A woman relaxing on the couch, meditating with her eyes closed to represent self care Sunday.Photo byPeopleImages.com - Yuri A via Shutterstock

Self-care is vital to a healthy, productive life. Unfortunately, far too many of us skip out on this crucial wellness activity.

Embracing self-care Sunday forces people to take time out of their hectic lives to give themselves a much-needed break, if only for a few minutes.

Here’s why self-care is essential for a happy life and tips for incorporating self-care ideas into your Sunday routine.

Why is Self Care Important?

Self Care is taking time out for you to take care of yourself. In our busy, high-paced, stressed-out lives, we’re always doing something – whether that means working, caring for someone, running errands, or even hustling. Our lives are incredibly demanding - it's never-ending!

That’s why taking a step back to recharge and care for ourselves is vital. Unfortunately, many of us learned that taking a moment for ourselves is selfish, and we often feel guilty for even considering it.

But that just isn’t true.

We can’t take care of others if we are suffering from burnout. Taking time to care for yourself is essential to your family's well-being.

What is Self-Care Sunday?

Self-care is so crucial to your well-being that you should dedicate an entire day to it.

Of course, you should practice self-care every day if you can. However, life often gets in the way, and it’s hard to carve out time on one day, much less seven, for self-care activities.

Self-care Sunday forces you to take time out of at least one day to pamper yourself. It’s saying, "Hey, this is super important. Remember to do this, at least on this one day, and more often if possible."

How Can I Have Self-Care on Sunday?

Instituting a self-care Sunday may seem out of reach to you. I get it – even if you aren’t working (obviously, not everyone even has Sundays off!), there’s always a ton of stuff to do. You don’t have to dedicate the entire day to relaxation (though you should if you can!).

You can start by finding just 10 minutes to treat yourself. Give the kids an activity that will keep them occupied – or even institute family self-care time (why not teach them early that taking care of yourself is important?).

Let the chores wait – they aren’t going anywhere anyway. Even the busiest among us can find 10 minutes one day a week to relax.

After you make the 10 minutes a habit, work on expanding it. Take 20 minutes the next week, and see if you can build up an hour.

You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel and how much more you can accomplish for your family.

What Are Some Self-Care Sunday Ideas?

There are many ways to embrace self-care Sunday, but typically, time is a factor.

That’s okay - there are plenty of options for even the busiest among us. Our self-care Sunday ideas are broken down for folks with varying amounts of time available, from as little as 10 minutes or less to a full day they can dedicate to self-care.

Self-Care Sunday Ideas in 10 Minutes or Less

Go for a Walk

It’s amazing how refreshing a five-minute walk can be. Being outside is enough to give us a little boost and help us recharge. Getting the blood flowing with a bit of exercise is a bonus.

It doesn’t have to be a long walk. I’ve found that a quick stroll around the block works wonders to get me feeling refreshed and refocused.

Give it a try!

Deep Breathing

Taking a few minutes to focus on deep breathing is an excellent way to ground yourself. Maybe 10 minutes isn’t enough for a full-on mediation session, but taking some time to concentrate on your breathing, and take in full, deep breaths, will do wonders for your mental health.

Start by closing your eyes and taking a full deep breath in. Slowly exhale, completely emptying your lungs.

Breathe deeply like this for a few minutes, and I guarantee you will feel better.

Stretch

Another quick way to get self-care in is to stretch. Stand up and reach for the sky!

Next, try to touch your feet. Stretch your back and arms. Easy stretches will boost your energy and are good for your muscles.

Journaling

Journaling is a great way to let all of your thoughts flow out of you. Sometimes we don’t even realize we hold things in until we start writing them, and when we start writing, the negativity flows out of us and onto the paper.

If you’re struggling to start, consider journaling about gratitude. Write out a few things that you’re thankful for each day. Taking this time to acknowledge the good in your life is an instant mood booster.

Pamper Your Face

While it's true that you shouldn't over wash your face (you have to avoid that try skin!), an exfoliating scrub can help freshen your day.

Treat yourself to a quick cleanse.

Finish off with your favorite moisturizer. Your skin will feel fresher and reinvigorated, and as a bonus, it will help reduce acne and oily skin.

30 Minute Self Care Ideas

Read a Book

Obviously, you can’t read an entire book in 30 minutes. But that’s enough time to pick up a book and read a chapter or two.

