Self-care is loosely defined as doing something that helps you better take care of yourself. After a hard day, taking care of yourself can help you recenter and find peace of mind amidst the hustle and bustle of life.
Your body and mind need time to decompress after a stressful day at work, fighting with your loved ones, or feeling mentally drained. Let yourself relax by taking care of yourself after a long day. You’ll not only reduce stress and anxiety, but you’ll keep your mind and body healthy too!
You’ll feel more productive when you make time for yourself—I promise. Check out these 20 creative and fun ways to treat yourself after a long day.
20 Fun and Creative Ways to Treat Yourself After a Tough Day
1. Take a Long, Relaxing Bath
Draw a warm bath and relax. Add bath salts, bubbles, your favorite essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus, and light some candles. Dim the lights and play some soothing music.
Lie back and enjoy your bath as you visualize all of the stress from your day washing away with the bubbles. Hot water from your bath will help relax any sore muscles and improve your blood flow.
Related: 10 Powerful Tips to Embrace Yourself and Live Happily
2. Make or Order Your Favorite Meal
Order takeout or make your favorite meal. If you like to cook, make yourself something that you know will make you feel good. Spend some time cooking your favorite meal or make yourself some comfort food.
Ordering food is also good for yourself after a long day. Don’t feel guilty for getting takeout! Get your favorite meal that you don’t typically eat every night and enjoy every bite.
Pair your meal with your favorite beverage and enjoy dinner as if you’re at a five-star restaurant.
Read Also: 8 Proven Methods to Bounce Back from Failure and Thrive
3. Watch Your Comfort Show/Movie
Rewatch an old show or movie that you know you’ll enjoy. Maybe you have a favorite sitcom that always makes you laugh, or you know that romantic comedy that gives you all of the feels.
Spend some time watching one of your favorite movies/shows. These shows are like a cozy blanket for your mind.
Pour yourself a snack, dim the lights, and get comfy while watching your favorite show!
4. Take a Walk Outside
Being outside is so healing for your mind and body. Go to a local park, hiking trail, or if you’re near the ocean, take a stroll by the beach.
Listen to the sound of birds chirping, leaves rustling, or ocean waves crashing. Taking in these tiny things in nature can help you feel more at ease.
If you don’t have access to nature, take a walk around your block and find a place to sit and relax. Maybe you have a park in your neighborhood, or you could just sit inside around your plants.
Just breathe in some fresh air and clear your mind.
5. Eat Something Sweet
Sometimes all you need is a little sugar to turn your day around. Eat your favorite dessert, whether it be chocolate cake, ice cream, or gummy bears.
Sit down and take your time eating your sweet treat. Allow yourself to indulge and enjoy your favorite dessert.
Related: 10 Obvious Signs of an Unhappy Person Hidden Behind the Brightest Smile
6. Journal
Grab a notebook and write down how your day was. Don’t worry about grammar and sentence structure; this is for you and you alone.
Write about what made your day so hard, how you are feeling, and any positives that you can think of from your day. If you don’t know what to write about, try writing down three things you’re grateful for.
Journaling can help you release emotions you didn’t know you had bottled up inside of you.
7. DIY Spa Night
Throw together a spa night for yourself at home. Start by putting a face mask on, then exfoliate your skin and follow up with your favorite lotion.
You can even do yourself a mani/pedi to feel refreshed. Light some candles, turn on some relaxing music, and pour yourself a glass of wine or cup of tea.
8. Dance Like Nobody’s Business
Turn on your favorite song and dance around! Dancing is not only a great workout, but it can also improve your mood.
Dance however you want to dance. Don’t be afraid to get silly and let loose. Your body will feel better after releasing all that tension, and you’ll feel happy from releasing endorphins (your body’s natural happy chemicals)!
9. Spend Time on a Hobby
Do something you’re passionate about! Paint, knit, write, or spend time crafting.
Don’t stress about the end product; have fun with whatever you choose to do! If you love painting, allow your paintbrush to flow without thinking.
If you like to knit, let your fingers knit away and feel the soft yarn glide through your fingers. Allow yourself to feel artistic.
10. Call or Text Your Favorite Person
Talk to someone who will listen and make you feel better. Call or text your best friend, family member, or maybe even your mentor.
Tell them how your day was or simply talk about your day. Sometimes you just need to hear another person’s voice or see a text from a friend to cheer you up.
Connecting with other humans can be the best medicine.
11. Take a Nap
Being tired can make any bad day worse. Take a power nap for 20-30 minutes to help reboot yourself.
Grab your favorite blanket and take a nap. You don’t even have to fall asleep to feel rejuvenated.
12. Buy Yourself a Gift
Treat yourself to something small. Buy yourself a candle, a new book, or a plant to brighten up your home.
This act of self-care isn’t about being materialistic; it’s showing yourself that you deserve nice things on days where you had a tough day.
13. Practice Gratitude
Take time to think or say what you are grateful for today. You can write them down or say them out loud.
Stating what you are grateful for helps you find the positive in your day, which can help you feel more balanced. You can be grateful for anything such as: it being a sunny day, your coworker smiling at you today, or even that you made it through your long day.
14. Stretch/yoga
Stress can build up in your body from a long day. Take 10-15 minutes and stretch your body.
You can even do some yoga! Place your focus on your breathing and let your body move.
Not only will this relax your body, but it will relax your mind too.
15. Play with your Pet
If you have a pet, cuddle with your cat, dog, or play with them. They love you unconditionally and playing with them can help you feel more connected.
16. Plan Something Fun
Plan a fun activity that you can do in the future. Plan a weekend getaway, fun day trip, or even a movie night.
Just by having something to look forward to, you will feel happier!
17. Watch a Comedy
Laughter is the best medicine. Watch a comedy you know will make you laugh.
You can watch funny videos, stand-up comedy, or watch your favorite sitcom that never fails to make you laugh.
Give yourself at least 5 minutes to chuckle, and you will feel better.
18. Clean Something
Your room may be cluttered because you had a bad day. Take five minutes and clean one small area of your home.
You can make your bed, clean your desk area, or straighten up a corner of your room. Cleaning will not only help you clear physical clutter, but it will make you feel like you have your life together.
Read Also: Want a Tidy Home? Here Are 10 Smart Decluttering Tips
19. Read Your Favorite Book
Reading can help you unwind and distract you from your stressful day. Pick up your favorite novel, self-help book, or even a comic.
Spend some time reading and get lost in your book.
20. Give Yourself Permission to Have a Bad Day
Take a minute and reflect on your day. Yes, it was a long day and things didn’t go your way, but you did your best.
Remind yourself that it’s okay to have bad days. We all have good days and bad days; they’re a part of life. Be kind to yourself like you would be to your best friend.
Final Thoughts
You are worth the time and effort it takes to treat yourself. After you had a long day, take care of yourself by doing something on this list.
You do not have to pick just one of these ideas; you can do three or all of them! Just remember you’re doing your best and that’s enough.
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