This past year has been tough. With everything going on in the world, it’s more important now than ever to take care of your personal well being. Whether you’re feeling gloomy, anxious or just fine — a day dedicated to self-care is always a great idea! If you’re wondering what you should do on your self-care Sunday, you’ve come to the right place. Check out these self-care recipes to cook up a day full of love, care and comfort.
There are five types of self-care:
- Mental
- Physical
- Social
- Emotional
- Spiritual
To figure out what kind of self-care you need today, it’s best to ask yourself a simple question: How are you feeling? Do you feel sluggish or restless? Tend to your physical health by going for a walk outside, taking a nap or getting a little workout in. Are you craving social interaction? Call up a relative, hug a family member or talk to a friend. Do you feel disconnected? Practice spiritual self-care by meditating, saying a prayer or getting on your yoga mat to do a few breathing exercises.
If your thoughts are racing or you’re feeling mentally drained, read a book that inspires you or watch a movie that’s been on your watch list forever. Taking this time out of your day to escape the day-to-day world can help you reset your mind. Finally, our emotional well being has certainly taken a toll this year. Most of us have experienced social isolation and the struggle of figuring out life or work from home — managing that stress level can be exhausting and you may have felt alone at times.
In moments like these, it’s important to reassure yourself that you’re doing your best and that your best is enough. If you struggle with positive self-talk and practicing self-compassion, print out the affirmation cards below and use them as your daily reminder to love yourself. You can print them out and pin them in places around your home that you see daily, maybe on your kitchen fridge, the mirror in your bathroom or the bulletin board above your desk.
No matter how tough things get, it’s important to regularly check in with yourself. You can start by trying out one of the self-care Sunday recipes below and then extend these small acts of self-care into a daily routine. The better you take care of your own mental, physical and spiritual health, the easier it will be for you to show up for others. So create those boundaries, take time for yourself and practice self-care — you deserve it!
Mona Freund grew up in Germany and has now found her home in sunny San Diego. When she’s not creating content, you can find her on the yoga mat, surfing, or baking some of her delicious chocolate chip cookies.