101 Easy Self Care Ideas You Can Fit Into a Busy Schedule

These 101 easy self-care ideas are quick, simple, and perfect for busy days – even if you only have 10 minutes to spare! Plus, you can download a FREE printable PDF of these 101 self care ideas to stick on the fridge or keep on your phone.

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I have been feeling so overwhelmed this month. Which is funny because I started off the year so positive and upbeat! And now my life is just all over the place because I’m moving and starting over yet again this upcoming February.

But that’s another story for another day! In the meantime, we’re going to talk about self care 🧖🏽‍♀️ Because I’ve been needing a lot of that lately!

As a full-time doctor, taking care of myself has become a non-negotiable. I definitely neglected self-care during most of my 20s and had no type of self-care routine except for getting Panda Express after a long day at work.

Don’t get me wrong – I love treating myself to greasy fast food. But when it becomes a daily thing, it becomes a problem!

I sometime joke with my friends that as doctors, we’re so good at taking care of other people but we often neglect our own health. Self-care can easily fall to the bottom of your never-ending to do list when you’re busy juggling work, family, home, and everything in between!

But over the past year, I’ve come up with a list of easy self-care activities that fill my cup without taking up a lot of time. In fact, you can even do a lot of these activities with only 5-10 minutes to spare!

🍱 For even more time-saving hacks, download my FREE list of 101 Meal Prep Ideas that takes the guesswork out of what to cook this week!

Don’t feel like reading or taking notes? I’ve got you! Download the FREE printable list of 101 self-care ideas to save, print, or use on your phone.

Download a FREE PDF of 101 Self Care Ideas!

Get this post in a printable, mobile-friendly PDF! Includes 2 sheets of self-care ideas that you can use on your phone or print out & stick on your fridge!

Simple & Cozy Self Care Ideas

These are simply, easy things you can do to help you relax and unwind after a long day. Some of these will only take you a few minutes! I like to pick a few “go-to” self-care ideas from this list that I can do after a busy day at work.

1. Light a candle – Wood wick candles are my favorite!
2. Listen to a relaxing playlist
3. Take a bubble bath
4. Meditate for five minutes
5. Write down a list of gratitudes
6. Plant something
7. Buy yourself flowers
8. Do five minutes of deep breathing
9. Take a quick nap
10. Run a scent diffuser
11. Light the fireplace or fire pit
12. Sip on a warm beverage
13. Take a hot shower – create a relaxing vibe with shower steamers!
14. Organize a small space
15. Apply a face mask
16. Write in your planner – I swear by the Bloom daily planners!
17. Sit outside and listen to nature
18. Listen to an ocean sounds playlist
19. Watch an episode of your favorite TV show
20. Drink cucumber-infused water
21. Cuddle up with a cozy blanket
22. Watch the sunrise or sunset
23. Sit and sip at your local coffee shop
24. Shop at your favorite store
25. Listen to a guided meditation
26. Spritz on a calming scent
27. Do an at-home spa treatment

Creative Self Care Ideas

I love doing something creative when I’m stressed, even though I’m not artistic at all! It’s not about how good your finished product looks, it’s just about having fun and relaxing. By the way, you can find a lot of cheap arts & crafts at the Dollar Tree if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on supplies!

28. Create a scrapbook
29. Doodle in a coloring book – I love these cozy coloring books!
30. Sing in the shower
31. Play a musical instrument
32. Listen to an album from your favorite artist
33. Do a jigsaw puzzle
34. Try a new recipe from a cookbook
35. Try a paint-by-numbers kit
36. Decorate your home for an upcoming holiday
37. Print and frame digital prints
38. Sketch something that inspires you
39. Read a book
40. Bake a yummy treat
41. Try your hand at knitting or crocheting
42. Make your own candles
43. Start a herb garden
44. Create a collage
45. Practice calligraphy
46. Do a small home renovation project
47. Start a sewing project
48. Try photography
49. Mix up a new mocktail
50. Complete a crossword puzzle
51. Make a soup recipe
52. Learn a new language
53. Create a vision board

Fitness & Health Self Care Ideas

Moving your body is a great form of self-care! I try to fit in a walk whenever I can, but even just getting outside for a few minutes of fresh air can make the world’s biggest difference. A lot of the activities below require physical activity, but some are just easy ways to take care of yourself from the inside!

54. Dance to your favorite song
55. Go on an outdoor hike
56. Do a stretching routine
57. Attend a spin class
58. Go for a swim
59. Try indoor rock climbing
60. Do a yoga routine
61. Walk along the lake
62. Go to the gym
63. Walk around your neighborhood
64. Take a Pilates class
65. Play your favorite sport
66. Ride your bike
67. Go for a nature walk
68. Do a workout video
69. Attend a group fitness class
70. Take your dog out for a walk
71. Go kayaking or canoeing
72. Jog or run at the park
73. Schedule your annual physical
74. Create a meal plan
75. Take a Zumba class
76. Jump rope
77. Join a sports league

Social Self Care Ideas

I’m one of those extroverted introverts, so while I like my alone time, I also find myself craving some human interaction from time to time!

78. Take a day off social media
79. Catch up with a close friend
80. Plan a date night
81. Sign up for a group class
82. Attend a local festival or event
83. Plan a weekend trip
84. Volunteer your time in the community
85. Send a thank-you card
86. Join a club
87. Host a game night
88. Try out a new restaurant
89. Visit your local library
90. Plan a friends or family reunion
91. Connect with your neighbors
92. Play a board game
93. Call a family member
94. Send a gift to someone you appreciate
95. Start a book club
96. Attend the local farmers market
97. Check out a museum
98. Plan a gathering or potluck
99. Sign up for community gardening
100. Host a movie night
101. Plan a holiday party

Download a FREE PDF of 101 Self Care Ideas!

Get this post in a printable, mobile-friendly PDF! Includes 2 sheets of self-care ideas that you can use on your phone, print out, or stick on your fridge!

I hope you found some new ideas on this roundup of 101 self-care ideas! If you liked this post, you’re also going to love my easy beginner-friendly meal prep guide to help you get started on meal prepping!