7 Self Care Tips To Try This Week

Small change, big impact.

Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed

1. If you've got 3 minutes : Jam out to your favourite song

Michael Hinson

This suggestions comes via commenter Sunshine Then:

"Take 3-5 minutes and absolutely jam out to your favourite tune. Works to reprogram you if you're having a bad day or moment!"

This Spotify playlist is a great place to start: 23 Songs That Make The World Your Personal Catwalk

2. If you've got 5 minutes: Write down one thing to look forward to.

Becky Barnicoat / BuzzFeed

It doesn't have to be giant, just something that will make you sigh happily. Can't think of anything? Here's some that will get you started:

"The first proper grey, wet, windy Saturday where you can totally justify staying in bed all day with your book and a hot cup of tea."

"That particular autumn evening light that makes your shadow really long."

"Crisp, sunshiney days where you can enjoy the sun on your face while wearing a massive jumper."

3. If you've got 10 minuts: Play Magic Piano

Magic Piano

Chelsey writes:

"This charming game is chill and consuming in one go. Think GuitarHero but with piano and for your phone. Choose from a load of song options, from classics to current hits, and follow the dots to play along."

Get it on iTunes or Android

4. If you've got 15 minutes: Cut yourself some slack.

Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed

I wrote an essay this week about learning to accept my weird eating habits. I was really nervous about it (both writing and publishing), but seeing the comments from people who had similar anxieties made me feel great. Cut yourself some slack, and be open about your compassion towards yourself – and you'll be surprised how people respond.

This beautiful essay in Elle treads a similar path (although it covers a very different topic) : I'm Chronically Ill and Afraid of Being Lazy:

"As someone who used to define herself vis-a-vis her work ethic, to become unable to act upon that work ethic is nearly intolerable. My deep fear is that I'm secretly slothful and am using chronic illness to disguise the sick rot of laziness within myself. Surely I can rouse myself from this bed and bring myself to my desk? Surely I can pull myself up by the bootstraps and force myself to work? Instead of bragging online and in person about how much work I've accomplished, I post selfies from my bed, as if to prove that I am, indeed, ill. "

5. If you've got 20 minutes: Take control of your schedule.

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This suggestion comes via commenter daniisael:

"I always take Mondays slowly when I can. I’ll use my flexible time at work and get in later, I’ll give myself an extra break if I need to and treat myself to a nice lunch instead of a packed lunch, just to ease me into the week again."

If you don't have flexible work hours (or if your work schedule is just very busy), try and block out 20 minutes on your busiest day, to just press reset. Tuesdays are always very busy for me, so I have a two-hour fake meeting in my calendar – which means that even if things are piling up, I can still keep some time aside.

6. If you've got 30 minutes: Prep some dinners ahead of time.

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This tip comes from a piece about how to cook when you're depressed, but it's also a great general life tip:

“When you are in a period when your depression is more manageable, cook as much food as you can that freezes, then portion it out in ziplock bags, mason jars, and tupperware. Pasta, soup, pulled pork/chicken, black beans, etc. all freeze really well, and when you are in a low period and have no energy, just pull it out of the freezer and microwave it.” —Kristina Tobin, Facebook

7. If you've got 30 seconds: Follow @teddytheshetland

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This real-life Lil' Sebastian is training to become a disability aid companion and will steal your heart.

This is a weekly series. Have a self-care tip that you think should be in next week’s post? Let me know in the comments or tweet me!