10 Simple Self-Care Ideas To Help You Unwind And Put Yourself First

By Wei Yin on 21 Aug 2020

Digital Editor

An INFP who enjoys watching sappy Korean dramas in her free time. Good food and cute dogs are all she needs.

Self-care is so important as it produces positive feelings that will boost your self-esteem. It's also the best way to remind yourself to acknowledge your needs and that it's not selfish to put yourself first.

Here are 10 simple self-care ideas to help you unwind to keep yourself motivated and healthy.

Read on to find out more!

#1 Clean up your room/give your bedroom a makeover

Photo from Pinterest

A cluttered and messy bedroom is going to make you feel more frustrated! When you clean up the space you spend the most time in, you will feel tidy and organised which produces positive feelings in return.

If you have always wanted to give your bedroom a makeover, now is the time to start too! Here are some bedroom decor ideas: nine affordable items for an aesthetic bedroom, how to create a floral wall, cosy colour palettes for bedrooms and 10 easy steps to get a Korean-style bedroom.

#2 Read a book

Photo from Pinterest

Reading calms you down and has the ability to transport you to another world with just words! Take a few minutes or hours out of your hectic day to read your favourite book and unplug from the world.

If you are not into fictional books, there are many other self help books out there that will motivate you.

#3 Replicate a spa day at home

Photo from Unsplash

There's no better way to pamper yourself than to replicate a spa day in the comfort of your own home. Light some scented candles, put on a sheet mask, paint your nails and just sit back and relax!

#4 Work out

Photo from Pinterest

Exercising stimulates brain chemicals that leave you feeling happier and more relaxed and this reduces stress in return.

Those who have always liked exercising should continue doing so but for those who simply hate working out, here are some simple exercises to consider doing: 5-minute ab workouts, beginner-friendly dumbbell workouts and relaxing stretching exercises for higher quality sleep.

#5 Journaling

Photo from Unsplash

Journaling helps you to track symptoms, prioritise concerns and lets you learn ways to better control them. Apart from letting you identify what's bothering you, it's also a safe space for you to organise your thoughts.

Here are some journaling prompts to take inspiration from:

Write down three things you are grateful for.
Where do you see yourself in six months or a year?
What advice would you give your younger self?
What does happiness mean to you?
What are some of your best qualities?

#6 Put your phone on airplane mode

Photo from Pinterest

Go on a digital detox even if it's just for a few hours! Put your phone on airplane mode so that notifications and social media won't be able to distract you from focusing on yourself. Lesser screen time also results in better sleep and improved brain function.

#7 Get plenty of sleep

Photo from Pinterest

Gone are those days when we used to hate taking naps as children because any extra time to sleep is a blessing now! Recharge during the weekends by sleeping in or sleeping earlier. But make sure not to overdo it as it can result in you feeling even more groggy and tired.

#8 Cuddle with pets

Photo from The Cat Cafe

A cute dog or cat will surely put a smile on your face so cuddling with your pets is definitely a form of self-care. If you don't have pets, there is a new cat cafe at Bukit Timah with 11 rescue kitties to play with!

Otherwise, you can always consider adopting a cat from these five places in Singapore or keep these in mind when considering adopting a dog.

#9 Cook yourself a meal

Photo from Pinterest

Cooking is therapeutic and encourages creativity. Even if you can't cook to save your life, try making yourself a meal by following recipes and you will feel satisfied when the end product turns out great. Plus, eating is often a stress reliever for many people so cook yourself a scrumptious meal to enjoy!

#10 Give yourself a massage

Photo from 石井亜美AmiIshii via YouTube

Giving yourself a massage doesn't sound like the most relaxing thing but there are many simple massages that are doable by yourself and will help you feel and look better.

You can get slimmer calves using a water bottle massage technique and get a slimmer jawline with these easy facial massages!