5 Minute Self Care: 90 Quick and Wildly Helpful Ideas

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Last Updated on June 25, 2023

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In need of some 5 minute self care ideas when you have no time? I’ve got you!

I used to think self care meant at least an hour of something super involved or expensive. Think: day at the spa, going to the hair salon, or taking an hour-long bubble bath. Those are great and all, but certainly not practical on a regular basis.

And you probably know the feeling: your to-do list is several miles long, your brain and schedule are equally over-booked, and you can’t possibly imagine adding even ONE more thing to your busy day!

But the thing is…not allowing yourself any me-time is a recipe for disaster. Burnout is SO very possible when you are always hustling and go-go-go. Self care is a must for handling stress, lowering your risk of illness, and increasing your energy.

Good news for you: self care doesn’t need to be complicated, nor time consuming. These 5 minute self care activities can fit into ANY day you’re having, no matter how chaotic.

Remember, taking time for yourself is non-negotiable. More importantly, you deserve time in your day for acts of self care. Without fueling your mind and spirit by relaxing and recharging, you won’t be able to perform at your best anyway!

So if you’re tight on time, don’t fret. These 5 minute self care activities are just the fix!

90 Quick & Easy 5 Minute Self Care Activities

Take deep breaths and hold them at the top
Do a 5 minute meditation on Headspace
Hug a pet
Do some skincare
Water your plants
Do a quick stretch session
Lay on the floor
Listen to your favorite song
Read 5 pages of a book
Set a timer and do a brain dump in your journal
Do some quick cardio like jumping jacks
Get up and dance
Go outside for fresh air
Say 5 positive affirmations you need to hear most
Set a timer and write down as many gratitudes as possible
Drink a warm cup of tea or coffee
Grab a light snack
Light a candle
Apply a face mask
Ask yourself some self reflection questions
Watch funny Tik Toks that make you laugh
Organize your desk or immediate surroundings
Set your intention for the day
Decide on your top 3 goals for the day or week
Write a to-do list of the things you’ve been putting off
Send a loved one a quick text
Do some intentional journaling
Make your bed
Declutter
Check in with your emotions: how are you really feeling right now?
Hype yourself up
Compliment someone else
Dedicate some quiet time alone to yourself
Unplug from technology
Stargaze
Cloudgaze
Pace/walk around the room
Massage your neck or back
Practice mindfulness and tune into your five senses
Doodle in a notebook
Eat a fruit or vegetable
Identify 3 small “wins” from today
Practice self compassion
Plan an exciting activity for later today or the weekend
Lather on some lotion

Want some guided help with fitting self care into your schedule?

My printable gratitude journal is a suuuper quick and easy way to get self care into your daily routine!

With day + night spreads, as well as weekly + monthly reflection, you’re just steps away from a happier mindset and more gratitude for all the awesome things around you!

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Simple Self Care Ideas in 5 Minutes or Less

Manifest something you’ve been wanting
Pray
Research some info about a topic of interest
Set a new, refreshing wallpaper on your phone or computer
Turn on an essential oil diffuser
Make a list of anything you need to organize in your mind
Close your eyes
Plan a self love Sunday
Listen to a short podcast
Paint your nails
Tackle the quickest thing on your to-do list
Brush your teeth
Wash your face
Use a body scrub
Put on lip balm
Refresh your makeup
Color in a coloring book
Change your clothes
Squeeze a stress ball
Chop up the fruit or veggies in your fridge to prep them for snacks later
Progressive muscle relaxation (tense your muscles, then slowly relax)
Recipe-plan for the week
Do a quick sprint outside
Move your body in any way that feels good
Get lost in a daydream
Prepare your clothes for the next day
Organize your makeup brushes, skincare, or anything else in the bathroom
Find a follow-along yoga video on YouTube
Book your next therapy appointment
Drink a cold glass of lemon water
Use an ice roller or gua sha
Roll out knots in your body with a tennis ball
Eat some dark chocolate and savor every bite
Put on some relaxing instrumentals (like lofi beats) as you work
Read a devotional or inspiring quote
Bask in some sunlight
Put on perfume or body mist
Clean out your purse
Brush your hair
Open your windows
Cry if you need to
Jot down a list of all the things you love about yourself
Unfollow accounts that make you feel negative
Watch videos of cute animals
Delete apps you never use

Need to go deeper with self care? Want it on YOUR schedule? The best self-care thing you can do for yourself is speaking to a therapist. It’s helped me tremendously with my mental health! I always recommend Online Therapy because it’s a comprehensive, effective online therapy toolkit at an affordable monthly cost. Get 20% off your first month with the link below!

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Self care doesn’t have to take long!

For all those times you’ve felt like you had NO time for self care, this list of 5 minute self care ideas shows you otherwise! Self care doesn’t need to be some giant project or chore. It really can be made simple, quick, and easily insert-able into any busy day.

Any time you catch a break in the morning, before bed, or even during your work day, you can surely grab a thing or two from this list and do something nice for yourself!

If these 5 minute self care activities got you inspired, please let me know in the comments: