audio books or e-books from the Lake or Porter Co. library
Take a virtual tour of a museum
Take free college courses on the Coursera app
Listen to a podcast that is intellectually stimulating for you
Learn to knit, crochet, or sew
Pick up drawing, painting, or making a collage. Do it just for the enjoyment; don’t judge your creations!
Do a crossword, sudoku, or jigsaw puzzle
Learn a new skill from a Youtube tutorial
Talk to a friend or family member on the phone or better yet Facetime/Zoom
Play online games with a friend: Words with Friends, Wordstreak with Friends, Chess with Friends, Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers
Attend an online church service, meditation group, bible study, or other spiritual gathering
Attend an interesting webinar on the subject of your choice
Talk to people when you do day-to-day activities such as grocery shopping. Studies show that connecting with others, though it may feel awkward at first, is very beneficial to our mood and well-being. Talk to your cashier!
Go for a hike, spend time in nature – try visiting a new community, state, or national park
Take photos in nature with your phone--pay attention to the small details often overlooked
Get involved in a citizen science project: Download the iNaturalist app and upload photos of insects, leaves, and flowers and experts can help you identify what you find. Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count or Hoosier Riverwatch Project
Make a unique snow sculpture
Put up a birdfeeder and watch the birds/squirrels (they can be surprisingly entertaining)
Plant a garden or amass an army of houseplants
Plan a trip that you can take in the future when it’s safe
Cook a favorite meal or try a new recipe
Sell something you don’t need on eBay or Facebook Marketplace
Listen to some happy, upbeat music
Make a vision board collage
Have a “theme night” with your family/housemates
Work on your car, truck, or motorcycle
Write your “Bucket List”
“Hot Ones” challenge
Recreate a theatre experience at home: Make popcorn, candy, dim the lights, turn up the sound
Clean or organize your house. Donate, toss, or recycle what you don’t need
Get alone time! It’s harder than ever to get precious, restorative time alone. If you need to you can spend time listening to music in your car or use it as a makeshift office
Make a budget for yourself
Decorate your space: Put up photos of friends you miss, posters of places you love, prints by favorite artists, or your own art. Our surroundings can greatly impact our mood
Indiana University Northwest resources and social media channels
