101 5 Minute Self Care Ideas to Help You Feel Better Fast
Want to practice self care but short on time? I’ve got you covered! How about 101 5 Minute Self Care Ideas to Help You Feel Better Fast?! I’m sharing ideas to help you mind, body, and soul. Doing quick and easy 5 minute self care ideas can be a realistic way to include positive activities in your busy schedule and life.
Why Use This 5 Minute Self Care Ideas List?
For many of us, when we think self care, we think, “I don’t have time for self care!” This may be because self care frequently equates to things that are enjoyable but take time, like doing a spa day, going on vacation, or other time-consuming activities. And while time-intensive self care activities are lovely when you have a lot of time, sprinkling 5-minute self-care activities through your life, month, week, or even day can be a great way to manage stress, improve your mental health, and feel better overall. If you can carve out even 5 minutes a day, taking a mini self care break for yourself can be a huge help!
“Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean ‘me first’, it means ‘me too’.” L.R. Knost
What to Do If You Don’t Have 5 Minutes
Whilst I know there are extreme situations where you truly do not have 5 minutes to spare, for most of us, observing that we don’t have 5 minutes available is a great call to do some soul searching. I know this is really annoying to hear, but not having 5 minutes can mean that you’re not prioritizing your time well. Do you really not have 5 minutes or did you spend 60 minutes watching Netflix? If you’re not sure where your time is going, checking your screen use time on your phone can be really enlightening.
Gentle reminder: You are worthy of self care. You deserve to prioritize yourself. Try this self care affirmation: I’m ready to make time for myself.
The Best Way to Practice Self-Care
Over the past couple of years, I’ve found that the best way to practice self-care is to commit to just 10 minutes a day. This approach has allowed me to integrate self-care into my daily routine, whether it’s by reading in the morning, taking breaks throughout the day, going for a walk, or using an LED light therapy mask to nourish my skin. Your self-care practice doesn’t need to be overly long or complicated to be effective. Keep it simple so it can easily fit into your schedule.
| Time Category | Self-Care Activity Examples |
|---|---|
| Morning | Watch the sunrise, make your bed, or do jumping jacks. |
| Afternoon | 10-minute power nap, walk around the block, or drink water. |
| Anytime | Take deep breaths, use affirmations, or dance to a song. |
Quick Self-Care Ideas to Try Today
Free 5 Minute Self Care Ideas
- Take Deep Breaths: Taking deep breaths is one of the simplest stress relieving techniques out there. A deep breath can indicate to our bodies (and nervous system) that we are safe so we can relax.
- Dance to Your Favorite Song: Dancing is a great way to shift your energy. Put on an upbeat song that makes your body move and enjoy.
- Get Some Fresh Air: Step outside and breath some fresh air, walk around your building, or take a “sun break” to come back to work feeling refreshed.
- Use Positive Affirmations: Take five minutes to say positive affirmations to yourself.
- Make a Gratitude List: Take out a piece of paper and write down things you are grateful for.
10-Minute Self-Care Ideas for the Morning
- Open the windows and let the fresh air in
- Read a few pages from a health and wellness book
- Create your own 10-minute yoga flow or stretch routine
- Step outside barefoot and practice grounding
- Meditate for 3-mins or longer using a meditation app
- Complete a short skincare and makeup routine
- Write down 3 positive affirmations and say them out loud
- Make a small to-do list and highlight just ONE priority
- Enjoy a cup of morning tea or coffee outside
- Unclench your jaw and relax your shoulders
10-Minute Self-Care Ideas for the Afternoon
- Have a 10-minute power nap
- Go on a walk around the block to stretch your legs
- Drink a large glass of water
- Make a quick, healthy snack
- Gently stretch your neck and roll your shoulders
- Watch a beauty or recipe tutorial on YouTube
Final Reminders
Set a 5 minute timer, and enjoy! No overcomplicated routines, no guilt, just small, feel-good habits that fit into your life. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy yourself. Self-care should never feel like a chore.
