The Perfect Self-Care Ideas When You’re Cooped Up At Home
When times are tough and you don't know when you'll see the light at the end of the tunnel, investing in yourself, otherwise known as raising your vibration, is an excellent plan of action. Self-care comes in many forms, and there are plenty of ways to care for your self from the comfort of your home. Be mindful that putting yourself first isn't selfish, because in many cases, it's necessary. If you wish to expand your inner peace, then look no further. We've compiled a list of the best self-care ideas, which you might need now more than ever.
Break Out Those Dance Moves
One thing that is universally appreciated is music. It's what it does to us that makes it so intoxicating. The vibrations, the rhythms, the lyrics, and everything else in between!
Music also makes you dance. When you're at home, put on some upbeat music (whatever you prefer), and have a dance-off! And if you live with housemates, you can bring them into the fun as well and make it a dance party.
Pick Up Meditation
Meditation might be an obvious solution, but we still had to include it. It's an ancient practice that requires a ton of patience, but will also help build that quality in you if you lack it.
There are apps to help you get started or you can check out YouTube as well. Once you find your groove with meditation, it's surely something that might creep into your daily activities. Top CEOs and other leaders swear by it.
Try A Gratitude Journal
"A gratitude journal, what is that?" It's exactly what it sounds like. Throughout the day, there are little things, other people, or events that make us happy or help keep us going.
Being grateful will only intensify these positive effects. That's why having a journal specifically for writing your gratitude is such a great idea. All you have to do is write about the things you appreciated the day before. Be sure to write with conviction and a clear understanding as to why you're grateful.
Ever Heard Of Books?
Books are these cool objects made of paper with words written on the pages. We heard that if you choose the right subject matter, that they can boost knowledge of self, help you learn a language, and increase overall knowledge.
If you aren't committed yet, then we think you'd like to know that you can read about anything you choose. For instance, if you're stuck inside, there are books about nature that will remind you that better times are ahead. There are also books specifically to help you learn better self-care techniques.
Turn On A Movie About The Outdoors
As dull as this might sound to anyone not already in love with nature, we're only suggesting it for your own good. Being inside doesn't mean you have to limit your access to the outside.
There are plenty of films about the outdoors that will help keep you calm and appreciate what's to come. For example, there's Island Earth (a documentary urging us to raise awareness about the planet), and Sky Migrations (which captures the ancient migration of raptors). Those two can help get you started.
Try This Grounding Exercise
Grounding yourself means realizing you're in the present and nothing else matters except being in that mindset. When you ground yourself, it helps remove stress and worry over things you can't control.
One exercise to help you achieve this is pretty cool. Look around your environment and name five things you can see, four things that are audible, two things you can smell, and one thing you can eat. To help you remember, just call it the "5,4,3,2,1" technique.
Public Radio Stations And Playlists Are Fun
Thanks to the power of the internet, listeners aren't restricted to what they can hear. Streaming transformed the way we listen to things and that includes being able to tune into any local radio stations.
If you're from Alabama, try tuning into a Los Angeles station and see what they're feeding their fans. You can also check out that playlist your friend keeps suggesting to you. Just throw on your most comfortable headphones, take a seat, and relax.
Animal Videos Are Cool
There are millions of videos on the internet where animals are the star. The best part about that is, you have your choice of which animal you want to see. It can be cats, dogs, elephants, or even hedgehogs.
These videos have the power to uplift your mood, making them valuable for your well-being. It sounds simple, but a few laughs and smiles go a long way when you're trying to practice self-care and increase your positive vibes.
An Epsom Salt Bath Does Wonders
While many regularly take showers, the art of taking baths isn't what it was in the past. No one has the time to soak and relax thanks to busy schedules, but you might find the time now.
Next time you bathe, grab some Epsom salt, a candle, and a relaxing playlist. Sitting in the tub with warm water and the salts will help you de-stress physically and mentally. Give it a try and you'll know what bliss feels like.
Keep In Touch With Positive Friends
While it's important to be able to spend time alone without the company of others, you can't completely distance yourself. Grab your phone and call your best friend or a pal who always makes you smile.
