Stuck at home? Whether you’re currently choosing to stay indoors due to the pandemic or you simply hate the idea of going outside, there’s no better way to enjoy your time at home than indulging in some serious self-care.
First things that may come to mind when we think of self-care are hour-long skincare routines and soaking up in the bathtub. I like to think of self-care as something that rather comes from the inside out.
Don’t get me wrong. I definitely have nothing against pampering ourselves, but I’m also a huge advocate for well-rounded routines that include looking after ourselves in every single way: physically, mentally, and soulfully.
Without further ado, here are some of the best self-care activities you can do today even if you’re stuck indoors!
Self-Care Ideas For When You Can’t Leave The House
Host your own aromatherapy session
Burn candles, diffuse essential oils, and turn your house into an improvised aromatherapy session! Not only is being inside a place that smells good incredibly nice, but scents have been proven to have a huge effect on the way you feel.
If you’re feeling stressed, scents like lavender or ylang-ylang can help. If you’re in need of a boost in energy, rosemary will do just the trick. Frankincense is another great option if a good sleeping session is what you’re after!
My trick to make essential oils potently is to steam up the shower and use them in the bathroom! I do this especially if I have a stuffy nose or feel congested. I rub a little eucalyptus oil on my hands and waft it around my nose. It can be strong depending on how much you use and how close it is to your nose. So use your discretion if you like it that strong.
Another option a little milder is to plug up the tub, sprinkle a few drops (or maybe a lot of drops) in the tub while standing in a nice hot shower! The water keeps your feet warm and then you get a gentle sweet scent wafting around you. This is definitely a must try at least once if you haven’t already!
Re-adopt a hobby you loved as a kid
It’s not secret that connecting with your inner child can help you see the world with a little more joy. A great way to do that is by re-adopting hobbies and interests we used to love when we were little but that slowly took the backburner once we started growing up.
What did you love doing when you were a kid? It can be as simple as getting your hands dirty and painting a picture, building a fort in the living room, or re-adopting that long-lost interest you once had for dinosaurs!
Seriously, whatever it is, it’s never too silly. It’s never too late to re-adopt a hobby to make your inner child happy and as a result, make adulting feel a little lighter.
Journal
Journaling is one of the biggest forms of self-care. Creating a habit out of writing down about your days, including your thoughts and emotions has been proven to help process and approach situations in a much more effective way.
Even if you’re not currently going through a difficult time, writing simple things down, be it something someone said that made you smile or about an activity that brought you joy during the day can be a great way to identify happy thoughts and get you doing more of it.
As a note, you definitely don’t need to write a thousand-word essay on your day every day. In fact, one of the most effective ways to journal is to give yourself 5 to 10 minutes every evening and write freely – anything that comes to mind counts!
If writing by hand is not your thing, it is okay if you type it digitally. There are several apps that you can use that will even give your journal prompts you can use like Day One. There’s also apps that you can record verbally your journal entries, just like talking to a friend. There are also various email challenges that can help to inspire your interest in journaling each day.
The point is you have A LOT OF options! 🙂 Explore a different types and see which ones resonates most with you!
Try a new way to exercise
When you’re stuck at home, it can be incredibly easy to remain sedentary. Even if you’re not crazy about running on a treadmill for hours, getting a little exercise every day is incredibly important for your physical and mental health.
The great thing about being stuck at home? You may have a little extra time on your hands to try a few things out! YouTube is your best friend here. I personally love doing cardio dance classes and yoga classes. As you may know, I’m releasing more yoga videos each month to help you relax and calm the mind but also to help stretch and move the body in a way that feels good for you. Come try out this gentle 20-minute slow flow with me! It’s one of the first pre-recorded Yoga Videos I’ve filmed on my channel.
Set up your own spa at home
Even though self-care comes from the inside out, pampering yourself is also key to feeling well.
Although nothing quite compares to booking a day at the spa, setting up your own little spa at home can be a ton of fun. Think DIY mani-pedis, reading a book while soaking in the bathtub with bath bombs, or trying out fun new hairstyles or looks!
Schedule worry time
Scheduling time to worry about everything may sound super counterproductive, but hear me out.
Setting a specific time to worry about the things that are bothering you will not only teach you how to redirect your brain. If it starts to think about problems outside of “worry time” but having a designated schedule to worry about things will also train your brain to approach problem-solving with a clearer head.
P.S. Keep your scheduled worry time away from bedtime!
I hope this list of self-care activities to try when you’re stuck indoors. Here are some ideas to make your day a little easier and more focused on your overall wellbeing. If possible, make it your mission to turn these activities into ongoing habits even after you’re free to roam outside!
Interested in more self-care ideas? Come join the fun in the Private Facebook Group where we have weekly meditations and tips and resources on living a life with more joy!
