35 Self-Care Tips

All too often, we hear about self-care, but it can be hard to know what exactly self-care can mean. In this growing list, Dear Black Women will share some of the tips we use. Add something we’re missing in the comment section!

MIND

• Find a great therapist or other formal and informal mental health support services. This is not always easy, so here are some resources to help you along the way.
  ○ Resources:
  ■ Finding a Great Therapist + Crisis Support
  ■ Mind & Body Resources
  ■ Affirming Reads & Podcasts
• Aim to belly laugh once a day. Instigate laughter by identifying the people, places and things that inspire belly laughs and shamelessly pursuing them. Resource: Professional Black Girl.
• Burn incense for some aromatherapy.
• Read books that take you to worlds of possibility and promise. Resource: Octavia Butler books.
• Read quotes that inspire and ground you in your worthiness. Resources: DBW Affirmations on the website and on social media.
• Say daily mantras that affirm you. Resource: Dear Black Women Affirmations of the Week.
• Tidy your space. A decluttered space can declutter your mind, too. Resource: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
• Watch online or TV programming with messaging that makes you feel enriched and empowered.
• Write in a journal. Unload everything on your mind on the page, so you have a place to both release and return to for insights.

ART

• Doodle. Even if you are “not” an artist. It can help with relieving stress and inspiring your imagination.
• Draw how you feel. You may be amazed at how you can express your feelings more effectively with images than with words.
• Finger paint with inexpensive paints. The combination of getting your fingers dirty and playing with colors may calm.
• Learn a dance routine and shake your ass (in the privacy of your own home if you are “not” a good dancer). Resource: Mo’nique’s Instagram!!! #LIT.
• Memorize a song you love and sing your heart out (in the privacy of your own home, again, if your singing voice can sound…well…like….. awkward face* Hahaha!)
• Train yourself to notice creative things in everyday life. Art is everywhere. Noticing it could open you up to the unexpected beauty of the world around you and help interrupt negative self-talk. Resource: Brittsense’s art.
• Write an affirmation letter to yourself. Resource: Tips here.

BELLY

• Cook some of your favorite meals.
• Drink lots of water. To make it easier, purchase an inexpensive water bottle and keep it with you.
• Eat meals with more (naturally!!) green foods on the plate than anything else. Resource: Food Heaven Made Easy.
• Meal plan for the week. Dedicate 1 – 2 hours a week to plan out and cook your food for the week. This ensures that you are conscious of how to feed your worthy body throughout the week and helps you not make last minute (likely unhealthy) decisions.

BODY

• Breathe. No, really. Take 1+ minutes to focus on your exhale and inhale. Resource: Breathing Exercises.
• 5 minute dance breaks each day or whenever you remember to your favorite a$$ shaking songs to get you loose and happy. (This is a great place to start for those of us who love to dance, but not exercise.)
• Daily stretches. Let’s face it, a lot of us sit a lot. A good stretch helps with blood flow and will make your body feel a little better.
• Exercise and get your adrenaline going. Start small with 10 minutes a day, gain momentum and add from there.
• Set an alarm to go to bed to get 8+ hours of sleep. Yes, you read right. Set the alarm for when you should start to go to bed.
• Take warm baths and soak in epson salt. To add something extra, add eucalyptus or lavender oils.
• Treat yourself with a self-massage (or a paid massage if money allows). If a self-massage, you can focus on your neck, shoulders, legs, scalp, etc.

SPIRIT

• Create healthy boundaries. A friendship turned toxic? A job overtaking your entire life? Strategize how you can create some more space for yourself. Then, give yourself permission to try to do so.
• Do mirror work. Go in front of the mirror and tell yourself how valuable you are. Repeat it until you believe it more and more. Never did this before? Try it out next time you’re brushing your teeth.
• Get into nature. Walk barefoot in grass. Try to see a sunset or sunrise. There is infinite wisdom in nature.
• Schedule time for play/fun. Even if it’s rare, plan it. You deserve time that’s just for things that make you smile big.
• Scream into a pillow to release some stress.
• Take care of a plant. Something about seeing a living thing grow with the right amount of water and sun can remind us to take care of ourselves as well.
• Worship and pray in alignment with your spiritual practice that fortifies you.
• Write things you are grateful for. Gratitude can shift your focus to abundance.