Lose track of time and talk about everything you can think of. If you have the option to Facetime or any sort of video call, utilize that too. Seeing a loving, familiar face will help boost your vibrations so give it a whirl!
Tend To Your Plants
Do you ever have those days when you forget to properly take care of the plants you own? Now is the best time to nip that bad habit in the bud and unleash your inner green thumb.
Whether you have a garden in your yard, or you have a few plants inside, you're in control now. If you never knew how to properly clip your Lucky Bamboo, head to YouTube, give yourself a tutorial, and give your green friends the treatment they've wanted for some time. This activity will also get you closer to nature, which helps a lot.
Learn A New Language
When you have extra time on your hands, it can be difficult determining how to spend it. As mentioned earlier, investing in yourself is always a great route to take.
Now, it's easier than ever to pick up a new language. With apps and online courses, you're just a click away from becoming bilingual. With the language-learning app Duolingo, 36 hours of use is equivalent to one semester at a university.
Seek Out New Ideas
Investing in yourself is as easy as it can get today. Have you ever heard of TED Talks? If you're looking for new ideas, inspiration, or anything related to those matters, a TED Talk is what you need.
You can find almost all of them on YouTube, featuring some of the greatest leaders, celebrities, athletes, and more. If you watch the right one, there's no way you won't finish it without feeling some kind of accomplishment.
Spend More Time With Your Pets!
We get it... you work long hours and you don't have the time to play with your pets as much as you would like. Well, when you're stuck inside, your precious pooch should enjoy that a lot.
Even if you have a cat or another animal that isn't really the type to play, you can still use this time to learn more about them. Figure out what they like to do and they'll return the love even more. Its not hard for pets to boost your vibes!
Warm Up Those Vocal Cords
Okay, you're no Luke Bryan or John Legend, but that doesn't mean you can't sing. It takes dedication and practice to sing like the professionals, but when you're at home you don't need to win any Grammy nominations.
Get on your phone, make a playlist filled with your favorite songs to sing in the shower, and let those vocal cords work! Who knows, you might find out that you have a future in singing. Unless your neighbors ask why your cat is screaming...
Unleash Your Creativity
Even if you aren't too creative in the world of arts and crafts, anyone can doodle on a piece of paper. If doodling isn't your thing, you can even go purchase a coloring book, but remember to stay inside the lines!
For those who are already skilled at drawing, having extra time at home should be music to your ears! Now's the time to attempt that challenging portrait of yourself. Once you finish it, you'll see how happy it makes you feel, even if it's just for a moment.
Try At-Home Workouts Or Yoga
Keeping your physical self sharp is just as important as making sure your mind is stable. Self-care isn't only about being as mentally grounded as you can get because you need to make sure your body is strong too.
Taking up yoga or starting at-home workouts will help tremendously. YouTube is your best friend in this situation. You can learn how to do beginner moves and work your way up to advanced. Make sure you start at a reasonable pace or you might end up stuck in an awkward position!
Learn A New Recipe
Unless you plan on eating out or getting delivery for every single meal, learning how to cook is the perfect self-care practice. Once you learn how to make an omelet the exact way you want it, you won't ever need another person to make one for you.
Conversely, if you already know how to cook, it's time to figure out new recipes. Not only will you feel accomplished, but you'll be happy that you learned something new.
Find A Secluded Trail
This one doesn't deal with being inside the house, but its a great practice for self-care. Finding a somewhat challenging hiking trail that isn't crowded might be hard, but it's worth it.
You probably already know about one, but be sure you stay away from the crowded paths. An extended journey outdoors relatively alone is the perfect remedy to boost your vibrations. Being in nature, exercising, and breathing fresh air make for an incredible combination.
Ever Tried A Nature Cam?
If you can't or don't wish to go outside, there's always an alternative for you. We're talking about a real-time nature cam. If you're a surfer, then you know what we're talking about right now.
This is as simple as it sounds. There are plenty of live-streams on YouTube and other sites that have the camera directed at a scenic view out in nature. You never know what you could see out there. For an extra-special experience, toss on your headphones and listen to the sounds of the wild.
