‘My At-Home Self Care Routine – 16 Self Care Ideas + FREE Self Care Checklist’ – Monica May

Having a self care routine in your life is so incredibly important.

I often feel like in the busy lives we are living it’s extremely easy to forget about taking care of ourselves.

We are always on the run, trying to get everything done and be there for everyone that needs us.

However, you can’t pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself first.

In addition, self care is how you get your power back, and for once, make yourself a priority.

Now, there’s most certainly no perfect or correct way to do a self care routine, simply because we are all different and different things work for every single one of us.

Having said that, one is certain – self care isn’t just about a photo-shoot worthy bubble bath.

Instead, it’s about gaining your power back with anything that feels therapeutic and relaxing for you.

That being said, I have a list of 16 self care ideas for you, packed with a FREE printable self care checklist.

They are just my ideas, which means you can add up or swap whatever you’d prefer better.

This is my personal self care routine, so feel free to adjust it for yourself.

Also, I’m going to throw some inspiring self care quotes along the way, so stay with me!

Without further ado, let’s jump right into my 16 self care ideas right now!

My Self Care Routine – 16 Self Care Ideas + FREE Self Care Checklist

#1 Start Your Day With A Glass Of Water

Hydration is so important when it comes to self care.

And we often wake up after a night’s sleep slightly dehydrated which means starting your day off feeling a bit crappy.

That’s why it’s really important to hydrate just among waking up.

Just a single glass of water will set the tone for your entire day.

You can also check out my updated self care checklist here: Daily Self Care Checklist + Favorite Self Care Quotes

#2 Do A Little Bit Of Yoga (Or A Lot)

It doesn’t have to be at the beginning of the day (although the beginning of the day sounds amazing).

Just find a few minutes to do a few yoga poses or your favorite stretches.

Yoga will wake every single muscle in your body up and will help you feel calmer and more relaxed all day long.

If you’re not into yoga, just try doing a few simple poses that feel nice and relaxing, such as downward dog, cobra, cat pose and child pose.

#3 Get Some Fresh Air

Rather you go for a walk or have a coffee on the balcony, it doesn’t matter.

Even just opening the window and welcoming fresh air into your room will feel so good.

Take at least a minute to bath your whole body in oxygen.

Inhale. Exhale.

This may not seem like much, but it can be a really calming and relaxing habit for sure.

#4 Have a Healthy Breakfast

Healthy food should be a part of your self care routine. 

I often say that starting the day healthy is the best thing you can do for yourself.

That’s because mornings in general feel like blank pieces of paper, and gives you the opportunity to start over and set the tone for the entire day.

Have a healthy and balanced breakfast and you’ll end up keeping it healthy the entire day.

If you want to start eating healthy, check out my all-in-one program RADIATE and start today!

#5 Enjoy Your Cup Of Caffeine

For me, coffee is a part of my self care routine since forever.

I think I have a whole routine around it and it feels good having it in my daily life.

And I’m not running from the fact that drinking a lot of coffee can be harmful, but enjoying one cup of coffee a day will load you up with lots of healthy components including Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin.

Especially when I feel overwhelmed and a bit tired of the daily activities, I just take a break and have a cup of coffee.

It’s a real energy booster for me.

And it’s really important to have a ‘coffee break’ in your day, even if you don’t drink coffee –  do it with tea, cocoa or any other hot beverage you like.

#6 Make A Plan For The Day

Especially now when we are all mostly home, some of us even working from home, it’s really hard to stick to a schedule and actually get things done.

That’s why planning is a step you gt to have in your self care routine.

I found it so much easier to accomplish all of my daily goals and to-dos when I write them down.

You can also grab my Fit Babe Fitness Planner and get in the magic of planning.

#7 Get Active

Working out is one of the best self care ideas I can think of.

It’s amazing for both your physical and mental health, and if you are not working out already you should give it a try for sure.

Now, when we think of a workout, we usually think of long boring gym sessions that take hours of our day.

Well, no. Nowadays there are plenty of workout programs you can do in the comfort of your home and take only 20-30 minutes of your day.

