55 Best Self Care Reminders To Use In Your Day (2024)
Self care reminders help you listen to your needs in this busy plugged-in world. Because taking care of yourself is both more challenging and more important than ever.
Why Self Care Is Important
Many of our life challenges boil down to how well we care for ourselves.
Have any of these happened to you?
- You gained 10 pounds
- You lost touch with friends and feel depressed (despite being on Facebook)
- You can’t remember the last time you woke up refreshed and purposeful
It happens to all of us from time to time. And in most cases, it is because we have been neglecting a form of self-care.
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What are good daily self care reminders?
This list of simple self care reminders can bring you back from burnout, make each day 10x better, or give you the inspiration to enjoy life deeply.
Pro Tip: Put them around your home or office to see them often.
1. It’s not that you don’t have the time. Make the time.
The most popular comeback for poor self-care is…”I don’t have time.” However, the average person spends two hours a day on social media. Challenge your excuses.
2. Self-care is NOT about making yourself beautiful.
These days, taking care of yourself has become commercialized. Wear a face mask and do your nails to feel better. “Treat yo’ self.”
While these can be relaxing, self-care is much more than an Instagram picture. It’s getting enough sleep at night and building rich connections with those you love. It’s feeling strong and inspired.
3. Stop trying to “deserve” self-care.
You do not have to earn anything. Caring for yourself is a gift you give yourself. It is an act of love.
Related: Try the Self Care 30 Day Challenge
4. Decluttering means less cleaning.
Want a simple way to free up time for yourself? Get rid of your stuff.
5. Self-care makes you better in every way.
Want to be a better mom? Wife? Teacher? Employee? Boss?
Putting yourself first means that all of the people in your life get a whole lot more from you. It’s a win-win for everyone.
6. Enjoy the blooming roses too.
“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” – Dale Carnegie
7. You are in charge of your own life. Act like it.
Often, we give away our power to others because it is easier to say “because I have to.” But we can all accept 100% responsibility for how we live out each day.
8. The more helpful you are, the happier you will be.
It’s not about being obsessed with finding happiness. Serve and be helpful to others and happiness will naturally find you.
9. You will not know it all to start. Do it anyways.
Give yourself grace. Beating yourself up over not knowing it all only hinders you. You learn what you know through the journey. Every empire builder, world changer, and incredible mother started as a beginner.
10. Nature is a universal healer.
Breathe the crisp air. Feel the sunlight on your face. Hear the crunch of the grass beneath your feet. Touch a tree that’s older than you.
And be awed by the power and beauty of nature.
11. “I never lose. I either win or I learn.” – Nelson Mandela
Life is a game. And you can choose not to lose if you shift your mindset.
Related: Inspiring Vision Board Quotes
12. Your technology should be your tool. Not your master.
For many, it’s not your family, job, or busy schedule that are the biggest obstacles to caring for yourself. It’s your phone. Your tv. And your computer.
Set clear screen boundaries and you will notice your quality of life skyrocket.
Try a 30 day detox challenge from social media >>
13. Feel all the feelings. It’s ok.
When life gets hard, you don’t have to pretend it is fine.
Find support. Journal. Scream (figuratively or literally). And then move forward knowing that you gave yourself the space to move through your emotions.
14. Inspiration is a form of self-care.
Curating your input to be uplifting (instead of the doomsday news cycles) is a form of self-love that pays you back in spades.
15. Nothing lasts forever.
Change is the one constant of life. If you are going through a tough season, remember that all of life is temporary.
16. Smile at yourself in the mirror.
You will be amazed at how good this makes you feel.
Related Post: Best Self Love Affirmations & Practices
17. Say “no” more often.
The world will never stop screaming for your attention. “Look at me!” “Do this!” “Have this!”
It’s up to you to protect your peace. That always comes down to how good you are at saying no to what does not serve you.
18. Self Care Reminders: You are special.
And once you believe that you are the only one on this planet with the exact skills you have, you will do more to cultivate them.
19. Your worth is not measured by the outside world.
Your value has nothing to do with how much you checked off the to-do list today. Or by your number on the scale.
