Follow This Self-Care Routine to Nourish Your Body and Mind
Self-care routines don’t require lavish vacations. You can always create an at-home self-care practice that works with your routine. Try some new things and get into the habit of prioritizing your mental, physical, and emotional well-being with a new weekly routine.
What Does a Good Self-Care Routine Look Like?
Good self-care routines make you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally better. They’re easy to personalize because everyone thrives differently. Explore your interests by journaling or talking with someone who knows you. You’ll connect with yourself by reflecting on habits that relax and fulfill you.
A Weekly Self-Care Routine to Try This Month
You can easily get into the practice of self-care by following this simple routine. Anyone can use it to start their wellness journey and personalize it along the way.
Monday
Start your week with a simple day of self-care support that carries you from sunrise to sunset. You’ll easily manage what might feel like the most stressful day of the week.
Morning
When your alarm goes off, give yourself time to wake up. You could join the 17.3% of American adults who meditate or slowly sip your coffee on your back porch. When you’re ready to get moving, consider doing things like:
- Showering with body wash that smells lovely
- Listening to your favorite music while you get dressed
- Confronting negative self-talk by saying positive affirmations
If you also eat something healthy, you’ll feel ready to kickstart your Monday morning. Your body will have received everything it needs to conquer the day.
Afternoon
When Monday afternoon arrives, give yourself a break. You’ll reset your mind, which could relieve your stress. During your break, think about:
- Breathing fresh air to lift your spirits
- Drinking a glass of water so you feel hydrated
- Chatting with a friend to reaffirm your sense of community
Practicing self-care doesn’t have to take a significant amount of time. Think about what your mind, body, and heart need on Monday afternoons to fit some self-care into your schedule.
Evening
Take time during your Monday nights to have fun and relieve your stress. You should do pastimes that feel engaging, like:
- Playing 30 minutes of your latest favorite video game
- Reading a new book for 45 minutes before bed
- Grabbing a bite to eat with someone you love
Some of your self-care practices should recognize whatever makes you happy. While it’s good to address your physical and mental health, life is much more enjoyable if you save time for fun hobbies.
Tuesday
Make every Tuesday a good day with simple self-care ideas. You’ll know you’ve set up a great routine when you look forward to each new habit.
Morning
As you wake up, make an intention to view your day through a positive lens. It’s easier to keep that mindset if you try:
- Washing your face while saying what you love about yourself
- Naming the goal you’re going to accomplish while commuting to work
- Recognizing one thing you’re proud of doing yesterday while stirring your coffee
Affirmations are powerful tools. They can help you recognize what currently exists and what’s realistically possible. Encourage yourself with a few to start your Tuesdays right.
Afternoon
Tuesday afternoons could be all about nourishing your body. When you get a break between responsibilities, fit some self-care exercise into your day, such as:
- Taking a casual nature walk
- Following a yoga video
- Riding a bike
Building strength through simple workouts is good for your body. Afterward, you’ll feel capable of anything that comes your way for the rest of the week.
Evening
Save some time every Tuesday night for your spiritual wellness. It’s crucial for your mental health because you’ll sustain your inner peace with your beliefs. You might use that time to:
- Read a religious text you prefer
- Listen to a podcast about spirituality
- Journal about where you are in your spiritual life
Adding these simple self-care ideas to your routine ensures you won’t feel spiritually neglected. Try different habits to find activities that best merge with your values.
Wednesday
The middle of the week is a time to recover your energy. Gather your determination with self-care practices throughout your day.
Morning
Try waking up on Wednesday mornings to a new alarm sound. You’ll change your daily experiences and still wake up on time before doing things such as:
- Using a body scrub in the shower to give your skin a clean slate
- Trying a new healthy breakfast recipe
- Wearing your favorite outfit
You’ll never dread another Wednesday if you schedule morning routine habits like these. Feel your best and have some fun — you’ve made it halfway through another week.
Afternoon
Do something that makes every Wednesday afternoon an event. You might love weekly self-care activities like:
- Driving a different way to your usual spots around town
- Getting a coffee from your favorite cafe
- Eating lunch in a new location
Changing your routine without deviating from healthy habits prevents it from becoming stale. Even minor changes will improve your happiness by keeping life from feeling stuck.
Evening
Wednesday nights can be all about what feels most therapeutic. Cater to your mental well-being with strategies such as:
- Listening to rain noises while you read
- Following along with a deep breathing exercise video
- Snuggling under a weighted blanket to ease your mind
It’s best to try these ideas close to bed. You’ll wind your mind down before going to sleep. You’ll even improve your physical health if you relax enough to get a full seven hours of rest.
Thursday
Every day is a chance to live your best life. Make each Thursday better with a self-care routine that nourishes your mind and body.
Morning
Change your mornings for the better with a quick exercise routine. Whether you watch a video or attend a local class, you could get moving before preparing for your day with ideas like:
- A quick jog down the street
- A 10-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout
- Holding a plank for one minute to engage your whole body
You could even swap your Thursday morning exercises each week if you get bored. This way, you’ll get more exercise without using any of your free time later in the day.
