If you’ve ever taken a day to relax at home, guilt-free from your usual busy schedule, you’ve practiced self-care. And if you’ve gotten up and brushed your teeth even when it felt like a challenge, that’s self-care, too.

In many ways, our bodies and minds are resilient, but there are limitations to the amount of energy we can emit before feeling depleted and burnt out. To replenish our energy sources, we can practice self-care to find balance in our physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health.

On first consideration, you might think of self-care as luxurious things like bubble baths, fancy meals, and spending money on a nice experience or vacation. But self-care is more commonly found in day-to-day acts, like folding your laundry, putting away the dishes, and not staying up too late. It is here, in the small acts, that self-care is the most impactful, even if it doesn't seem grand.

If you're looking for small ways to refill your cup, try incorporating these acts into your life:

• Grab some fresh air on a walk outside.
• Set aside enough time for quality rest.
• Drink a big glass of water.
• Get some sun, even for just a few minutes.
• Eat a nourishing meal.
• Read something that brings joy or inspiration.
• Listen to music.
• Write in a journal.
• Practice your hobby without pressure to be productive.
• Watch a movie that makes you laugh.
• Give yourself permission to say “no.”
• Take a break from social media.
• Text a friend just to say hi.
• Spend time with a pet.
• Visit friends or family.
• Volunteer or perform a small act of kindness.
• Take a few minutes to practice quieting the mind.
• Reflect on your values or what brings you a sense of purpose.
• Engage in prayer or spiritual reading, if aligned with your beliefs.
• Create a calming environment.
• Practice grounding techniques when you feel overwhelmed.

Although this is not an exhaustive list, it offers a starting point for taking caring actions toward yourself in daily life. Self-care can take many forms, and over time, you might find unique and creative ways to care for yourself based on your specific needs. When practiced regularly, these simple habits can have a significant impact on your overall well-being and help you craft balance and harmony in your life.

To learn more about mental health topics, visit https://www.carelonwellbeing.com/cvt.

Or explore more information on self-care from CredibleMind.

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/topics/self-care?query=

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/insights/how-to-change-your-habits-to-promote-self-care

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/articles/the-power-of-sustainable-self-care

https://cvt.crediblemind.com/videos/beyond-bubble-baths-the-real-meaning-of-self-care