Nope, no one and nothing gets to decide your worth but YOU. Your power is on the inside.
20. You get to do it.
Your mind is a powerful tool. Instead of saying “I have to do it,” try “I get to do it.”
“I get to move my body so that I can become stronger, faster, and more full of energy.”
21. Connect with others deeply.
At the end of your life, you will never regret the girls nights, family nights, or date nights you made time for. You won’t beat yourself up over the kids concerts or coffee with your mom. Remember this!
Related: Signs & Symptoms of Mom Burnout (and what to do!)
22. Be alone with yourself.
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” – Blaise Pascal
Time for prayer, meditation, or thinking are crucial in our frenzied lives.
23. The only approval you need is your own.
Your friend’s opinion doesn’t count. Nor do even your spouse or children (ok, maybe they do a little).
Truly, the one voice that matters is that quiet inner one you can only hear when you stop to listen carefully.
24. Cutting down your decisions IS self-care.
Women, especially, make thousands of decisions a day. Getting ready can include hair, makeup, and what to wear. And let’s not start with kids lunches, homework, and activities.
It’s called decision fatigue. And it limits your self-control and steals from the mental load a person can carry.
Create systems. Simplify your life. These work wonders in helping you feel less scattered and overwhelmed.
25. Rest is more than sleep.
If the only rest you get is through sleep, it is not enough. Try an Epsom salt bath, reading an outstanding book, or enjoying a cup of tea with your partner.
26. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Our expectations on how life should look have changed radically.
- Compare weddings today to those of twenty years ago.
- Look at how much more goes into baby gender reveals and kids’ birthday parties.
- Notice the difference in home decor and renovation standards
These are all very fun. But they also can give the impression that if you aren’t making everything perfect, you are doing it wrong. Behind the cameras, most people’s lives are messy and chaotic. But that is beautiful too.
27. A grateful heart is a happy heart.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
28. Boundaries set you free.
I had to set better boundaries between my work and personal time recently. And I was blown away by how much mental freedom it granted me.
Much of society views boundaries as sacrifices. And yet…
- Financial budgets grant you the freedom to travel or retire early.
- Health rules provide you freedom from disease.
- And screen limits give you the freedom to live richly and deepen relationships.
Change the way you look at boundaries, and you’ll change the way you view self-care.
29. Reading is one of life’s simple pleasures.
(And aside from relaxation and imagination, it’s also one of the cheapest ways to uplevel your entire life.)
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”–Richard Steele
See surprising statistics about reading to learn more >>
30. Your needs matter.
Your happiness matters as much as anyone else’s. Give yourself a little self-love and put your oxygen mask on first.
31. You can do both.
It’s ok to love who you are while working on habits that make your life better. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
32. Asking for help is a sign of courage and strength.
So many women struggle with admitting when they need help. Whether it’s help with your kids or help with your mental health. Getting help is not a weakness.
It is a sign of strength. Be brave.
33. Listen to your body. What is it telling you today?
When was the last time you asked your body what it needs?
34. You are capable of overcoming anything.
With the right mindset, you can accomplish and overcome anything life throws at you. (A few supportive friends never hurt either.)
35. If it’s meant to be, it will be.
Giving your worries up to God or the Universe allows you to unclench your fists and see past the struggle. Focus on working on what you can control, and let go of the rest.
36. Forgiveness is an act of self-care.
On that note, forgiveness works the same way. Stop holding the burning coal. Forgiving someone is a gift you give yourself. Now you can move on with your life.
37. Dreaming is a form of self-care.
Every human being is wired for hope and thrives on progress. Make dreaming a regular part of your routine.
38. Food is meant to nourish.
So many of us see food as a constant struggle with weight. It’s exhausting. But simple homemade food nourishes our bodies. And family dinners around the table chatting and laughing nourishes our souls.
39. Snuggle up with a person or pet.
Oxytocin is called the “cuddle hormone” because it’s released when you are physically affectionate. It gives you those warm fuzzies. What a great thing to experience daily!
40. What gets scheduled gets done.
How do you make self-care a priority? It’s simple. Anything you wish to have more of in your life must be scheduled ahead of time.
