8 Simple DIY Self-Care Methods
Taking care of your mental health requires intention and effort, but it doesn’t have to be super time-intensive or expensive to take care of yourself. Here are some small things you can do in order to take just a little bit of time for yourself and improve your mental well-being.
1. Read Before Bed
There’s a lot of research saying that looking at screens like your phone or TV right before going to bed will screw up your sleep schedule because of the blue light. One solution is getting blue light glasses, but a more engaging one is cuddling up with a good book. It doesn’t have to have a high reading level – just find a book that you enjoy and read it. Even 15 or 30 minutes of reading before bed can make your sleep feel more restful. Reading is also a great way to carve out some “me” time.
2. Try a New Hobby
Contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be something you can monetize or something that everyone else likes. If it is, kudos to you, but you can also greatly benefit from spending just a little time doing something that you like just for the sake of doing it. Pick up some knitting yarn, or try doing the Sunday crossword.
3. Be Intentional About Who You Spend Time With
It’s easy to fall into a routine of going to work or school, coming home, having dinner, and going to bed. It can be mentally draining to feel like you’re stuck in a constant loop. Take the time to be social with people who give you energy instead of draining your energy. Whether it’s your best friends, your sibling, or a coworker, spend time with people who make you happy.
4. Journal
You can read my story from January, “How to Start Journaling,” to learn more about the benefits of this popular well-being technique and how to get going
5. Meditate
It’s not for everyone, but even just taking a few minutes each day to sit with your own thoughts can be very grounding. There are guided meditation techniques, but you can also just sit in silence for a few minutes. Like reading, it’s also a great way to spend some time with yourself, and it doesn’t have to be super time consuming.
6. Explore CNY
Exploring your own hometown is so underrated. There are always new things to explore and experience, even if you’ve lived in CNY for years. If there’s a restaurant or coffee shop you’ve wanted to try, or a new bookstore, or a nature trail you want to walk, explore them. Follow your whims. Or if you need ideas of local places to try, check out our other columns.
7. Make Something
It could be a baked good or a dinner recipe that sounds tasty. It could be that IKEA desk that’s been sitting in its box in your home office for two weeks. It could be a pointless fun craft project. It could be a funny video to send to a family member. The act of creating something in itself can 1) give you immediate satisfaction when you’re done and 2) be a fun way to try something new.
8. Just do Nothing
Sometimes, the best way to take care of yourself is to not do anything. You don’t have to be constantly filling your time with activities and hobbies. Doing nothing is a good way to rest and give your mind and body space to recharge.
These are just some quick and easy ways to engage in self-care without having to put in a ton of time and effort. These small ways to take care of yourself will help improve your well-being – and this is not an exhaustive list, so try whatever works best for you.
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