Do you feel stuck when it comes to creating a self-care routine?
You know that self-care is important, and you want to dedicate some time to practising self-care. You’ve read all the articles with ideas about self-care activities – but none of the self-care ideas really appeal to you.
Self-care is all about taking action to protect and preserve your health and well-being – and it’s as individual are you are.
The self-care routine that works for your sister or best friend or the celebrity on Instagram won’t necessarily work for you.
However, there is a way to create a personalized self-care routine that does work. One that relaxes, recharges and revives you.
Read on to find out how…
The key to an effective self-care routine – one that boosts your wellbeing – is knowing yourself.
You can find your self-care sweet spot and create an effective personalized self-care routine by answering the following self-care prompts.
These questions are designed to help you identify the practical actions you can take to boost your wellbeing.
So grab a notebook or piece of paper and a pen, and answer the following prompts.
Some answers may come quickly and easily. Others you may have to think more deeply about.
You may also find that there is more than one answer to a particular question – write down everything that comes into your head.
31 Self-Care Routine Prompts
If I had more time in my day I would spend it …
I would love to learn how to …
I would love to do more …
My favourite people to chat to are …
I am most focused when I …
I feel creative when I …
My favourite things to do on a hot day are …
My favourite things to do when it rains are …
My favourite things to do on a cold day are …
3 things that energize me are …
3 things that relax me are …
I feel physically strong when I …
I feel mentally strong when I …
I feel organized when I …
I feel calm when I …
I feel happy when I …
I feel accomplished when I …
A warm drink that comforts me is …
A cool drink that refreshes me is …
3 foods (or recipes) that nourish me are …
I feel recharged when I …
3 things that make me laugh are …
I look forward to doing …
I can talk about anything with …
I don’t notice the passing of time when I …
I feel productive when I …
I enjoy planning …
I love the smell of …
I love the sight of …
I love the sound of …
I sleep more soundly when I …
Take a look back at the answers you’ve given to these prompts.
You’ve discovered the specific actions you can take that will help to protect and preserve your physical and mental wellbeing.
You’ve identified:
- people to spend time with
- activities to help you feel calmer, happier, organized and accomplished
- food and drink to nourish you
- movement to energize you
- new hobbies to explore, or old passions to get back to
These are the activities to incorporate into your self-care routine.
These are the unique actions you can take to recharge, revitalize, relax and refresh you.
You’ll notice that the type of self-care actives you’ve identified fall under 6 different categories:
- Move your body
- Get creative
- Get organized
- Connect with others
- Slow down
- Plan ahead
Aim to incorporate at least one of these actives into your daily routine and at least one from all six categories over the course of a week.
Read more: Self-care: What it is and why you need it