When was the last time you pause what you are doing? When did you slow down and tried enjoying the meal you are eating? The best minimalist self-care ideas for working adults want you to slow down and reflect on these self-care ideas.
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We have different ideas or interpretations when we talk about self-care. There are also so many forms of self-care ideas that cater to our physical, mental, and emotional health. I want to focus on minimalist self-care ideas for us working adults in order to reduce the anxiety and stress we encounter in our daily lives.
Everyone has their own busy schedule and has limited time for themselves. But it doesn’t mean you have to put aside yourself and self-care and wait until you are ready to take care of it.
What Is Self-Care?
According to WHO:
Self-care is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease and maintain health and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.
Being a broad concept which also includes hygiene (general and personal); nutrition (type and quality of food eaten); lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure, etc.); environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.); socioeconomic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.); and self-medication. Core principles: Fundamental principles for self-care include aspects of the individual (e.g. self-reliance, empowerment, autonomy, personal responsibility, self-efficacy) as well as the greater community (e.g. community participation, community involvement, community empowerment).
Why Do We Need Self-Care?
Thinking about yourself for working adults is about attending to your needs that will help minimize your stress or anxiety from your daily lives especially if you are living alone away from your family and living in a fast-paced world of technology and consumerism.
Self-care is important because it allows you to have a healthy relationship with your inner self, when you discover your strengths and weaknesses you will be able to work with them and improve this area of your life so that you can be able to have a healthy relationship with others and learn to care for them too.
It’s about taking time to prioritize yourself by taking care of your needs and being mindful of your activities knowing what makes you happy because in the first place you are accountable for your happiness.
It is important so that you can function well physically, emotionally, and mentally. That when tough times comes you are ready and will not become vulnerable. These minimalist self-care ideas are simple and practical and can be practiced even in your fast-paced environment.
Why Minimalist Self-Care Ideas?
I want to focus on minimalist self-care ideas for working adults because nursing yourself should not be extravagant. I am not saying to splurge or spend money on spas or luxury items. But if you are trying to work your way towards minimalism or are curious about it you will discover that there are simple pleasures in life and happiness which is not about having many things or possessions but rather having peace of mind and gratitude every day.
Minimalist Self-Care Ideas:
1. Practice Self Affirmation
Smile. Go in front of the mirror and utter your positive attributes or tell something positive about yourself and practice it daily. Each one of us is unique and has different talents if you haven’t found yours try to do it and discover yourself more.
2. Take A Walk In The Park
When was the last time you visited a nearby park? Wear a mask and go take a walk to unwind or run. Do something physical and appreciate nature’s beauty.
3. Try A New Recipe
Craving for something, buy the ingredients, and cook. If your travel plan has been put on hold, try a recipe of the place you wanted to visit or try dairy-free sweets check my recipes here.
4. Get More Sleep
Reduce your blue light exposure in the evening. Limit using your phone an hour before you sleep, put it in silent mode, and enjoy extra sleep especially on weekends. Try taking a nap on weekends instead of browsing your social media.
5. Turn Off Social Media Notifications
I have a confession to make here, all of my social media notifications and group chats notifications are off. I intentionally silent them all to help me focus on what I need to do. Try going offline for an hour or two and focus on yourself.
6. Get A Relaxing Shower
Enjoy another 5 minutes in the shower. Light a candle and play soft music for a more relaxing atmosphere and pamper your hair and body.
You could also try practicing skinimalism, a new approach to taking care of our skin.
7. Sip That Coffee
Enjoy coffee and don’t let it cool before you even finish it because you are busy browsing your phone. Make your own coffee instead of buying outside.
8. Listen To Music
Put your headsets on, listen to music or podcast maybe while taking a walk too. Try doing it while walking in the park. I like listening to podcasts when I’m out running it saves time while doing Two activities at the same time.
