50 Ways To Practice Self-Care When You Have Little Time

Monday, August 03, 2020

AD - This post contains gifted items and affiliate links, but all opinions are my own

Self-care is really important to practice, especially for your mental health. There are so many ways to practice self-care and look after your mind, it's about knowing what works for you! Here are 50 ways you can practice self-care in just 15 minutes! I wanted to show you that you don't need a lot of time to look after yourself. Everyone can find 15 minutes to take a breather and do something relaxing!


Self-care can mean a lot of things, and it can be different for everyone. Self-care is the practice of looking after one's mind to improve mental health. It is where you take an active role in protecting your wellbeing, and there are several ways you can do this. It is where you look after yourself both physically and mentally, forming healthy habits. There are lots of definitions of what self-care is, but it can mean different things to different people. 

It can be hard to make time for yourself, especially when there seems to be a never-ending list of things to do. There isn't always time to take a shopping or spa trip. With lockdown, a lot of things still haven't reopened. Everyone can spare 15 minutes a day to practice self-care. All of these things can be done in 15 minutes or less and take little to no effort!

Why Should You Practice Self-Care?


Self-care looks after your mind and your body, so if that isn't a good enough reason, I don't know what is! If that doesn't convince you, here are some other reasons you should practice self-care:

  • It allows you to relax when times are stressful
  • You learn to enjoy and appreciate the little things more
  • You learn more about yourself and your body
  • It allows you to have some fun
  • You can learn a new hobby or skill
  • It takes care of your mental health & wellbeing
  • You become more in sync with yourself

50 Ways To Practice Self-Care


  1. Make your bed in the morning
  2. Clean your teeth & brush your hair
  3. Take a long hot bath with bath bombs
  4. Fill in some online surveys to make some money
  5. Sing and dance around to music
  6. Cuddle with your pet or loved one
  7. Take a blogging course
  8. Start a mini garden or terrarium
  9. Listen to a podcast
  10. Write down some positive affirmations
  11. Bake something delicious
  12. Paint your nails
  13. Read some of your favourite bloggers' posts
  14. Catch up with an old friend or family member 
  15. Write a thank-you note to someone you appreciate
  16. Read a book (Here are some young adult book suggestions!)
  17. Write down 10 things you're grateful for
  18. Take a quick nap
  19. Lay on the grass and watch the clouds
  20. Do something you keep putting off
  21. Buy yourself some flowers (Use my link and get £10 off your order!)
  22. Declutter an area of your room
  23. Try some breathing exercises
  24. Clean out your emails & unsubscribe from spam
  25. Drink water!
  26. Make yourself a warm drink
  27. Treat yourself to something sweet (The box has bubbles and chocolate for you to enjoy!)
  28. Try a HIIT workout or yoga session
  29. Write a positive letter to yourself
  30. Start a bullet journal (Here are some fun spread ideas you could try!)
  31. Try some adult colouring
  32. Treat yourself to something you really want
  33. Burn some scented candles
  34. Create a bucket list
  35. Plan an amazing holiday or weekend away
  36. Watch a film, series or documentary
  37. Call someone you miss
  38. Lay under the stars and look for constellations
  39. Do something kind for someone
  40. Order a takeaway for you to enjoy
  41. Try a crafting project on Pinterest
  42. Research and learn about something new 
  43. Apologise to someone you hurt
  44. Create a feel-good playlist
  45. Take pictures of the things you like
  46. Go for a quick run
  47. Play a game on your phone, PC or games console
  48. Try a puzzle or brain training activity
  49. Try meditation
  50. Make your own self-care pamper kit!

That is a long list, but if none of those suits you, don't forget that self-care is a personal thing. Do something that relaxes you and makes you happy. Thank you to Anaphase for this amazing gift box. I have enjoyed giving myself some me time! If you fancy pampering yourself, why not get yourself a box! What are your favourite self-care activities? Let me know in the comments how you like to treat yourself! 


