18 self-care ideas for the weekend

The weekend is coming up, and after a stressful work week, your body and mind need some extra attention to relieve the stress and stay healthy. I’m going to share some self-care ideas you can do this weekend or any day if you can find the time. Self-care shouldn’t be rushed or feel like a must-do, it should relax and ground you and help you thrive.
Scroll to the bottom for a Free printable self-care bucket list.

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Outdoor self-care ideas

Go for a run or hike in the woods

What is more relaxing than going for a run or walk in the woods? The air feels so fresh, and the trees immediately calm your mind. Go with a friend or your dog, or go alone and do a walking meditation.
Cover yourself when you go in the woods and check for ticks when you get home.

Go near the water

For me, there is no better self-care than being near the water, looking at the movement of the water is so relaxing, and the smell makes me completely zen. Some ideas you can do near the water;

• Go for a walk on the beach
• Go for lunch or dinner at a beach pavilion
• Visit a spa where you can sunbathe, swim and do other activities.
• Relax on the beach or near a lake
• Visit a place where you can see sea creatures, and I don’t mean the ones in captivity – I mean parks, like the manatees in Florida and the seals in the Netherlands. Places where animals are free but also being protected and taken care off.
• Go sailing or hire a longboat and spent a day at the lake.
• If you are more of a daredevil, try power kiting or ride a quad at the beach. There are so many unique things you can do near the water. If this is something that interests you, look up the activities that are available near you.

Not living near the beach? No problem, you can also visit a lake, spa or anything else with water. For the ultimate experience, book a weekend away near the water and feel how relaxed you are when you get back!

Go for a picnic

Make sandwiches, drinks, and other feel-good foods. Pick a lovely place and spend it with your favorite person or alone with a good book. Some ideas of what you can make;

• Italian pinwheels
• Tomato-Manchego tartlets
• Prosciutto melon skewers
• Key lime and blueberry pies in a jar
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Virgin mojito

Visit a farmer market

I love visiting the farmer market. Fresh vegetables, fresh flowers and fish and everything is so cheap! Buy something nice for yourself or order a cup of tea and enjoy the weather.

Practice outdoor yoga

Nothing healthier for your body and mind than practicing yoga. You can do yoga any time of the day, but when you wake up yoga can help you start your day better, and at night it can help you sleep better!

High wine or high tea

If you are someone that recharges around other people, try a high-wine or high-tea. It’s an excellent self-care idea for you. Ring up your best friends and visit a winery for a wine tasting or go to a little cafe and have a high tea. Catch up with your friends, share your thoughts and worries, and enjoy the day!

Work in the garden

Plant some flowers, start a herb and vegetable garden or get rid of the weeds. Working in the garden is not only good for your body and mind, but it can feel very fulfilling to see something grow that you planted.

Treat yourself

Call a friend and go on a shopping spree, get a haircut, a beauty treatment or a massage. Be kind to yourself for the day; you deserve it.

Visit the local shelter

If you don’t have a pet of your own, visiting a shelter can be a very calming and relaxing experience. Cuddle with the animals in the shelter and maybe even adopt one. Nothing cheers you up more than a cuddly friend.

Festival

If you are a crowd person, look for free festivals nearby. Drink some wine, talk with friends, enjoy the music and have a bite to eat.
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Indoor self-care ideas

Binge-watch your favorite series

Somedays you wake up tired and you just don’t want to do anything, these days are perfect to slip into something comfortable, lay on the couch or bed and binge-watch a tv series. Some favorites of mine;

• Game of Thrones
• Westworld
• Altered Carbon
• Arrow
• Grimm
• The fall
• Dynasty
• Riverdale
• Pretty little liars
• True Detective
• The Originals
• Elementary

Cooking & Baking

Some people get massive stress from anything related to the kitchen, but if you love cooking and baking than this self-care idea is for you. Bake your favorite cookies, try a new recipe or make a lovely dinner for your family. Some ideas to get you started;

• Chocolate orange shortbread
• Raw vegan raspberry cheesecakes
• Pancake Tacos with Caramelized Peaches and Pancetta

Bathing

When I moved into a new house I decided I needed a bubble bath, and hell yes, I got one! I take a bath every 2-3 days, mostly with lavender oils or something similar. I make it a whole experience – Lights off, candles on, my favorite oils, and some relaxing music or calming sounds. Of course, I use my favorite Kevin Murphys hair conditioner and put a mask on my face to make it the ultimate spa experience. No matter how stressed I was when I went in, I always feel completely zen after.
If you are looking for a good app that has everything; calming sounds, relaxing meditations and more – Calm is your app.

Journaling

Writing can be very relaxing, and you can do it anywhere! Maybe you like to hold a diary or a bullet journal, but you can also keep a dream journal or a thought journal. Every time you feel overwhelmed you journal a bit to get it out and clear your head. I started my blog cause I had to get out of my head and you know what they say;

‘Shared sorrow is half sorrow’

Do something creative

Working with your hands can help you get out of your head. You don’t necessarily need to be an artistic wonder; creativity is good for everyone. If making something scares you, you can buy a mindfulness coloring book. If creativity is your thing try making these;

• Diy felt protea
• Happy sunflower
• Paper cactus

Have someone take care of you for the day

We all have times that we are so overwhelmed, tired and stressed out that we don’t want to do anything. Ask your partner/mom/friend to be a little extra nice for you that day. Stay in bed and relax and let them take care of dinner and maybe a cup of soup and some tea on occasion.

Declutter

You either hate it or love it, but decluttering can be an excellent self-care tool. Start with your inbox – unsubscribe from all those spam emails, make maps and throw everything you don’t need any more out. If your closet and house can use some decluttering, I strongly recommend reading ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up‘ by Marie Kondo.

Play games

Of course, you can play candy crush, but you can also invite some friends and play board games instead! Make some snacks, put on some music in the background, and catch up while you’re playing. My favorite is Settlers of Catan. Some other games I like to play:

Ticket to ride
Codenames (TIP!!)
Exploding kittens
What do you meme?

Free printable self-care bucket list

Download the Free printable self-care bucket list here.
If you want to fill in your own self-care bucket list ideas click here.
What are some of your favorite self-care ideas to take care of your body and mind?

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