There are so many different ways to practice self-care, and—to be honest—you’ve probably heard all of them more times than you can count. Take a soothing bubble bath, put on a face mask, listen to some relaxing music—you know the drill.
While self-care can be anything you want it to be, and it’s something that’s different for everyone, sometimes it’s fun to switch up your go-to method of recharging. And there’s a good chance these creative ways to practice self-care aren’t yet on your radar.
5 Unique Ways to Practice Self-Care
1. Watch a Horror Movie
It seems weird to watch a horror movie in order to unwind and recharge, but there’s science behind it. Past research has shown getting a good scare is actually a beneficial way to reduce stress, even helping you feel less anxious. Basically, putting on a scary flick scares the stress right out of your body—unless they absolutely terrify you, which is only going to add more stress. In that case, watch a funny movie instead.
2. Play Interior Designer
Instead of just daydreaming about the stunning homes you see on Pinterest, unleash your inner interior designer and have some fun redecorating your own home. After getting a little inspiration, take on some projects to help you unwind. Maybe it’s repainting a tv stand, or putting a stencil design on one of your walls. Whatever you choose, it’s a great way to reduce stress.
3. Act Like Your Own Best Friend
If you spend all your time going out of your way to do nice things for others, it’s time to give yourself the same treatment. Pretend like you’re taking care of a friend for a day and go above and beyond to make yourself happy. That could mean picking up a latte from a coffee shop you love, even though it’s further away, or taking yourself out for ice cream. The options are endless.
4. Declutter Your Social Media
How many times do you get on Instagram or Facebook only to be left feeling worse after you get off? Take some time to unfollow and unfriend anyone who makes you unhappy, and don’t feel bad about it—not even a little bit. You’ll instantly feel lighter, and your apps will be a much happier place to scroll through in the future.
5. Write an “It’s Done” List
Typically, you only write to-do lists. And those are undeniably stressful. As an act of self-care, write an “it’s done” list. It might feel silly listing out everything you’ve already accomplished on a particular day or week, but it’s a great way to show yourself all your achievements—even the small ones, like doing laundry!—opposed to only focusing on the things you still need to do.