Afternoon
The best self-care routines put your health first. Turn every Thursday afternoon into a health-boosting day with habits like:
- Taking the stairs instead of an elevator
- Eating slowly to make food easier to digest
- Drinking 12 ounces of water fortified with electrolytes
You’ll know what’s right for your own well-being as you try new activities. Try journaling about your Thursday afternoons to see what you’re enjoying most often over the coming weeks.
Evening
Be gentle with yourself late in the week. You’ve accomplished so much in the past few days, so keep taking care of your total wellness with self-care such as:
- Practicing an instrument to engage your creativity
- Coloring your stress away in an adult coloring book
- Opting for one alcoholic beverage with dinner instead of two
Trying new ideas leads to new hobbies. If you enjoy more than one activity on Thursday nights, you’re doing self-care right.
Friday
The final weekday arrives with an invitation to prioritize your needs each week. Follow this routine to build your day around your well-being.
Morning
Jump in the shower on Friday mornings after eating breakfast first. You might change up your routine before ever trying self-care practices like:
- Listening to an inspirational or funny podcast episode
- Making a new energizing drink to start your day
- Choosing one activity for your weekend
Basic human needs aren’t just about survival. You also deserve to have fun, look forward to things, and remember that anything’s possible with a new perspective.
Afternoon
Celebrate the end of a successful week by catering to your self-care needs. The afternoon is the perfect time for things like:
- Cleaning where you spend the most time during the week
- Washing all the clothes in your hamper
- Clearing out your inbox
If something helps you feel happier, less stressed, or more confident, it’s a great self-care strategy for your weekly routine. Add it to your Fridays to fill your afternoons with things that make life great.
Evening
Reflect on your week as it winds down on Friday evenings. You could soothe your physical, mental, and spiritual health with ideas such as:
- Journaling about your self-care journey this week
- Lighting a candle to create a relaxing atmosphere while you eat
- Trying a new dessert recipe that’s just a little healthier than you’d normally make
The key to making your routine work is creating a sustainable self-care practice. Experts agree that as long as you keep trying a new habit, it will become instinctive even if you occasionally miss a day or two. Doing the same self-care strategies every week will eventually make them feel as important as any other habit in your life.
Saturday
Your weekend has just begun, and you’re looking for things to do. Prioritize your needs without missing a beat with these weekend self-care ideas.
Morning
Reserve some of your Saturday morning calm for your spiritual well-being. Reflect on what matters with habits similar to:
- Meeting people with similar beliefs for a nature walk
- Reading an article published by a spiritual leader you admire
- Posting a spiritual question in an online forum full of people who share your values
Nurturing your spirituality also strengthens your emotional health. You’ll feel more confident in your convictions and at peace by engaging with your beliefs.
Afternoon
Anything’s possible on a weekend afternoon. When you have free time, add good self-care activities to your day like:
- Planting a garden
- Visiting a local museum
- Attending a therapy session
Your mental health and general well-being will feel much better if you reserve some time for self-care strategies. You’ll still accomplish everything you need to get done before another week begins, just with less stress.
Evening
When the sun starts to set, check back in with yourself. Remember to try at least one of these simple self-care ideas or others that are similar:
- Relaxing in a hot bath
- Hanging out with friends
- Trying a new hobby just for fun
Surrounding yourself with people you love and doing things that interest you most will support your emotional health and mental well-being. You only need to save time for one activity each Saturday night.
Sunday
Ease into a new week with a Self-Care Sunday routine you love. Your day will be full of good self-care that charges you up for Monday morning.
Morning
Give yourself time to wake up with a sustainable self-care practice. When you’re ready to start the day, try hobbies like:
- Painting your nails
- Sipping on herbal tea
- Using a hair or face mask
Your new morning routine should make every Sunday something you look forward to. As long as your activities are gentle, you’ll feel like it’s always a vacation.
Afternoon
Even if you have things to do, save five minutes for some fun. You might love trying self-care activities such as:
- Dancing to a song
- Kayaking with a friend
- Going to a golfing range
Maintaining your physical health shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should be just as exciting as any hobbies that prioritize your well-being.
Evening
End your weekend with things that make you happy. You’ll defeat negative self-talk that might make you worry about your week if you’re enjoying habits like:
- Walking on a nature trail
- Adding to your vision board
- Hyping yourself up with funny positive affirmations
Practicing self-care is all about repetition. Once you start doing these things every Sunday, boosting your mental health will feel second nature.
Craft a Self-Care Routine That Nourishes Your Body and Mind
Anyone can practice self-care, and more importantly, everyone deserves to! Craft the ultimate routine for your well-being with ideas like these that pepper your entire weekly schedule. You’ll make every day better without any major changes.
Want to take your self-care game to the next level? Visit the a little dose of happy blog for more advice and easy-to-implement tips; it’s just a quick click away!
About the Author
Cora Gold is a freelance wellness writer and the editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She writes about self-care, healthy living, and mindfulness for publications including YouAligned, The Balanced CEO, and Om Magazine. To read more from Cora, connect with her on LinkedIn.