Super Ideas for Self-care Sunday

September is National Self Care Awareness Month, and an ideal time to use Sundays to upgrade your self-care ideas and routines.

 

Move to the beat of your own drummer. Savor a pace that helps you unwind from the stressors and deadlines you may have dealt with during a busy week.

Studies show if mind-body health is your self-care priority and you follow through, life satisfaction increases and you experience a greater sense of well-being.

Self-care allows you to slow down and check in with yourself, meet your needs from moment to moment, and pace yourself, before you get drained, injured, or suffer from emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion.

There is no right or wrong way to do self-care. 

You are a unique individual and what works for you may not be right for someone else and vice versa.

Let your intuition guide you to fine tune your healthy lifestyle habits, and spread wellness and joy within mind, body, and spirit.

If you're someone who thinks it's selfish to take "me time," read What is Self-Care and Why is it Important For You?  

Nurturing oneself is an essential part of living a fulfilling life, and self-care is the simple act of caring well for oneself. 

Dedicate Sundays to those things that relax, pamper, nourish, and help prepare you for the week ahead. 

Another choice is to use the day to accomplish a project you’ve been putting off or haven't had time for during the week.

Give yourself permission to relax whatever you do or don't do, and observe your progress in reaching that goal.

   Super Ideas for Self-care Sunday

1. Keep it simple and set a theme for the day like total relaxation, fun, serenity, or happiness. Try not to do things that detract from the mood you want to create.

2. Give yourself permission to place your head on a pillow and grab some zzz’s. Naps can be a restorative part of your self-care Sunday routine.

  

3. Don't buy into negative self talk, critical messages from others, and old tapes. Studies revealed that individuals may abandon self-care when overwhelmed by symptoms or disability and/or when they feel that they are not supported. 

It's key to a successful self-care outcome, to accept responsibility to root for yourself. 

If you feel you need extra encouragement, get it from supportive friends, family, clergy, or a therapist.

4. Acknowledge that self-care is an important health element and not a selfish act. 

Affirm that you can easily meet your own needs first. Then, you will be better prepared to choose to help others, if you think it's appropriate. 

5. For best results, make self-care tender, self-compassionate, and gentle. Self-care Sunday is a time to refuel. It's not an opportunity to browbeat yourself for lack of motivation, resolve, or past mistakes. 

If you're going through a rough patch, the breakup of a relationship, job loss, or had a loved one die, be especially easy on yourself. Perhaps you'll even compose a mantra. This is mine.

Sometimes the best self-care is to snuggle up in pajamas, and do nothing much but watch a video or read a good book.

6. Sunday activities can reduce stress and save time all week long. Food shop and plan your week day menus. Keep whole grains, legumes, beans, salad fixings, and fruit on hand for meals or snacks during the week. 

That way you won't be tempted to grab junk food on the run. 

Allow yourself to disengage from electronic devices to sense the joy of mindful meal prep and eating.

7. Feed your creative nature each Sunday. Connect to your artistic side by drawing, coloring, collaging, painting, knitting, sewing, making an altar, cooking or baking, decorating your home or office with relaxing colors, gardening, writing in a journal, dancing, singing, or playing a musical instrument. 

Relish any hobby or self-care practice that lets your authentic truth and beauty shine!

8. Set up an epic Sunday spa experience and give yourself a facial, bubble bath, steamy shower, sauna, manicure, or other beauty treatment. 

If you enjoy aromatherapy, candles, and soothing music, add that too.

9. Test out a new plant-based whole food recipe to amp up health. Create a colorful, flavor packed recipe and freeze leftovers for a save-u-time meal. 

A cookbook I use for inspiration is Effortless Vegan by food blogger Sarah Nevins. The recipes have few ingredients, easy instructions, and minimal cleanup.

10. Want to use Sunday to contribute to a greater good? Include volunteer work, phone a sick relative or friend, work on a climate change issue, or support efforts to save voter rights. 

Use my ideas or focus on any you are passionate about. Altruistic efforts help shift perspective and improve mental health.

11. Breathe deeply and open to the stillness inside. Try prayer, mindful meditation, yoga, or other healing practices this Sunday to help nurture yourself. 

Contemplative self-care builds self-knowledge and resilience, especially for times when you need to cope with challenges in life.

12. Inhale healing energy and exhale tension with a nature walk in your garden.  

Other alternatives are a jog down a tree-shaded place, picnic in a park, bird watch in a preserve, or stroll in other outdoor green space. 

A study published by the NIH revealed people who lived close to green space had lower rates of anxiety, depression, and poor physical health than those who lived nearer to the concrete jungle. 🌳

Carefully consider which self-care practices help you the most, and prioritize those activities to support your personal concept.

Use self-care habits to relax, heal, and refresh yourself on Self-care Sundays.

Why not carry self-care into weekdays as well? Self-care can help you attract and manifest optimal health every day of the year! 💗

How has self-care enhanced your life? Please share about it below in the comments section.

Did you get any new ideas about a self-care practice mentioned in this post? Is it one you may have overlooked or slacked off about doing? Please explain.

I read and appreciate every comment, but will not publish comments that contain links. Thanks for understanding. 

This post is intended for entertainment and information only. If you need medical advice consult with your health care provider.

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