At work, your patience feels thinner than usual. You find yourself sounding short or abrupt with coworkers and counting the minutes until the day finally ends. When you get home, you change into your pajamas almost immediately. The laundry can wait. Instead, you sink into the couch and turn on the television. When your phone rings and your sister’s name appears on the screen, you let it go to voicemail. You simply do not have the emotional energy for conversation.
A quiet question begins to surface: What is going on with me?
It may be burnout. It may be compassion fatigue. In some cases, it could also be depression.
Depending on your situation, professional support may be needed. However, many people find that intentionally practicing self-care can help restore emotional and physical balance and prevent symptoms from worsening.
25 simple self-care ideas to help you reset
- Take short breaks during the day and practice slow, cleansing breaths
- Exercise
- Stay hydrated
- Journal
- Spend time with your support system
- Practice mindfulness
- Take a vacation—or even a short day trip
- Read a book
- Prioritize quality sleep
- Eat nourishing meals
- Garden
- Worship or pray
- Practice deep breathing
- Take a digital detox
- Go for a drive
- Dance to your favorite song
- Get a massage
- Take a nap
- Listen to music
- Plan a family game night
- Learn something new
- Work on a puzzle
- Organize a drawer or small space
- Take a bike ride
- Visit an animal shelter
Research shows that the most commonly reported self-care strategies are physical activity, social support, and engaging in enjoyable activities. Exercise, relaxation, physical health, and especially social support are associated with greater well-being (Hansson, Hilleras, & Forsell, 2005).
Reference
Hansson, A., Hilleras, P., & Forsell, Y. (2005). What kind of self-care strategies do people report using and is there an association with well-being? Social Indicators Research. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11205-004-0995-3