The Ultimate Self-Care Checklist For 2022

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Let’s be honest, the past two years have been pretty stressful and uncertain at best, and it’s starting to look like some of those problems will be carrying themselves into 2022 as well. 

This is why I am declaring 2022 the year of self-care!

We all hear about how amazing self-care is and how we need to make more time for it in our daily lives, but what exactly is self-care, and how do we go about adding more of it to our busy routines?

Self-care can take a lot of forms. I simply define self-care as anything that makes me happy. 

Some examples of self-care are,

• Having a spa day
• Taking a nap
• Going for a walk
• Meditating 
• Painting 
• Reading a good book 

These are just a few examples, but you should get the general idea.

Of course, everyone’s ideal self-care activities might be different, so take some time to figure out what best refills your emotional/physical needs.

Sometimes figuring out what your ideal self-care routine is can be a bit tricky, which is why I have created a list for you to try! 

So let’s dive in!

1. Get Ready For The Day 

I know that this one seems simple and even silly to some, but I am DEAD serious when I tell you that this is a mental health game changer! 

Trust me, I know how tempting it is to stay in your pajamas and unwashed messy hair on a day off, but getting ready does make a difference. 

I work from home, so comfortable clothes are a must, which is why I opt for cute matching sweatsuits and maybe a somewhat styled messy bun. 

I am not always on top of this one, but when I remember to put in an effort in the morning, my days feel so much better!

We don’t seem to realize it, but things like:

• Brushing Our Teeth
• Showering
• Washing Our Hair
• Putting On Clean Clothes
• Taking Care Of Our Skin

These are all very important forms of self-care! 

I definitely recommend trying this one out on the days you are stuck at home. It will make a huge difference, and it’s a fairly simple way to add a little more self-care into your routine. 

2. Get Active 

This one is possibly my favorite form of self-care.

I have always been a huge fan of getting my wiggles out, but even if you aren’t someone who enjoys physical activity, you can still find activities that will get your body moving and make you feel good!

Physical activity has so many physical health benefits but did you know that it can also help with your mental health?

Physical activity can aid in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Activities like:

• Yoga
• Swimming
• Going For A Short Walk
• Dancing
• Hiking
• Weightlifting
• Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Running
• Tennis

Just to name a few. I personally like to mix up my activities to keep myself engaged and more active. 

Yoga is probably my go-to activity when I am not feeling like getting up and moving, and it always leaves my body feeling SO much better.

So, find what works for you but most importantly, find time to move your body!

Your body will thank you for it. 

3. Get Outside

Finding time to go outside and be in nature is a quick and easy way to get in a little extra self-care. Find some time to soak up the sun, even if it’s only for five or ten minutes a day. 

Getting some much-needed sunshine aids in our body’s production of Vitamin D. This is important because vitamin D helps our bodies with things like,

• Healthy Bones
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Better Mental Health
• Lower Risk Of Disease 

All I am seeing are benefits here! 

Also, getting outside is a great thing to pare with getting active. So many activities can be done outdoors, and then you have just crossed two of these items off of your self-care checklist!

4. Do Something You Enjoy

Doing something you enjoy can take so many different forms and can be unique to each individual. 

Some examples of doing what you enjoy might include:

• Picking up an old hobby you enjoy
• Watching a movie or tv show you love
• Going for a scenic hike 
• Reading a good book on a rainy day 
• Finding time to do something creative like paint, sculpt, or build something

Life is stressful, and we could all use more time doing something we love. 

5. Practice Positive Self-Talk 

I’ll admit that positive self-talk has been a bit of a struggle for me in the past and is something I am working on daily. 

We often don’t realize how detrimental those negative things we tell ourselves are to our mental well-being. When we tell ourselves we can’t do something or that we are not good enough to do something, those slowly become our truths. 

It’s sad, but so many of us unknowingly hold ourselves back by using negative self-talk. 

So how do we stop?

I personally force myself to come up with three positive things about myself for every negative thing I think. I won’t lie, it’s annoying, but it has worked for me!

Another way you can implement more positive self-talk is by practicing positive affirmations each day. 

An example of positive affirmations would be:

• I am strong and capable
• I am good at what I do 
• I am where I am supposed to be 
• I attract happiness and wealth into my life
• I can overcome my greatest fears
• I am in charge of my own life
• I will not compare myself to strangers on the internet 
• I have the power to create change

Meditation or manifestation is another excellent way to shift to a more positive mindset! 

Whatever method you choose, be kind and patient with yourself; you are doing your best. 

6. Practice Gratitude 

I know that this one sounds a bit silly, but it really does affect our mental health and is 100% a form of self-care. 

When we give thanks for what we do have, we spend less time focusing on the things we don’t. Gratitude helps remove ourselves from that disparity mindset. 

