10 Self-Care At-Home DIY Methods

Self-care may seem like a term that has been coined to give an excuse to indulge in frivolous activities, but it’s actually a useful tool to help promote wellness and health within yourself. And it’s actually more of a necessity than you may think.

While the term self-care became popular recently, it traces back to the mid 19th century. When you think of self-care, you may think face masks, mani-pedis and treating yourself in any way. However, there are many things that could serve as self-care that you may not initially think of. And while some of the things associated with self-care may seem like overindulgence, self-care is critical to your well-being—and studies show that we don’t partake in self-care enough.

But creating and prioritizing a self-care routine is very critical to your well-being. If you’re not sure where to start or how to implement self-care into your day-to-day, here are some easy DIY self-care methods you can do at home.

Schedule Self-Care Time

First things first: You need to cut out some time for your self-care routine. Start with 30 minutes three days a week and increase or decrease as you desire!

Dress Up...Around the House

When you are spending time around the house, what’s your go-to outfit? Probably sweatpants or gym gear, right? Well, studies show that how you feel correlates closely to what you are wearing. So next time you’re staying inside, prioritize some flattering plus size tops instead of baggy sweatshirts so you can feel like the bombshell you are. If you are wearing clothing that fits loosely on your body while you are lounging around at home, consider curvy girl dresses to keep you feeling cute and beautiful.

Prioritize Exercise

Do you exercise regularly? If not, you may be missing out on a really important part of self-care. Don’t know where to start? Try yoga. This exercise is all about challenging your physical and spiritual abilities, and there are many guided practices that are readily available on YouTube. That means you could implement yoga into your routine tonight!

Get Organized

If your closet or kitchen has you stressed out every day, that wear and tear on your mental state could have a huge impact on your happiness. Self-care is all about attending to every one of your needs so that you maintain the most optimal mental state—even if that means purging old clothes from your closet or cleaning your kitchen. If there is a particular room or area in your living space, give it some TLC and notice how much better you feel after it’s organized.

Get Lost in a Good Book

It can be so easy to get swallowed up by all of the things you have to deal with on a daily basis–from work to your social life. Set aside a half-hour to an hour to escape into a book of your choice. Diving into a book will give you a mental reset, and you may emerge from your reading feeling refreshed. Tip: If you have a dilemma on your hands or are trying to figure out a complicated problem that’s weighing heavily on you, read a book! You may be able to learn a new perspective, which will put your mind at ease. Boom, self-care!

Skincare Is Self-Care

If your idea of self-care revolves around face masks and painting your nails, you’re not wrong. Sometimes a good face mask or mani-pedi will have you feeling prioritized by yourself, and that’s what self-care is all about. Self-care is supposed to make you feel good about yourself, and if your skincare routine does that, then the goal has been achieved.

Meditate

Don’t be intimidated! Meditation could be as easy as lying down with soothing sounds playing in the background as you let your mind wander. Meditation could be great for relaxing or manifesting your future. If you’re not familiar with meditating, start by getting comfortable in a quiet space and prepare to sit still. Focus on your breathing and take notice of when you are inhaling and exhaling. Place a hand on your belly and inhale and exhale for two minutes, focusing on your breath the entire time. The goal is to keep your focus on your breath. If your mind wanders, that’s okay! Practice this step over and over until you feel like you have mastered just focusing on your breath. You can also lie down and let your mind wander, too.

Dinner for One

If you enjoy cooking, try creating a new recipe. Set the table as if you are dining out at a restaurant. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy the meal you just crafted. Cooking for yourself can be rewarding because you get to make exactly what you’re craving and don’t have to compromise on the cuisine.

Netflix and Self-Care

You’ve had a busy week, so if you want to binge-watch a new show or your favorite movie, go for it. Sometimes all you need is to just kick back and get lost in a new story line.

Dance it Out

Do you have a playlist that makes you want to break out into dance when you play it? Set aside 15 minutes each day to dance. Not only will this get your blood flowing and have you feeling confident, but it can also help you express and move through your emotions. If you’re having a rough day, turn on your sad music. If you feel like getting an extra dose of confidence, turn on the tunes that make you want to shake it.

When you’re on an airplane and the flight attendants are going over the safety protocols, they tell passengers to place an oxygen mask on themselves before assisting others. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you may not be able to take care of other people in need around you. This is why self-care is so important. In order to fill the glasses of others, you must make sure you’re pouring from a full glass yourself!