The dictionary of self-care is an alphabetical list of actions one can do in order to take care of themselves. Related entries are grouped by parent item.
Accomplishing something
do the dishes ⬩ make your bed ⬩ pay a bill ⬩ schedule an appointment ⬩ send a ‘thank you’ note ⬩ take out the trash
Baking
an old recipe ⬩ something healthy ⬩ something new
Bathing
Bike-riding
Breathing
belly breathing ⬩ deep breathing ⬩ mindfully ⬩ pranayama ⬩ slowly
Budgeting
Calling someone
a family member ⬩ an old colleague ⬩ an old friend
Cooking
Creating
a healthy eating plan ⬩ a video game ⬩ an app ⬩ an online tool ⬩ art ⬩ music
Cuddling
Dancing
ballet ⬩ ballroom dancing ⬩ belly-dancing ⬩ pole dancing ⬩ salsa
Daydreaming
Doodling
Drawing
Drinking
a hot chocolate ⬩ electrolyte water ⬩ herbal tea ⬩ juice ⬩ water
Eating
a healthy meal ⬩ breakfast ⬩ comfort food ⬩ your favorite snack
Exercising
Fantasizing
Gardening
Grooming
brushing and flossing teeth ⬩ dry skin brushing ⬩ getting a haircut ⬩ hair-brushing ⬩ lotioning skin ⬩ nail care
Hanging upside down
Hiking
Hugging
Introspecting
Joining a group
for a hobby ⬩ for language learning ⬩ for public speaking ⬩ for social events ⬩ for theater
Journaling
getting to know yourself ⬩ how you feel ⬩ keeping a diary ⬩ what matters to you most ⬩ what you’re grateful for
Knitting
Learning something new
a new language ⬩ art ⬩ history ⬩ videography ⬩ woodworking
List-making
a-z list ⬩ bucket list ⬩ grocery list ⬩ to-do list
Listening to
binaural beats ⬩ interviews ⬩ music ⬩ podcasts ⬩ the radio
Looking at
art ⬩ falling sand ⬩ photos of cute animals ⬩ photos of places you'd like to visit ⬩ photos of your life ⬩ raindrops on the window ⬩ your pet
Lounging
Meditating
body scanning ⬩ chakra ⬩ chanting ⬩ mindfulness ⬩ mantra ⬩ metta ⬩ samatha ⬩ third eye ⬩ vipassana ⬩ zazen
Massaging self
Mindfulness
breathing ⬩ meditation ⬩ singing
Napping
Nestling up
Organizing
automobile ⬩ bedroom ⬩ closet ⬩ desk space ⬩ email ⬩ files on computer ⬩ mail ⬩ messy drawer ⬩ pantry
Painting
Petting a pet or stuffed animal
Planning
a day-trip ⬩ a party ⬩ a vacation ⬩ a wedding ⬩ your retirement ⬩ your week ⬩ your workday
Playing
an instrument ⬩ board games ⬩ card games ⬩ video games
Photographing
Practicing self-compassion
Praying
Puzzling
crossword ⬩ jigsaw puzzle ⬩ rubik’s cube ⬩ sudoku ⬩ wooden puzzle ⬩ word puzzles
Reading
a book ⬩ a magazine ⬩ a memoir ⬩ a scientific journal ⬩ comics
Recharging
Reflecting
on life ⬩ on your childhood ⬩ on your life goals ⬩ on your values ⬩ what you’re grateful for ⬩ your career ⬩ your week
Relaxing
Reviewing spending habits
Rubbing ears
Saying no
Scheduling an appointment
for a check-up ⬩ for a manicure or pedicure ⬩ For a massage ⬩ for a teeth cleaning ⬩ for energy work ⬩ for home repairs ⬩ for physical therapy ⬩ for your car ⬩ with a chiropractor
Scrapbooking
Setting boundaries
Sharing feelings with others
Shopping for something you like
Showering
Sightseeing
Signing up for a class
Singing
Sleeping well
Spending time outside
building a snowman ⬩ bird-watching ⬩ cloud-watching ⬩ fishing ⬩ going for a walk ⬩ hiking ⬩ lying in a hammock ⬩ people-watching ⬩ sitting in nature ⬩ taking nature photos ⬩ walking a friend’s dog ⬩ walking your dog
Stretching
Swimming
Taking a class
Talking to a friend
Thinking about something important to you
Visioning
Visiting a friend
Visiting a local place
art gallery ⬩ bookstore ⬩ coffee shop ⬩ library ⬩ movie theater ⬩ museum
Walking
Watching
a funny movie ⬩ a new TV show ⬩ a sappy movie ⬩ children playing ⬩ dogs at the dog park ⬩ rain on the window ⬩ TED talks ⬩ your favorite movie ⬩ your favorite TV show
Window-shopping
Writing
a card ⬩ a letter ⬩ a list of things you like ⬩ a novel ⬩ a play ⬩ a poem ⬩ a song ⬩ a script ⬩ a story ⬩ about your feelings