To practice Gratitude, you can try making a list of the things you are grateful for each day or simply saying them out loud. I personally like to say mine out loud with my positive affirmations each morning.

7. Set Attainable Goals

Setting and accomplishing attainable goals can help us feel accomplished and excited about life. Setting monthly, weekly, or even daily goals can allow us to feel on top of our tasks and pride in our accomplishments. 

Short-term goals are a great way to feel accomplished and boost or mental well-being. 

Be sure to read my article, The Guide To Creating Short Term Goals, for a more detailed guide on setting short-term goals.

8. Get Enough Rest 

You have probably heard this one a million times, but that is only because it is true! Sleep directly affects our physical and mental health in so many ways. 

When life gets hectic and children are in play, I know that this step can be challenging to accomplish. 

My advice would be to prioritize sleep when you can, take naps when you are able, and go to sleep early instead of staying up scrolling on your phone.

9. Fuel Your Body With Nourishing Food 

This is another self-care item that makes a huge difference in your physical and mental well-being. 

What we fuel our bodies with defines how we will feel during our days and how much energy we will have to accomplish our goals. 

Some great food options to add to your diet would be:

• Leafy Greens
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower 
• Beans
• Avocados
• Tomatoes
• Apples
• Bananas
• Oranges
• Grapefruit 
• Grapes

You get the idea; basically adding more produce to your daily meals should aid you in feeling better mentally and physically. 

10. Read A Book 

Books are a fantastic way to escape the pressures and stress of daily life, if only for a moment. Plus, if you are into self-help books, they are a great way to learn and grow as a person. 

If you find you are a little too busy to read, you can always opt for an audiobook!

10 Best Self-Help Books For Reaching Your Goals

11. Make Time For Social Interactions

Sometimes we don’t even realize how much we have isolated ourselves from others until we take a second to reach out and socialize with those we care about.

Socializing can take many forms, going out, a friendly phone call, a funny string of text messages. So if you are thinking about reaching out to a friend or family member, just do it. 

As human beings, we all need a little social interaction from time to time, and filling that social cup can go a long way in maintaining our mental health. 

12. Take In Inspiring Media 

Inspiring media can be anything from a good book to what we view on the internet. When we take in things that make us happy rather than anxious or stressed, we feel better. 

If the news is a source of stress, turn it off. If FB has you down, stop scrolling and instead switch to something more happy and enjoyable. 

Other forms of inspiring media might include:

• Audiobooks
• Books
• Movies
• Podcasts
• Music
• Videos
• Blog Posts

You get the idea. Find what inspires you and participate in more of it each day. 

13. Learn To Say No

Learn to stop allowing others to pile more onto your already overflowing plate. Instead, say no when you need to. You don’t owe others your health, and if done kindly, people will definitely understand that you need to prioritize yourself. 

Setting these kinds of boundaries can be challenging but SO worth it! 

14. Declutter Your Space 

Sometimes living in a cluttered space can aid in feelings of anxiety or depression, and a quick tidying can relieve some of those feelings.

Often the state of one’s home directly correlates to one’s current mental health. 

I know this is certainly the case for myself. This is why I have a setlist of chores I MUST accomplish each day even when I’m not feeling like it, just to keep on top of the basics. 

Start small. Tidy a single room, maybe the room you spend the most time in, and see how good it makes you feel!

15. Do Something Creative

This is probably the one I enjoy the most. Creating something is a fantastic way to feel excited and rejuvenated! 

“Doing something creative” can really be a lot of things. Things like:

• Painting 
• Sculpting
• Filming
• Woodworking
• Graphic Design 
• Dancing
• Writing
• Singing 
• Practice An Instrument

Whatever you can think of that leaves yourself with an empowered feeling toward the thing you have created, whether that be a sound, piece of art, or text on a page. 

There are so many different mediums on which we can create. So get creative and find what creative thing brings you the most joy. 

It might seem odd but creating something is an excellent and fun form of self-care. Creating is honestly my go-to self-care task when I am feeling worn down. 

CONCLUSION 

Self-care is so important, especially for those constantly caring for the needs of others. It’s easy to get too wrapped up in what everyone else needs from you and forget about what you might need from yourself.

I challenge you to set a few self-care goals and add them to your daily routine. If you are looking for a more comprehensive guide to implementing self-care into your daily life, be sure to check out my cute new Self-Care Planner.

Start small, find one or two things you enjoy, and start making more time for yourself when you can.

YOU’VE GOT THIS! 

Do you feel that you are already pretty good at implementing self-care into your daily routine? What is your biggest struggle with maintaining self-care?

I’d love to know!

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 Also, don’t forget to check out our cute printable SHOP for fun prints that will help you keep track of your goals and more!

Have a bright day!