I have a giant reading list of books I want to read, and it’s been challenging to find a few spare hours to read them. But when I realized I didn’t need to read through an entire book in one sitting, I miraculously started reading more books.

Thirty minutes daily is enough to get through a book a week.

Meditate

Thirty minutes provides enough time for a productive meditation session. When you’re meditating for self-care, it’s best to focus on Zen meditation. This meditation method is about clearing your mind and letting go of all your stress and worries.

Spotify has some great options for Zen meditation, but you can also buy some digital downloads on Amazon. Just 15-30 minutes of meditation can improve your mood and increase your mindfulness.

Go for a Jog

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for self-care. It’s hard and often painful, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.

The most apparent benefit is improved physical health. Jogging burns calories, helps with weight loss, and improves heart health.

It has mental health benefits as well. Working out releases endorphins, feel-good hormones that improve your mental state throughout the day.

Color

Adult Coloring Books are all the rage. Coloring is a great way to tune out the world and focus on something non-consequential.

It may seem mundane, but you’re giving your brain a break from all the stress and worry. I have a Buffy the Vampire Slayer adult coloring book, and I love it. After about 20 minutes of coloring, the anxiety just melts away.

Self-Care Sunday Ideas for When You Have As Much Time As You Need

Take a Bath

A bubble bath is the quintessential self-care Sunday idea. The luxurious appeal of a warm, fragrant bubble bath can’t be overstated. It’s indulgent, relaxing, soothing, and the perfect way to unwind after a long week.

It takes me nearly 15 minutes to draw a bath to my liking, and then I want to soak for at least 15 minutes, if not more.

Improve your bath with calming music, scented candles, and luxurious bath scrubs.

Go for a Hike

Hiking is so much better than walking or jogging around your neighborhood. It allows you to get outside for a great workout while enjoying the splendor of nature.

Physical activity is always good for the body, while being outside in nature works wonders for your emotional health. A walk through the woods makes us slow down and appreciate the majesty of the world we live in.

Sometimes that is all we need for a boost.

Watch a Guilty Pleasure Movie/Show

We often don’t consider entertainment a self-care activity, but it can be.

Watch that movie you’ve been aching to see or throw on some mindless entertainment. Sometimes self-care means taking the opportunity to check out, if only for a few hours.

Sometimes falling into a fictional world is an excellent release.

Indulge in Your Favorite Hobby

Taking time for yourself can be about more than just relaxing. Self-Care also includes taking the time to do things that you love.

Use this time to draw in your sketchbook, knit a hat, or write a chapter in the novel you are working on. This type of self-care can lead to a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that's hard to find elsewhere.

This is also an excellent time to explore your passions and indulge in creative hobbies. Perhaps you will discover something that you didn't even know was missing!

Have a Spa Day

To truly pamper yourself, head to the spa for a day. Treat yourself to a luxurious mud soak and stress-reducing massage.

Spas offer rounded menus of self-care options, so whether you need to work out those knots in your back or sit back and soak in some heat, there’s likely an option for you.

Get Together with Friends

Spending time with our best friends invigorates us in a way that’s impossible to match. They provide a much-needed social outlet and a break from the trials and tribulations of daily life.

Make time for your friends on Sunday. Have a weekly brunch, take walks together, and enjoy each other’s company.

You’ll come home feeling refreshed and ready to take on the week.

Commune with Nature

You don’t need to hike to get personal with nature. Consider visiting a botanical garden or state park and being one with the trees.

Spend time in the woods, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

Other Ways to Practice Self Care

Self-care isn't limited to Sundays. You can do numerous things throughout the week to take care of yourself.

Start by eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. It's incredible how caring for our bodies in these little ways improves our wellness.

Next, learn the art of saying no. Let go of the guilt and realize you don’t have to do everything. Stay home alone and treat yourself instead.

Finally, start listening to your body. It will tell you when you're exhausted, need more me-time, or are ready to seize the day. Take care of it, and it will take care of you back for years to come.

Self Care Isn't Selfish

Self-care isn't selfish. Life is stressful, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

It's not selfish to look after yourself. Caring for others is a full-time job, and you deserve time to take care of yourself while you do it.

Self-care helps reduce stress and ensures you are ready to face whatever the world throws at you.

However, self-care can be selfish if you take it too far. Watch for these signs that you're indulging in selfish self-care!

This article was produced and syndicated by Partners in Fire.