9. Practice Yoga / Meditate
Allot 10 minutes of your time in the morning or evening and stretch your body. Feel the difference of what 10 minutes of Yoga or meditation can do to your body and practice it daily.
10. Journaling
Start writing your thoughts or feelings, start writing a poem or writing a song. You can also make a habit of writing down your plan for the day. Maybe it will get you started into writing and have your own blog too.
11. Reconnect With A Friend/Family
When was the last time you say hello to an old friend/family use this time to talk to them and catch up? A simple video call can brighten and lighten up both your day and mood.
12. Get Insurance
Let’s be real and practical one of the most important things we can do for ourselves is to plan for our future and make sure we are insured. Talk to an agent and make sure while you are working hard you are protected too.
13. Meatless Monday
If you are trying to learn to become a conscious eater and working your way to becoming healthier why not practice meatless Monday every week.
14. Learn To Say No
There is nothing wrong in saying no and prioritizing whatever you have to do even if you aren’t doing anything in actual. Don’t let peer pressure dictate what you have to do and it doesn’t make you selfish.
15. Try A New Hobby Or Take A New Course
Curious about a new hobby? Borrow from a friend first to check if it’s something you wanted to practice instead of buying right away and keeping it in the cabinet. Try a new course there are websites that offer free tutorials or online courses.
16. Declutter Your Cabinet
Look for clothes you haven’t worn in years’ time, try to pass them to someone else or sell them online or maybe think again if you feel like wearing them. Try Project 333 and work your way to minimalism. I have made a printable tracker help you in doing this. Sign up with your email and it will be sent to your inbox.
17. Clean Your Inbox
Check your google mail or yahoo mail. Unsubscribe to newsletters you don’t need or use. Read and organize emails into folders.
18. Read A Book
Do you have a book that you started reading but not yet finished? Maybe it’s time to read it again and actually finish it. Write a summary so you can use it in the future maybe you can also do a book review.
19. Create A Bucketlist
Write your ultimate dream or goal and post on the wall and work your way with it. Visualize it and set your goals. It will inspire you to know the meaning of why you are working and the meaning of your life.
20. Do A Yearly Savings Challenge
Aside from saving and paying yourself first, this yearly savings challenge is fun to do and you can invite your friends too. Another printable that I made treat this yearly savings challenge as a bonus to yourself download here.
21. Clean Your Bag
When was the last you actually look inside your bag and check what’s in there. Old receipts, tissues, or uncap pen declutter it. Time to clean and maybe disinfect your bag.
22. Drink More Water (Add Lemon too)
Maybe it’s time you monitor how many liters of water you can drink in a day. Try adding Lemon too because it’s good for our body. After waking up in the morning try drinking water first on your empty stomach and be amazed by its benefits.
23. Eat More Fruits
Choose fruits for your snacks. Did you know that consuming a Banana everyday improves your mood. With so many fruits available it is way better than any chips.
24. Clean Your Shoes
Since you already clean your bag might as well clean your shoes especially working shoes. A clean shoes can brighten up your day too.
25. Update Your Curriculum Vitae
Go through your cv and update your resume. If you just finish a new course add it and have it ready in case you are looking for a new job. It is always good to have a good set of document ready because may be you are one step closer to your dream job.
I hope these 25 tips on minimalist self-care ideas will bring more time for yourself. You don’t have to practice or do everything that I listed. You can select a few first and focus on them on what will bring you joy and more energy.
I made a printable copy that you can download or save and post in your wall so that every time you feel overwhelmed you can take a look at it and breath.
Relax and take a deep breath each one of us deserves a little pampering that doesn’t need to be exhausting in our lifestyle or budget.
If you like these 25 Minimalist Self-Care Ideas do share them with your friends too!
Well thought out post!
Such great advice for taking care of us! A few I definitely want to put into practice. Thank you for sharing!
You put together a list that makes a lot of sense and things we sometimes overlook. Sipping my coffee is the goal for this week, rather than gulping it in a rush!