30 Best Self-Care Ideas to Actually Heal Your Mind and Soul
Look after yourself with these totally free ways to practice self-care at home.

Self-care is a term that’s so ubiquitous it’s almost lost its meaning. (Thanks, marketers.) But at its core, the best self-care ideas are all about taking time away from your day-to-day responsibilities to make sure that you — your heart, soul, and body — have what you need to handle another day. A good self-care routine is what you turn to when your favorite activities to relive stress — like talking to your friends or trying a new DIY face mask — just aren’t cutting it. Not finding joy in the things you love? That’s a sign you need some serious self-care.
Of course, you can always start by reading some of the most helpful books about self care, but when it comes to the best self-care ideas to try at home, try focusing on the following stress-reducing techniques so you can get your mental health back on track and start seeing things more clearly. These (totally free!) techniques were recommended by therapists and backed by science, so you can rest easy knowing that they're tried-and-true practices proven to work. While self-care is an ongoing process, and never a means to an end, the following things to do by yourself can help you work towards being resilient, calm, and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your way.
Whether you call it self-care, me-time, or “break glass in case of emergency,” here are the best self-care tools and activities to have in your back pocket when times are particularly tough.
Colleen is a health and travel writer in Seattle, Washington. Her work has been featured in Outside, SELF, The Seattle Times, Brit+Co, and others. Find her at colleenstinchcombe.com.

Terri Huggins Hart is an award-winning journalist, lifestyle writer, parenting writer, and race and culture writer who is convinced she's figured out the trick to living life with no regrets: do what you love, give love, lead with love. She's also the writer of an active monthly newsletter sharing tips for motivation and emotional well-being. When not writing, she can be found working out via Zumba or pole dancing, reciting her favorite affirmations and covering her adorable kids in kisses. You can learn more about Terri on her website, TerrificWords.com, or following her on social media @terrificwords.

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