Self care days are important for everyone. Especially for teens with their heavy school and extracurricular workload, it’s essential for them to take time for themselves! Whether it’s taking an afternoon to practice yoga in your room or going for a walk outside, dedicating some time in the day for self-care can make all the difference.

While we hear about nutrition, sleep, and physical activity as key components of well-being, you should also find little ways to boost your mood, colored pens for taking notes or creating positive affirmations are just some ideas!

Everyone has unique methods of looking after their mental and physical health; just remember that in order to make it count, self care has to be intentional.

It is important to practice self-care on a regular basis. Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own wellbeing and happiness. It means taking care of your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health so that you can thrive.

Whether it’s making time for yourself or simply learning how to relax and let go, there are plenty of ways to practice self-care. Here are some of the best self-care day ideas.

Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem. Find an activity you enjoy, such as dancing, running, or playing a sport.

Sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for overall health. Try to establish a bedtime routine and stick to it every night.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being aware of the present moment and accepting it without judgment. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and environment without passing any kind of judgment on them. 

Practicing mindfulness helps you become more aware of your emotions and reactions, which leads to better decision making and mental health overall! 

Healthy Eating: Eating a well-balanced diet can help improve energy levels and overall health. Try to make healthy food choices, such as incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet.

Connect with friends and family: Spending time with loved ones can help boost mood and provide a sense of belonging. Schedule regular outings and activities with friends and family. 

Hobbies and Interests: Pursue your hobbies and interests which can help to develop a sense of purpose and improve mental health. Hobbies and interests not only provide an uplifting outlet but also give valuable insight into the kinds of paths that could lead to success later on in life.

Further, such activities stimulate creativity and cognitive development, as well as provide an avenue for building social skills and relationships with other enthusiastic peers.

Read a book: Reading can be one of the most therapeutic activities and can help reduce stress levels while also helping you relax. Try picking up a new book that you’ve been wanting to read or take time to read an old favorite.

Get outside: Taking time away from screens can be incredibly beneficial for teens’ mental wellbeing. Spend some time outdoors in nature – take a walk around your neighborhood or find a nearby park or beach to explore.

Not only will this give you much needed fresh air but it will also allow you to connect with nature which can help reduce stress levels significantly.

Journaling: Writing down our thoughts can be incredibly therapeutic as it allows us to express ourselves in ways that we may not feel comfortable doing verbally or with others around us.

It also gives us the opportunity to reflect on our day or week and process our emotions in ways that are helpful rather than harmful.

Take up yoga: Yoga is another great way to practice self-care as it helps increase flexibility, strength, focus, concentration, balance and coordination all while reducing stress levels.

Try attending an online class or looking up beginner yoga tutorials on YouTube if you don’t have access to in person classes at the moment! 

Create something: Whether it’s painting a picture or writing a song – creating something can be incredibly therapeutic as it allows us to express ourselves in such unique ways while also providing us with an outlet for our energy when we need it most! 

Connect with friends: Having strong relationships with friends is essential and connecting with them regularly whether virtually or in person (when possible) can help you feel more connected and less isolated during these difficult times.

Take breaks from social media: Social media can often cause more harm than good if not used responsibly so make sure you’re taking breaks from scrolling through feeds every once in awhile.

This will help reduce anxiety levels as well as giving your brain some much needed rest from constantly consuming content every day!  

Seek Professional Help: If you are struggling with mental health issues, seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide support and strategies for managing stress and anxiety. 

Practicing self-care is essential because it allows you to take care of your mind health in meaningful ways. The activities listed above are just some simple ideas for anyone looking for ways to practice self-care – but remember that there are endless possibilities out there so feel free to explore different things until you find what works best for you!

Taking care of yourself should always be priority number one – so make sure you’re taking the time needed each day/week/month/year (whatever works best!) To foster healthy habits that support your overall wellbeing mentally, emotionally physically & spiritually!