120 Simple Self Care Ideas For Women: When You Need a Reboot

Self care ideas for women are so important! Why?

Because we all get’em. NO GOOD. HORRIBLE. VERY BAD DAYS.

Those days when you’d rather crawl back into bed than face responsibilities. Jeez, no one ever told you there would be so many!

Self care ideas list for women on a bad day, featured image

What is Self Care?

Self-care is the intentional act of caring for yourself.

As women, often our job is to take care of everyone else. And dang, we’re pretty good at it too. But this leads to more stress and burnout. And in our fast-paced world, if you don’t make self-care a priority, it doesn’t happen.

So, stop, relax, and recharge regularly to be your best.

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100 self care list of ideas for women; mental health pin 2023
#1 Recommendation: Take a nature walk. Put your phone away. Observe how you feel in the wild.

Pro Tip: Grab a pen and a piece of paper. While you read, make your self care ideas list to put on the fridge!

Easy Ideas for Women Self Care

These are perfect self care ideas at home. And a few help you branch out to other places too!

best self care ideas and activities for women at home and out

1. Sip a comforting cup of herbal tea (Soothing Caramel Bedtime is delicious!)

2. Empower yourself with positive affirmations.

3. Write 10 things you are grateful for

4. Rejuvenate with a detox bath (use Epsom salts and essential oils)

5. Treat your skin to a face mask

6. Breathe deeply

7. Do yoga poses

8. Sleep

9. Exercise

10. Walk in nature

11. Buy yourself flowers

12. Write 5 things you love about yourself

13. Journal

14. Make a bucket list or vision board

15. Declutter 10 items

16. Read a personal growth book

17. Go for a long walk

18. Get a massage

19. Do something that makes you laugh

20. Plan a getaway

21. Stretch to relieve tension

22. Watch your favorite show

23. Have a night with friends

24. Do a brain dump

25. Go out on a date night

beauty mental health activities in 2023, great activities for wellness and beauty list

26. Do something for the first time (like try a new restaurant or skill)

27. Give yourself (or get) a manicure

28. Call or text someone you love

29. Light your favorite candle

30. Listen to your favorite podcast

31. Spend time with someone who inspires you

32. Cook your favorite meal

33. Plan a spa day

34. Do a digital detox

35. Eat a salad or smoothie

36. Get out in the sunshine

37. Go to your favorite place

38. Take some pretty photos

39. Listen to your favorite music

40. Hug someone

41. Drink a full glass of water

42. Read motivational quotes or uplifting self-care quotes

43. Put on nice clothes and makeup

44. Watch a motivational Ted Talk

45. Watch the sunrise

46. Refresh your morning routine

47. Change your sheets

48. Diffuse quality essential oils

49. Do something nice for someone

50. Go out for a coffee

Want to keep the first 50 handy? Get the free pdf below!

Along with other totally cool stuff in the library!

Unique Self-Care Ideas For Women

easy unique ideas for stress

Remember, self-care activities work differently for every woman. Pedicures may be the ultimate relaxation for your friend, but you can’t stand them. So, pick and choose according to your needs and personality. Then, ignore the rest!

51. Learn a new card/board game

52. Plan ideas for a self care day

53. Work on a puzzle

54. Color in an adult coloring book

55. Do something that makes you happy

56. Read or write poetry

57. Donate to a cause

58. Put up photos of loved ones in your home (or on your phone)

59. Go on a picnic

60. Plant something

61. Spread kindness to someone

62. Listen to an audiobook

63. Give yourself (or get) a pedicure

64. Sleep with a weighted blanket

65. Enjoy a piece of creative art (painting, movie, theater, dance, etc.)

66. Reach for a healthy snack

67. Plan or go on a lunch date (then pay for your friend)

68. Get take-out for dinner

69. Make a self care kit

70. Send a surprise card or care package to someone

71. Try a foam roller for increased blood flow and self-massage

72. Do something physical for 30 minutes to wear yourself out

73. Bake an indulgent treat

74. Buy something fresh at the farmer’s market

75. Make yourself a fancy cocktail or coffee

Free Self Care Activities

These self-care ideas for women cost absolutely nothing. And aren’t those the best kind?!

