Welcome to the 14 day self-care challenge! Something tells me you’ve stopped by because you’re in need of some well-needed self-care ideas and you’re hopefully ready to prioritize those needs.
Well friend, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, I have for you a 14 day self-care challenge that requires only a small portion of your day to complete each idea.
Let me just throw this quick reminder into this message – Self-Care shouldn’t feel like something we do “when there’s enough time”. It also shouldn’t be something we rush or continuously put off until we break down. No, self-care needs to be in the front of our minds, and a daily priority.
This challenge is meant to set as a reminder that with some practice and a little bit of planning, you should always be able to find time in your busy day for self-care. After all, if you really think about it, when are you able to function at your best? Is it when you’re overtired, overworked and unhappy? My guess is no.
Your high-peak performance comes from a well-rested, balanced and happy mindset. So, taking some time every single day for some self-care will help increase your overall performance and mood.
14 Day Self-Care Challenge
Day 1: Go For A Nice Walk/Hike In Nature
Go outside into nature. Whether that be a nice long walk, bike ride or a hike, pick your favourite. Spending time outside in nature is proven to boost your mental health and lower stress levels. It’s a simple, enjoyable and efficient way to relieve some stress.
Day 2: Listen To An Inspiring Podcast
One of my favourite things to do while driving is listen to a great podcast. I personally love listening to ones that give me a boost of positivity but there are an endless amount of free podcasts available out there, you can be sure of finding one that brings you joy.
Day 3: Binge Watch Your Favourite Show
If you want to spend a good portion of a day in your pajamas, cuddled up on your couch, binge watching your favourite show – there’s no harm in that. We all need a day of just simple rest and relaxation. One Tree Hill is my all-time favourite go-to show to binge, what’s yours?
Day 4: Have An At-Home Spa Day
Grab your bubble bath, your favourite candle, a good book and some epsom salt because today is your full on pamper day. Pretend your home is your personal spa. Take a luxurious bath, throw on a calming face mask, paint your nails. Whatever “spa-day” means to you, pamper yourself – you deserve it!
Day 5: Go Out For A Coffee With Your Friend
The power of human connection is amazing. Sometimes a coffee-date or a small outing with a friend or someone close to us can have a tremendous positive effect on our overall mood. Try picking up the phone and making a date today.
Day 6: Make A Gratitude Journal
Practicing gratitude is very impactful. Whether that be in a journal, through the notes on your phone or simply just saying them out loud to yourself, expressing what you’re grateful for will remind you of the positives in your life and can instantly bring you a sense of joy.
Day 7: Make A Wholesome Dish
Feeding our bodies with the good stuff is what helps fuel our minds with good stuff too. Head on over to Pinterest and check out some great wholesome dishes you can make if none come to mind. Either way, try to get a good amount of protein, fruits and veggies into your diet today.
Day 8: Learn A New Hobby/Skill
I tried crocheting for the first time last year and I actually really enjoy it. I can easily be watching my favourite show, or sitting outside in the sun while practicing this hobby and my skills are improving at the same time. Trying new hobbies should be fun, find something that interests you and test it out.
Day 9: Drink A Glass Of Lemon Water First Thing In The Morning
Lemon water is a simple and delicious beverage you can incorporate into your morning routine. It’s said that drinking lemon water in the morning can help boost your metabolism, cleanse your system, aid with digestion and more. It’s also very refreshing and can be served cold or warm.
Day 10: Clean Up Your Social Media
We’ve all been there. We start following all these people and accounts that might’ve resonated with us at one point but no longer serve us much good. If you’re finding yourself feeling more down and disturbed after being on your social media for a little bit, it could be time to do a clean up of the people and accounts you no longer need. Removing accounts that don’t bring you joy and instead feel like more of a toxicity to your mood will help your overall health by no longer needing to view things that don’t bring your joy and happiness.
Day 11: Do A Calm Morning Yoga Flow
Think about this for a second; when you’re sleeping, your body is for the most part, still. A good morning yoga flow or even just a good stretch will start up your whole system and boost your mood. Your muscles probably feel a little tense first thing in the morning, so a nice stretch will release that tension and just overall make you feel great.
Day 12: Have A Digital Detox Day
Much like Day 10, a good day off from social media can significantly reduce stress and boost your mood. Constantly tuning in to what everyone else online is up to can sometimes be draining, most definitely time-consuming, and can sometimes lead us to the comparison trap. Take a day to just focus on everything around you rather than the online world.
Day 13: Create A Relaxing Night Routine
Let me just say that I was not impressed with my recent dentist appointment. I was told I had some cavities, which I will definitely take the blame for as I hadn’t gone in 3 years (oops). Needless to say, I’ve now taken enough time out of my night to make sure I do the whole teeth cleaning shabam (flossing, mouthwash, 2mins of brushing) and it feels great. My night routine is also accompanied by a nice warm tea, a proper facial cleanse/moisturizing and some downtime with a good read. I would say anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour is a great foundation for a solid night routine.
Day 14: Write Your Future-Self A Letter
Much like journaling, this could be a fun reflection time for you. Tell your future self how you’re feeling currently with where your life is at. What your plans are for your future and where you hope to be. Then, in a few years you can reflect back on that letter and see how far you’ve come. Sometimes I read over my old journal entries and am amazed by how far I’ve come from then. It can feel very healing.
And there you have it! A simple, yet efficient 14 day self-care challenge you can begin today. If at any point one of these ideas don’t resonate, don’t be afraid to switch it into something of your own. This is your self-care journey and you know your body and needs better than anyone else.
If you can leave here with any piece of advice, let it be this – Your mind, body and soul are what carry you through life and on this earth. It’s important to take care and protect these three components every single day. No one else will do that for you, as well as you can for yourself. Take a break from the distractions and craziness of life and show yourself some love.
Happy Self-Caring! 😊
Tiffanie
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