5-minute self-care activities are perfect when you don’t have the time to pause. Check out this list of 101 refreshing ideas that will fit right into your busy routine.
Self-care is the best form of love for your body, mind, and soul. It is an expression of care to your inner-self, a reminder to your mental health that it matters and is worthy of being given the first priority.
Who doesn’t want to explore the realm of self-care? It is one of the best tools for your mental growth, after all.
But time is of great essence too, which is why most of us end up missing out on the great advantages of self-care.
Thankfully, there are ways you can access it without giving away a lot of your time.
Believe it or not, five-minute self-care activities do exist, and they are just as effective as a spa day or a long bubble bath. But before diving more into this, let’s talk a little about self-care activities.
What Are Self-Care Activities
For those of you who are just now getting familiar with self-care, here is a simple definition.
Any activity that busts your stress, hones your mental health, and enhances your wellness, falls under the umbrella of self-care.
These are the activities that you should perform on a daily basis for your overall well-being.
Those who practice self-care regularly find it easier to navigate through problems. They know how to look after their intrinsic needs and are great at being their own best friends.
Don’t ignore your need for self-care; you can’t pour from an empty cup.
If you’re looking to be successful in whatever vision you have for life, you need to have a deep connection to your soul, a feat that is easily achieved through regular self-care.
Self-Care Reset
There are a ton of benefits of self-care. If I were to list all of them, it’d be ages before I could conclude.
But my favorite thing about this beautiful activity is its immense power to reset your life.
I swear self-care is like a refresh button. You can press it as many times as you’d like, and get the same feeling of being recharged every single time.
Related Post: 11 Signs You Need A Mental Break In Life
Whenever we talk about resetting our routine, there’s this immediate need to procrastinate this task.
I mean, hitting reset is supposed to be a pretty big deal, or so it seems because of all the new changes it brings to your life. But self-care is a magic button that doesn’t ask much of you, not even a huge chunk of your time.
The truth is that you don’t need to put things on pause for self-care. Even 5 minutes are enough to make a difference, as long as you’re willing to implement some good ideas.
Like the post so far? Pin it to your favorite board to read again later. 🙂
This post is all about 5-minute self-care activities that will freshen you up in an instant. These are the ideas that I personally use every now and then whenever I am looking for a quick mind reset.
Hope you have a good time.
101 Acts Of Self-Care That Will Take You 5 Minutes
Before getting started, here’s a peep at the categories we’ll be exploring for today’s quick self-care routine:
- Self-care for introverts
- 5-minute self-care activities for your body
- Short self-care activities
- 5-minute self-care activities for your soul
- Self-care reset in 5 minutes
Feel free to jump to the category that appeals to you the most!