fun free self care ideas for women mental health

76. Go somewhere just to people watch

77. Ask someone for help

78. Watch a YouTube video about styling your hair or makeup differently

79. Establish a comforting night routine

80. Read an inspirational book for women

81. Sing to your favorite song

82. Watch the clouds or stars

83. Plan a family night

84. Pray

85. Get out into nature

86. Go on a bike ride

87. End your shower on cold

88. Sign up to volunteer

89. Re-arrange a room in your home

90. Meditate for 10 minutes

91. Talk to someone about your challenges (friend, parent, therapist, etc.)

92. Watch a sunset

93. Tidy up one small space (desk, drawer, etc.)

94. Read a magazine at a bookstore or library

95. Unfollow toxic people on social media (or do a full social media detox)

96. Take a nap

97. Start a worry list to get things out of your head

98. Do something playful with your kids (or someone else’s kids)

99. Go a day without checking your email/messages

100. Do something creative (paint, draw, write, etc.)

Related: Self-Reflection Questions for Wellness

Top Self Care Ideas for Busy Moms

Carving the time to care for yourself is essential for busy moms.

best self care ideas for moms list

101. Try a new recipe that you will enjoy

102. Meet a friend for brunch

103. Get a haircut or blowout

104. Connect with a church or spiritual group

105. Go out for ice cream (take the fam and get out of the regular routine!)

106. Stay at a hotel for a night alone

107. Get a babysitter

108. Refresh your own wardrobe

109. Browse your favorite store

110. Take a break and sit down (no multi-tasking)

111. Wake up 15 minutes earlier for a distraction-free and HOT cup of coffee

112. Clear your family’s schedule for a day

113. Take time for self care hobbies

114. Share and play self care bingo with your own mom

115. Eat on paper plates (for a night off of washing the dishes)

116. Hire someone to finish a house project

117. Cuddle with your kids or pets

118. Skip an activity you have planned and rest instead

119. Say “no” to something someone asks you to add to your schedule

120. Buy your favorite dessert and enjoy it after the kids go to bed

Related: Tips to Avoid Mom Burnout and Self Care For Moms

What do women need for self-care?

Not as much as you’d think!

Dr. Danielle Kelvas, MD, says “media would have you believe that weight loss, exercise, and a nice skincare routine will make you happy. The truth is that going for quiet walks in the woods, spending time with other women, and getting ample rest is the best thing you can do for weight loss, hormone imbalances, and your mental health.”

Need a push? Try this 30 Day Self-Care Challenge!

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Self-Care Ideas for Today

self care to do list of activities

What 5-10 self care activities can you have ready when you need an uplift?

Keep this list on the fridge, your phone, or on a notecard in your wallet. Either way, you’ll be ready with your self-care ideas when you need them!

Here are the top 5 on my self care ideas list:

  1. Take a walk on a nearby trail
  2. Make a cup of tea
  3. Read a fun book
  4. Meditate (or just sit and breathe)
  5. Meet up with friends (even if it’s just for a quick walk!)

And here’s a video explaining more top ideas too!

More on How to Use This List

If you’d love to incorporate them into your weekly routine, try this free weekly self care printable!

Self Care Ideas Are Important Things to Do

pdf of self care things to do and checklist

Remember, self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. So, don’t wait until you’re falling apart on the inside.

Instead, think of your wellness activities as non-negotiable appointments with yourself. When someone asks if you’re busy, YOU ARE.

Your overall health is the ace in your deck of cards. It’s that important!

So, pick one each day for the next week. Or create an amazing self-care routine. Then, observe how much better you feel! 🙂

***Don’t forget the free self-care ideas pdf HERE!

Pin the ideas so you have them!

self care ideas for depression and stress pin

Other helpful mental health resources…

120 Easy Self-Care Activities List for Women in 2023

8 Comments

  1. Love it! So important to take care of ourselves, and I love the idea of having a quick list to reference if I’m just not feeling in the mood for one of my go-to pick me ups.

  2. Such a great list!

    So many ideas I want to try. Just recently discovered foam rolling and it has been a game changer! Making time for self-care really is a necessity, and should be viewed as a non-negotiable!

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Krissy, I’m so glad you enjoy the self care list! And that’s so cool about foam rolling. Thanks for sharing!

  3. These are really meaningful self-care ideas. I especially love the cold shower idea. It really helps to ground me when I feel anxious!

    Thank you for a great post!
    Love Casey x
    http://www.casestreetx.com

    1. Hi Casey,
      I LOVE that you like the cold shower idea! I have put it on the blog repeatedly because I also notice a difference in how I feel when I do it. Yet, every time I write it I wonder if people think I’m a little crazy! It’s good to know it works for you too. Thanks so much for sharing!

  4. These are such great tips for women’s health!

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