You Might Also Like

59 comments

  1. This is awesome post, I do half of the things you wrote here. Will practice brain training activities

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great - I am glad you're looking after yourself! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  2. Thanks for all the amazing self-care ideas. I'm a huge advocate for self-care, and I think that gift box would make such a lovely gift for anyone in need of a bit of pampering x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a really cute idea! Quite affordable for what you get as well. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  3. Lovely collection and the photos, I love the idea
    of mini garden and meditation..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they're really sweet ways to self-care. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  4. Getting a self-care box delivered to your door sounds like a good idea! I hope you're enjoying your goodies and thanks for these simple tips to look after ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was really fun to open! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  5. Nice post. I like all your self care tips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  6. Great post! Thank you for these tips! I love having self care days!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  7. That's such an amazing box for just £25! I'd be SO happy if someone gifted me that. I think it'd make a lovely self care gift for someone who's perhaps going through a hard time :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  8. So many goods in this box. Practicing self care is so important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  9. Great ideas Em i had not thought about some of these, thank you for sharing these great self-care ideas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  10. That's a great post! Self-care is always the best choice to get over everyday hassles.Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  11. Baking is a fantastic way to practice self-care! Thank you for sharing your many ideas :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love baking! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  12. I guess I checked 60% from this amazing list. Does that mean I do appreciate myself enough? Noted down the other points, will try to do some them too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good! Well done for doing so many things. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  13. Great list! I'd love to give the box a try but I'm in the US and I don't know if they ship out of country.

    XO Steoh
    shortstuffblog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure there are lots of US based boxes too! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  14. That pamper package is so cute! Self care is extremely important and it's awesome you put together this list. I need to work on doing some of the things on this list myself. Thanks for sharing!

    Deandra| theblackprincessdiaries.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. The pamper box is so cute. I already practice half of these. Self-care is so important

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  16. This is such a great list. I love decluttering my home, it makes me feel so much better. That goodie box looks amazing and well worth the money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  17. Oh that Anaphase box looks so good!! I love that there are so many different items in there :)
    I love the list, I always start my day by making the bed so if that's all I do that day, I've at least achieved one thing :) xx

    Holly | www.gollymissholly.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was such a lovely little box! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  18. I LOVE these ideas! Self care is so important and so much fun too. I'm going to make sure I give these a go over the coming weeks x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  19. Thank you for sharing this. I'm all about self care now as well as building routines. This is a good way to build a daily and weekly routine. Also, I've never heard of Annaphase before. I may have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are a lovely little brand! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  20. I'm a huge fan of self-care - your list is great! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  21. That box is absolutely gorgeous- got to have chocolate for a pamper night! Your list was lush too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  22. Totally agree. Reading, spending time in the garden, meditation and having a pamper session are my go to self-care strategies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  23. Love this list! I have started making my bed every morning and I am so surprised how much of a mood boost it is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  24. My partner has found comfort in listening to pod casts, as they've been finding the lockdown really hard to cope with

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Podcasts are amazing things. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  25. Love these ideas, especially the call someone you miss!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A friendly voice can make all the difference. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  26. Hey Em. What a fantastic list. Some I already do, some I'm going to do, others I'll give a miss (painting my nails isn't really me! :-) )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why not! I'm sure you'd look fab ;)

      Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  27. What a fantastic list! Self care is so important - especially in the middle of a pandemic. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  28. This looks great! I think many people have a habit of seeing self care as some elaborate and complicated thing when really it can be so simple - part of your day to day activities! Personally, my favourite self-care is my morning cup of tea or coffee outside on the back deck in the sun. It's only 20 min of my day, but it's MY 20 min.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 20 minutes is all you need sometimes to make everything better! Thank you for reading & taking the time to comment :)

      Em x

      Delete
  29. Thanks for sharing, self care is so important, great ideas :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

    ReplyDelete
  30. This is a long list, and I can find a lot of my favorites on this list. The gift box looks wonderful. I wish to receive this as a gift someday. Bath bombs are new to me. Love to try that. Is it available as a single piece for purchase? Thanks for the detailed list.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love this post! These are great suggestions for self care. I blog a lot about self care myself and these are awesome ways to take care of yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I really like this list! So many little ideas that sometimes we don't come up with on our own. Thanks for sharing!

    Giulia, tidibitsofcare.com

    ReplyDelete