SELF-CARE FOR INTROVERTS
1. Create a short journal entry about your day.
2. Apply a face mask and rest your body.
3. Wake up early and catch the morning sunlight.
4. Stand in front of a window to breathe in the fresh air.
5. Use your phone recorder to tape an uplifting message with some strong reminders.
6. Do a yoga asana of your choice.
7. Have a quick self-introspection session.
8. Turn off your phone notifications.
9. Have a cup of coffee in solitude.
10. Observe a plant near you. Touch its leaves and allow nature to heal your thoughts.
11. Make a list of things you are grateful for today.
12. Write down your plans for tomorrow.
13. For the next 5 minutes, entertain only positive thoughts in your mind.
14. Listen to a song that reminds you of happy things in life.
15. Paint your nails in a bright color to feel gorgeous.
16. Eat something healthy for your gut.
17. Read a blog on mindfulness.
18. Add books to your wishlist.
19. Tidy up your desk.
20. Make plans for a personalized bedtime routine for tonight.
5-MINUTE SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR BODY
21. Dip your feet in warm water and relax on a comfortable chair.
22. Do a 5-minute stretching routine.
23. Sip on a refreshing glass of water.
24. Go outside for a 5-minute walk.
25. Take a quick shower using a scented body lotion.
26. Drink a glass of vegetable juice. It’s amazing for your gut health.
27. Write down some beautiful health affirmations for body positivity.
28. Splash water on your face for instant freshness. Use a gentle towel to dry yourself.
29. Breathe in and breathe out for 5 minutes.
30. Lie down on your bed with your eyes closed, and try to empty your brain of rampant thoughts.
31. Pace in your room to shake off your anxious nerves.
32. Dance to your favorite upbeat song.
33. Relax your jaw, let your limbs fall loose, and imagine your restless energy seeping out of your fingers and toes.
34. Roll your shoulders clockwise and anticlockwise, then do the same with your neck.
35. Do face yoga while looking in the mirror.
36. Have a cup of green tea. It has some amazing health benefits.
37. Massage your head for self-relaxation.
38. Browse online for some body-care items and add them to your wishlist.
39. Do 100 jumping jacks to get your heart pumping.
40. Munch on an apple to keep the doctor away. 🍎
Related Post: How To Attain The Ultimate Body Wellness
Short Self-Care Activities
41. Relax your body and allow yourself to tune out any noise.
42. Breathe in through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.
43. Watch a random inspirational video on YouTube.
44. Light a scented candle and observe its flame for soothing vibes.
45. Moisturize your face.
46. Put on a shiny lip balm.
47. Pray for strength, courage, and enlightenment.
48. Doodle on a page to express your chaotic thoughts.
49. Uninstall apps on your phone that you don’t use anymore.
50. Declutter your phone’s gallery.
51. Plan a self-care session for the coming weekend.
52. Oil your hair and massage.
53. Prepare a cup of Indian chai.
54. Prepare a salad with the available ingredients in your home.
55. Read motivating quotes online and write down your favorite one.
56. Draw a smiling face on your hand.
57. Make your bed.
58. Create a feel-good playlist.
59. Lounge around your house in your best-looking comfortable clothes.
60. Eat two healthy fruits.
5-Minute Self-Care Activities For Your Soul
61. Browse Pinterest for some soulful content. Pin the ones you like.
62. Learn how to master emotional self-care.
63. Send a text to a friend showing your gratitude for their presence.
64. Do Surya Namaskara (sun salutation) for healing vibes.
65. Observe the sky and recognize your limitless potential.
66. Write a short note for your future self.
67. Speak self-love affirmations out loud.
68. Have an uplifting pep talk to yourself.
69. Set some achievable goals for your mental health.
70. Conjure up a vision board to create in your free time.
71. Make a list of things you need to let go of.
72. Sit in bed and allow your thoughts to drift.
73. Write down 3 acts of kindness you’d like to perform in the coming week.
74. Close your eyes and focus on every little sound around you.
75. Order your favorite food without any guilt.
76. Read a poem you remember from your childhood.
77. Stop overthinking for the next 5 minutes (if possible, stick to this state of mind for the rest of the day.)
78. Hug yourself as a cute show of self-love.
79. Do stargazing on a clear night sky.
80. Watch a random 5-minute standup for some heartfelt laughter.
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Self-Care Reset In 5 Minutes
81. Declutter your workspace.
82. Listen to the first five minutes of a podcast.
83. Recognize your toxic habits and set mindful intentions to discard them.
84. Quickly organize your wardrobe.
85. Make use of a coloring book to recharge your mind through colors.
86. Call a friend and share your short-term goals with them. It’ll help you feel accountable.
87. Wishlist items for a personalized self-care kit.
88. Form an action plan to adopt healthy food habits.
89. Volunteer online for a cause you believe in.
90. Read positive affirmations for mental strength.
91. Read the first two pages of a self-help book.
92. Do a brain dump by jotting down things that you can’t control but still worry about.
93. Change the wallpaper and screensaver of your phone.
94. For the next few minutes, slow down your thoughts.
95. Sort through your email inbox. Delete emails you don’t need.
96. Set positive goals and intentions for the next month.
97. Do tarot readings.
98. Separate all items of clothing you haven’t worn in the last year.
99. Plant a tree. Feel the healing tendencies of the soil.
100. Iron your clothes for the next day.
101. Learn about self-care!
Try These 5-Minute Self-Care Activities For Instant Relaxation
You might be running short on time, or simply have no energy to organize a dedicated self-care session. But as you can see, 5-minute self-care is totally a thing.
So, go ahead and try it right now. Pick something from the list and give it a shot. And once you’re done, drop a comment down below sharing your experience.
Some new suggestions are always welcome. 😊
Debbie says
This is such a great list of quick self care activities. I love the suggestion to apply a face mask and rest your body – perfect quick tip!
Akansha says
I love those tips too! DIY face masks are awesome for quick self-care. I’m happy to know that you liked the list. Thank you for leaving a comment, Debbie.
Dinah says
I found this blog super helpful! It’s given me some good ideas for improving my self-care routine. Thank you for sharing!
Akansha says
Thank you, Dinah. Glad to know I could be of help. 😀