Self-care has been a hot topic for some time now, but especially with pandemic lockdowns and social distancing, showing yourself a little love has become a top deal.
Anxiety and mental health problems are on the rise as people are confined to their own four walls – of home and mind – and many are experiencing feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, exhaustion, or simply the Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday blues.
In the hopes of bringing a little sunshine to all those folks out there — and just for good millennial measure, really — we’ve put together some self-care itineraries for those who might need it.
You can participate daily or once a week. You can collect the items you like and leave out the items you don’t like. You can create your own, using the following as simple inspiration.
A few rules can apply to everyone: Make your bed every morning. Say thank you. And don’t forget to breathe. Also, to drink a lot of water. Damn, it’s hot outside.
(Featured Image Credit: Brad Pearson/Unsplash; Hero Image Credit: Roberto Nickson/Unsplash)
A self-care itinerary for creatives…
09:00: Wake up and read 2 chapters of a real book
10:00 a.m.: Put feel-good music and take a long shower (with a homemade scrub if possible)
10:30 a.m.: Look in the mirror and imagine yourself talking to your 8 year old. What would you say to him?
11:00 : Visit a fresh produce market and be inspired by seasonal ingredients
12:00 p.m.: Preparing breakfast
2:00 p.m.: Try your hand at bullet journaling
3:00 p.m.: Arrange flowers for your home
4:00 p.m.: Take a nap
5:00 p.m.: Organize your refrigerator, your shelves or even your furniture
6:00 p.m.: Write a short story, design Line stickers or make beaded bracelets and try knitting with punch needles.
7:00 p.m.: Order a treat for dinner
9:30 p.m.: Read another chapter and go to sleep
A care itinerary for those who live alone…
09:00: Wake up and write in your gratitude journal
09:30 a.m.: Dress in something comfortable but presentable (inspiration: resort clothing)
10:00 a.m.: prepare breakfastwhile listening to feel-good music
12:00 p.m.: Make a collage from old photos or magazines and turn them into postcards to send to your friends.
4:00 p.m.: Read outside (a park pavilion is a wonderful option)
5:00 p.m.: Make afternoon tea yourself, using different herbs and flowers
6:00 p.m.: Call a friend and have a long chat, or try your hand at gardening if you don’t want to talk
7:00 p.m.: Have light and nutritious dinnerfollowing a real recipe
8:00 p.m.: Draw yourself an aromatherapy bath (put the phone away)
9:00 p.m.: Read again and sleep early
A care itinerary for those who live as a couple…
7:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.: Sleep together or wake up separately so everyone has their own “morning alone”
10:30 a.m.: Head to a fresh produce market and pick up the ingredients you both love
11:00 : Cook a brunch together, to your own rhythm upbeat music (dance encouraged)
2:00 p.m.: Individual projects: coloringjournaling, crafting or reading
4:00 p.m.: Set up a home spa and take part in partner massages
5:00 p.m.: Nap together after massage
6:00 p.m.: Mix a cocktail for your partner and sit down a bar at home
7:00 p.m.: Order dinner and set up the dining table like a restaurant
8:00 p.m.: Netflix and relaxation
10:00 p.m.: Engage in pillow talk
11:00 p.m.: The first to fall asleep prepares breakfast the next day.
A wellness itinerary for foodies…
09:00: Wake up and search for the most extravagant breakfast recipe you can think of
10:00 a.m.: Make said recipe
11:00 : Plant an herb garden outside or on your condo balcony
1:00 p.m.: DIY a face or hair mask
2:00 p.m.: Learn more about food photography or explore your favorite cookbooks
3:00 p.m.: Bake something special for a friend (or make jam)
5:00 p.m.: Write a letter to your friend and send them your baked goods (bonus points if you use your new food photography skills)
6:00 p.m.: Give yourself a Mystery Box dinner challenge and create something new
8:00 p.m.: Learn how to make soy candles
9:00 p.m.: Relax with a hot drink and put away your phone to read or watch a movie
10:00 p.m.: Fill out a food journal (drawing is encouraged) and go to bed
A wellness itinerary for athletes…
05:30 a.m.: Wake up before sunrise and head to the park for a nice morning run
06:30 a.m.: Stop to take a real (or mental) image of the sunrise. Be aware of all your surroundings. Breathe.
08:00: Grab a coffee and juice at your favorite cafe. Throw a pastry if it’s the weekend
09:00: Make your own smoothie or cereal bowl at home for breakfast
11:00 : Mid-morning nap
12:00 p.m.: Challenge yourself and your friends in a plank/ab/squat challenge
3:00 p.m.: Practice relaxation by treating yourself to a facial massage
4:00 p.m.: It’s time for a zumba/HIIT workout
5:00 p.m.: Take a long shower and put on some feel-good music
6:00 p.m.: Look for meal prep ideas online and purchase ingredients accordingly
7:00 p.m.: Prepare the meal
8:00 p.m.: Watch ‘The last dance” on Netflix
9:00 p.m.: Do yoga or meditation before bed and go to sleep
A self-care itinerary for almost everyone…
09:30 a.m.: Wake up and do a 1-minute body awareness meditation
10:00 a.m.: Do some stretches, then enjoy a shower with your favorite scented products
10:30 a.m.: Look in the mirror and give yourself three compliments (and mean them)
11:00 : Put on a comfortable outfit that makes you feel good and looks good
12:00 p.m.: Go for brunch in a new neighborhood or visit a new market to buy fresh ingredients for cooking
3:00 p.m.: Call a friend and let them know you appreciate them
4:00 p.m.: Improvised house dance party!
5:00 p.m.: Find a spot in the sun and do sunset yoga
6:00 p.m.: Cook something time-consuming for dinner and plate it restaurant-style
8:00 p.m.: Follow a multi-step skincare routine and put away your phone for the night
9:00 p.m.: Put on new pajamas or bathrobe
9:30 p.m.: Write in your journal (can also be a simple sentence to summarize your day)
10:00 p.m.: Go to sleep.
