Soothing Self-Care Activities You May Not Have Thought Of

Guest Blog by:  Kristie Santana, founder of the National Coach Academy (NCA) in New York City

When we think of practicing self-care, we often refer to activities like spending the day at the spa, getting a make-over, or indulging in a little retail therapy to spoil ourselves. And while all of those activities are indeed a way to make ourselves feel better, they don’t necessarily get to the root of what self-care is: recognizing that we require our mind and body to function at a sustainable rate, focusing on what we really need, and finally stop attempting to be everything for everyone else . Think of self-care as more of a brave surrender to correcting the chaos in your life than an Instagram-worthy single act. It’s an ongoing, ever evolving series of kindnesses you give yourself so you feel at rest, at ease and at peace. 

Spend 15 Minutes Decluttering a Space in Your Home 

It’s a proven fact that excess clutter around a home causes unnecessary stress and anxiety. Clutter creates more to pick up and tidy; it makes it impossible to find anything (which makes parenting extremely stressful); and cluttered spaces have a sneaky and destructive way of making us feel guilty. But tackling these messes can feel overwhelming, so start small. Pull out your phone, snap a “before” shot of the messy area, and set a timer for 15 minutes. Have a recycle bin and trash bin nearby and get to work. When the timer goes off, snap an “after” shot and admire your handiwork. You can increase the time limit for larger spaces, but decluttering in smaller time increments can actually make you more productive, and the task feels less overwhelming.

Track the Unexpected Pleasures 

When we’re stuck in a cycle of negativity about ourselves or life in general, we miss those special moments that are gifted to us daily. It could be a phone call from a dear friend, or finding that favorite sweater during one of your decluttering sessions, or a sudden change in weather that brings the sunshine pouring into your home after weeks of rain. Keep a little journal out so you can jot these moments down, and on the days you’re feeling like every day is Groundhog Day, you’ll have a real-time reminder that the universe is still looking out for you.  

Create Something with Your Hands 

Self-care might be perceived as a passive activity, but that’s not necessarily the most effective way to approach it. Many of us are disconnected from or completely unfamiliar with our creative potential. Self-care is ultimately about forming new habits and patterns that put our physical and mental wellbeing at the forefront of our priorities. When was the last time you made something? Built something? Designed something? It could be working with clay, designing an urban herb garden for your balcony, or putting together a birdhouse so you can enjoy some bird watching from your kitchen window. Making art, in its myriad forms, is therapeutic, opens up those creative channels, and promotes a sense of pride in your potential. 

Clear the Social-Media Decks 

We spend an average of 145 minutes on social media every day! That’s a significant part of our day spent being exposed to and engaging in content that is potentially harmful for our mental health. Social media is a necessity for most of us. But amidst the funny memes, family photos, and addictive pages lie infinite negative influences. In order to avoid ending up down the inevitable social-media rabbit hole, throw on a timer, and hit up the platforms you dedicate the most time to. Comb through the individuals, brands and businesses that you follow, and ask yourself, “Do they contribute positively to my overall state of being?” Those algorithms are already preying upon us, throwing products and services into our feed based on who and what we follow. Take back some of your control, trim the negativity, scale back on the volume of pages you follow, and consider cutting back on your scrolling time. 

Hopefully, these few ideas have given you some more insight into what self-care can look like beyond baths, scented candles and meditation mantras. Your self-care activities will change and grow as you do. Be kind to yourself, be gentle, and try to be firm in your boundaries with others. 

  Kristie Santana is a certified life coach and devoted coaching advocate. She founded the National Coach Academy to help educate and inspire student coaches worldwide, and her latest project, Life Coach Path, continues her mission by guiding aspiring coaches through the often intimidating coach certification process. You can read their blog here.