Meal planning and prep. Time with your partner and friends. They need a place in your calendar to be taken seriously.
41. A guided journal is a beautiful investment.
One of the best investments in my mental health has been the 5 minute journal. A little bit of guidance goes a long way in helping you maintain successful habits.
42. Let the right balls drop.
Think of everything on your to-do list. Now, categorize them into glass balls (your most important priorities) and plastic balls (everything else).
Which will shatter? Schedule those in first.
Which balls when you drop them, will bounce back? Let those puppies fall.
43. Habits are the foundation of self-care.
What you do occasionally is less important than what you do every day. If you can make your self-care practices automatic, you have won the battle over finding time for yourself.
44. Self Care Reminders: Play is Crucial
- “Let’s play hopscotch in malls.
- Let’s drive fast with the top down.
- Let’s turn up the music as loud as it’ll go.
- Let’s put a couch on an island in the middle of the freeway and wave at everyone on their way to work.
- Let’s hug strangers in parking lots.
- Let’s hand out secret messages at traffic lights.
- Let’s make lists of all the things that make us smile and tick them off, one at a time.
The world will carry on without you and me when we’re gone. Let it carry on without us, today.” – Iain Thomas
45. Anxiety is a signal.
Dr. Kelvas, a physician and health expert says “anxiety is your body telling you that you need to change something.” If you are anxious, find out what you can change in your daily routine. Perhaps it’s removing the news or devices. Perhaps it’s adding exercises, journaling, or seeking professional help.
46. Accountability works wonders.
Study after study shows that a little accountability makes things happen.
- Find yourself a self-care buddy (this person can give you reminders too!)
- Sign a self-care contract. (That someone else signs as a witness too.)
- Pay for something ahead of time. (Workout classes, massage, 5K, books)
- Use a self-care checklist or habit tracker to observe your progress.
47. What you needed yesterday may not be what you need today.
It’s ok to change your mind. To let go of a relationship. To re-adjust. Our lives are evolving all the time, and so can our decisions.
48. There are different ways to get the same benefits.
For a long time, I wanted to get regular massages to treat my tight shoulders. The problem? They can be costly and it’s hard to fit them into my mom schedule. But then, I tried Epsom salt baths and realized that I get the same benefits for a fraction of the cost and time.
49. Invest in yourself often.
Spending money on a new sweater and spending money on a service or product that upgrades your life are two very different things.
One is spending and the other is investing. Know the difference, and be an investor.
50. A good morning routine is the mother of all self-care practices.
If I could only say one thing that could change the way you live your life for the rest of your life, it would be a morning routine. Frontloading your good habits means that you never have to fight with yourself later in the day to fit them in.
51. Build a house of bricks.
Rest and recovery are so difficult because we think they slow us down. That we should be able to power through.
But those that never stop to rest are building many small houses of flimsy sticks. Instead, why not build one incredible mansion made of bricks?
Related:
52. Always evaluate whether your calendar matches your priorities.
Most people say one thing and do another. Be different. If your family, exercise, and sleep are important to you, then your schedule should be reflecting that. If not, you know what to do.
53. Use the 80/20 rule.
Only 20% of your daily and weekly actions get you 80% of your results. So what 1-3 self-care practices should be your non-negotiables?
54. Design your environment.
Create a life that makes it easy to take care of yourself. How do you do this?
Here are a few ideas:
- Put healthy food out on the counter and hide your junk food in the basement.
- Move near a community trail.
- Get rid of streaming services that suck you into watching too much tv.
55. You will always be a work in progress.
You will need to come back to these reminders over and over for different reasons. (As will I). That’s ok because there’s beauty in the journey.
Don’t forget to look back and see how far you’ve come too!
How to Keep Self Care Reminders Front and Center
Often, we know WHAT to do and even HOW to do it. But the habit is not established or our crazy busy lives make us forget.
Utilize these to help keep your self-care reminders close:
- Make a vision board or life bucket list and keep it on the fridge.
- Use self-care reminders for your phone lock screen.
- Put them up around your home or on your desk.
- Use the reminders on your phone as alarms that tell you when you need to take a break.
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