Head on to check out my Home Workout Program RADIATE.

You can also try out the first day for free – I posted it on YouTube.

Here it is:

And if you aren’t into working out at all, you really don’t need to do anything crazy or time-consuming.

Just break a sweat with your favorite moves, go for a jog or just do a hot yoga session.

#8 Take A Hot Shower

I doesn’t have to be an Instagram worthy, fancy bubble bath (though if you love a good bubble bath, do you).

Just take a short hot shower in the middle of your day and you’ll feel reborn.

And I know hot showers have almost no health benefits, but they just feel so good.

So, to compensate for my hot shower, I usually sneak in a few bursts of cold water in between.

#9 Read A Motivational Quote

Take just a few moments to get yourself motivated and inspired for the day by going through some motivational quotes.

Just to remind yourself that you are a badass and you totally got this.

I have a collection of motivational posters and self care quotes that will help you get your mood on each day.

Head on to check them out!

#10 Put On Your Favorite Playlist

I don’t like doing things in complete silence. They just feel twice as harder that way.

Rather I’m working from home or just decluttering and organizing, I like to put some music on.

My all-time favorites are Chillhop. They have all sorts of playlists, so head on to check them out.

#11 Take A Power Nap

I’m so not a ‘nappy’ type of person and I find it challenging to take a nap in the middle of the day.

However, after the whole ‘power nap’ hype started, I decided to give it a try.

At first, I had to force myself into doing it even if I didn’t feel like napping at all.

However, once it became a habit it started working amazing on me.

You’d be surprised how much only 20 minutes in the middle of the day can do for you.

It’s a mental timeout that will get your energy back in no time.

Einstein, Winston Churchill, JFK, and even Leonardo da Vinci were all fans of the afternoon brain shut down, so make sure to at least give it a try.

Just find the perfect timing and your perfect nappy place and just go for it.

#12 Disconnect

Putting away your smartphone might seem like a big challenge.

However being connected 24/7 can have negative side effects on so many aspects of your life and can harm your memory, creativity, and productivity.

Disconnect at least two hours every day and give your brain a well-deserved break.

#13 Have A Healthy Snack

Don’t underestimate the power of snacking that just feels so therapeutic.

However, make sure to keep it healthy and clean, so that there is absolutely no feeling of guilt afterward.

Rather you go for a green apple peanut butter combo, a protein bar, or brown rice cake chips – it’s up to you.

Pick your favorite snack and snack on.

#14 Take A Break

Almost anything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes.

Just take a break and do nothing meaningful for at least 30 minutes each day.

Binge watch Netflix or some YouTube videos.

Do this without checking your emails or social media on your phone – just take a break from everything as a part of your self care routine.

You deserve it!

#15 Avoid Screens Before Bed-Time

Staring at the screen of your smartphone or tablet, even TV screen won’t help you fall asleep.

In fact, the artificial light from the screen suppresses melatonin production, sending your body mixed signals which makes it even harder to fall asleep afterward.

Even though this is a habit that we probably all have, to stare at the smartphone in the dark, but this is definitely one we have to reconsider.

Try leaving it out at least an hour before bedding down, and see the changes for yourself.

#16 Get In Bed In Melatonin Friendly Hours

We all know we should head on to bed earlier, but do you know why?

Melatonin, known as the sleepy hormone is a natural hormone made by the body’s pineal gland.

During the day the pineal is inactive which explains the fact that daytime levels of melatonin are barely detectable, but when the sun goes down and daylight starts disappearing, the pineal gland activates and starts producing melatonin.

This process usually occurs around 9 pm and lasts for 12 hours.

Not getting your sleep in these hours will cause you feeling tired, depressed and feel lack of sleep even though you’ve been sleeping for 8 hours.

This is the main reason why we should always try going to bed before midnight.

Now Head On And Grab Your Self Care Checklist

Do you like my self care ideas?

If you do, head on and grab my self care checklist, print it out and start doing it right now!

I hope you liked my self-care ideas and self-care checklist.

If you do, don’t forget to share it with your friends.

Remember, sharing is caring <3

Stay safe, babes!
Monica