Last updated: October 2026
Self-care means small, regular things that look after your body and mind. Good self-care ideas include a morning walk in daylight, an early night, a phone-free evening, a warm bath, cooking a proper meal, calling a friend, journaling and saying no to one thing. Pick two or three you’ll actually do and build them into your week.
Below: 50 self-care ideas sorted by type, quick 5-minute ideas, self-care for busy people, a weekly plan, and what self-care isn’t.
What is self-care?
Self-care is anything you do on purpose to look after your physical and mental health. It’s less about spa days and more about the basics: sleep, food, movement, rest and people. The NHS’s 5 steps to mental wellbeing are a good framework: connect with others, be physically active, learn new skills, give to others, and pay attention to the present moment.
5-minute self-care ideas
- Step outside and look at the sky
- Drink a glass of water
- Stretch your neck, shoulders and back
- Do 10 slow breaths with a longer out-breath
- Write down 3 things that went well today
- Text someone you love
- Put your phone in another room
- Make your bed or clear one surface
50 self-care ideas by type
| Type | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Body | A brisk walk; a stretch; a swim; a yoga video; dancing in the kitchen; a proper breakfast; cooking with vegetables; drinking more water; a massage; an early night |
| Mind | Journaling; reading a book; a puzzle; learning something new; a podcast walk; a museum trip; a creative hobby; listening to an album start to finish; a gratitude list; a brain dump before bed |
| Rest | A nap of 20 minutes; a phone-free evening; a warm bath; a lie-in; dimming the lights after 9pm; a cosy film; doing nothing for 10 minutes; changing your bedding; a slow Sunday morning; a cup of tea outside |
| People | Calling a friend; a walk with someone; a family meal; a thank-you note; a coffee date; joining a club; volunteering; helping a neighbour; playing a game; saying how you feel |
| Boundaries | Saying no to one thing; muting a group chat; turning off email at a set time; unfollowing accounts that make you feel worse; planning your week; taking your lunch break; a no-plans weekend; asking for help; leaving work on time; cutting back on alcohol |
Evening self-care routine
- An hour before bed, dim the lights and put screens away.
- Write tomorrow’s to-do list so your mind can let go.
- Have a warm bath or shower.
- Make a warm, caffeine-free drink. Try our healthy hot chocolate.
- Read a few pages of a paper book.
Our Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex is a cosy evening hot chocolate, the Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex is a berry bedtime drink, and the CBD Balm is lovely for a slow shoulder or foot massage. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function. See sleep hygiene.
Self-care when you’re busy
- Stack it: stretch while the kettle boils, call a friend on your walk.
- Protect your sleep first. Everything else is harder without it.
- Schedule it like a meeting, even 15 minutes.
- Lower the bar: a 10-minute walk still counts.
If you’re running on empty, see burnout symptoms and stress symptoms.
A simple weekly self-care plan
| Day | Self-care |
|---|---|
| Monday | Morning walk in daylight |
| Tuesday | Cook a proper meal |
| Wednesday | Phone-free evening |
| Thursday | Call or see a friend |
| Friday | Alcohol-free night and an early bed |
| Saturday | Time outdoors or something creative |
| Sunday | Plan the week and have a bath. See the Sunday scaries |
Want a December version? Try our wellness advent calendar.
What self-care isn’t
Self-care isn’t about spending money, being perfect or avoiding problems. Sometimes it’s the boring stuff: booking a GP appointment, paying a bill, or asking for help. If you’re struggling to cope, speak to your GP, or adults in England can refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies.
FAQs
What are some self-care ideas?
A daily walk, an early night, a phone-free evening, a warm bath, cooking a proper meal, calling a friend, journaling and saying no to one thing.
What are the 5 types of self-care?
Common groupings are physical, mental, emotional, social and practical self-care, such as setting boundaries and planning.
How do I start a self-care routine?
Pick two or three small things you’ll actually do, attach them to existing habits, and build up from there.
What is a good self-care night routine?
Dim the lights, put screens away, write tomorrow’s list, have a warm bath and a caffeine-free drink, and read a book.
Is self-care selfish?
No. Looking after your sleep, health and mood makes it easier to look after the people and things that matter to you.
Sources
- NHS. 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
- NHS. How to fall asleep faster and sleep better.
- NHS. 10 stress busters.
Evopure makes the Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex, Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex and CBD Balm. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
