Self-care is not just bubble baths, manicures, and days that turn into weeks of “treat yourself”.

While those things may feel good, and treating yourself is fun and even healthy in times of celebration, viewing these indulgences as the main sources of our self-care may not actually be what true care looks like.

One definition of care reads, “the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.”

Care helps us be well. It protects us.

The analogy of oxygen masks on a plane is often used when discussing caring for ourselves—that we need to put on our own masks first in order to be effective in helping others. We need to be well, and protected. If we are not well, we won’t have the energy, or the health to show up the way we want to.

I believe self-care involves stepping into holistic wellness, noting habits and choices that build us up, give us energy, and help us participate in our lives well.

All of that sounds great—habits of true self-care can make waves of positive impact in our lives. Self-care can also feel stretching, such as doing a task you’ve been putting off, or having the hard conversation.

For the next month, I invite you to practice daily self-care, choosing one form of care each day, small or large. I’ve compiled a list of some of the ways we can move toward caring for ourselves, but I also encourage you to be creative and come up with your own!

1. Take a social media sabbatical (even if just for the day!)
2. Take a walk outside.
3. Stay hydrated.
4. Call someone you love.
5. Move your body.
6. Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails.
7. Journal, or create art or music.
8. Turn off screens an hour before you go to bed.
9. Get enough sleep.
10. Take your lunch break away from your desk.
11. Have a conversation you’ve been avoiding.
12. Sit down and look at your budget—or, create a budget if you don’t have one!
13. Practice being present.
14. De-clutter your space.
15. Intentionally appreciate your body and its capabilities.
16. Make time for breakfast.
17. Encourage a friend.
18. Pack your lunch.
19. Slow down. Take a deep breath.
20. Practice self-compassion.
21. Stretch your muscles.
22. Listen to what your body tells you regarding hunger and fullness, and honor what it tells you!
23. Set a boundary.
24. Make one payment ton debt, or contribute to savings (no matter how small)
25. Intentionally look for the good.
26. Say no to something you want to say no to.
27. Dance in your kitchen.
28. Tell someone you love them.
29. Write a list of 10 things you’re grateful for.
30. Think of the funniest thing you can remember. Laugh about it.
31. Sit in the sunshine. Feel it on your skin.