Setting aside some time to take care of our physical, mental and emotional health should be an integral part of our lives. Self-care helps us cope with stress and anxiety, it gives us a chance to work through challenging situations and provides a boost to our overall self-esteem. But what if you just don’t have the energy to do it right now? What self-care activities can you do when you feel this way?
One thing that is really important to understand about self-care is that it is not about being happy. That may seem like an odd thing to say, but self-care is about being aware of when you need to take a moment and do something that lets you self-soothe, heal or get a mental reset. A positive side effect might be that you create some happiness, but that should not be its aim. Self-care is a tool that we need to learn how to use effectively, especially when we’re experiencing a lack of mental or emotional vitality
It is also important to note that self-care is not a cure for any type of depression. If you’re feeling overwhelmed to the point where it’s interfering with your everyday life, or your ability to function in a healthy way, you should seek further, more in-depth/professional support (some useful links are included at the end of this article).
I’m currently experiencing some situational depression and anxiety that has left me feeling exhausted and struggling to take care of myself as well as I normally do. I’ve had to adapt my self-care tools to include ones that take little effort or time to complete. By starting small, I’ve found that it’s had a knock-on effect that accumulates to help boost my resiliency and overall energy to a level where I can start to step out of the low ebb I’m weathering.
By creating repetitious, small moments to self-care that don’t sap already diminished energy levels, we can all start to feel the accomplishment of doing something positive for ourselves that helps us achieve, and accumulate, a sense of wellbeing we may have lost for a while.
Here are 6 Small Self-Care Steps …
1. Give yourself permission to let certain things go if you’re currently struggling to do them (cleaning, laundry, wearing make-up, sleeping well, etc). Our everyday routines might get disrupted, and that’s okay. Don’t focus on what you’re not doing and become overly critical but instead view it as a temporary change.
2. Do one thing consistently at the beginning of your day. It could be as simple as starting off with a cup of tea and no social media browsing (something I’ve implemented) or making your bed as soon as you get up. Morning routines improve our overall mental health and can set intentions for the day.
3. Use an aromatherapy oil diffuser/mister for 5-10 minutes a day, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. It’s like a mini-meditation that will help you relax and start to clear your thoughts. For some ideas about different essential oil blends you can use, click here.
4. Do a few minutes of colouring-in or origami — they’re both creative but don’t require too much thought. You can relax and put your focus on something without it becoming too involved that helps stimulate your brain without overwhelming it.
5. Declutter one thing — pick a cupboard or drawer or bag, desk, computer or phone files, etc to tidy and sort out. It’s a simple way to start reducing stress and get on track with returning to a routine.
6. Get some sunshine — if you don’t have the energy or time to go for a walk during the day, open your curtains, sit next to the window for a few minutes (or on your porch/in your garden) and just take some time to focus on your breathing and feel the light on your face. Sunlight helps boost your serotonin which is a mood-boosting, calming hormone that can help you deal with some stresses in your life.
Further Info & Support:
NAMI Helpline – a free, nationwide U.S. resource that offers experienced peer-support guidance and advice
CheckPoint – global (by country) resources for mental health support
Why Self-Care Is Hard For Depressed Individuals – Psychology Today
Why You Struggle With Self-Care – NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness)
10 Ways To Reduce Stress By Decluttering Your Life – Huff Post
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transatlantic | notes 
Very applicable at 15.5 weeks pregnant LOL. Thanks for sharing!
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You’re so welcome (and congratulations)!
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great tips, specially during this time most people are dealing with anxiety for the pandemic situation!
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It has been such a hard time for many, hopefully anyone going through a tough time can find some help with these tips. Thanks for reading!
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Great read. So much information and helpful tips. Thanks for sharing this.
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You’re welcome — thanks for reading!
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Such a good post. This is the type of post I like reading that doesn’t make you feel bad if you are sometimes just too tired. Great tips
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I am so glad you feel that way about the post, I think being made to feel bad about being tired is so counterproductive. We all have moments where we are just depleted, and that’s okay! Thanks for reading!
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This is so important. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting the motivation
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So true — and that’s been my issue lately — just getting started can be the block.
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Great ideas especially as I have energy issues right now.
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Glad it’s been of some help!
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Lovely tips, especially about giving permission to let go, that’s one I need to remember! Lisa
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I need to remember that one too so wanted it as number one, haha! As soon as I do it, I create space to actually do things that help me self-care and get to a point where I can get back to doing the things I’ve had to leave for a while. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I always love getting out in the sunshine (if it’s out of course). I need to find my ‘origami/colouring’, it might just be writing that helps with my creative outlets, which then de-stresses me. Great tips there 🙂
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I love creative things that soothe or let me just zone out for a bit (writing poetry is another one for me too) — knitting also helps me but I’m terrible at it, haha! Thanks for reading!
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I love these tips! I never think to diffuse oils when I’m feeling stressed.
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I find them so wonderful, and at one point when my sleep was bad, I used a lavender oil diffuser at night to soothe me — it helped so much. Thanks for reading!
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Love the number one about giving yourself permission to let some things go. Sometimes we just have to say not right now so can take a step back and recharge our batteries.
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Exactly! I’ve piled on the pressure with thinking I have to do everything but as soon as I gave myself permission not to do them, I gave myself the space to start caring for myself so that I can get back to doing those things. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I always feel so much better when I take an item or two off my list of things to do and just accept that it isn’t going to happen. I love scented candles for just sitting and breathing for a while. Or ASMR!!! Xx
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I love the idea of ASMR — what a great tip! I have a few scented candles I’ve not used yet so that is really useful (I’m going to try it tonight). Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for this! I am the type who usually feels lazy to do anything when I am ovewhelmed at work or life. Will bookmark these tips x
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I am the exact same way — I just reach a point when I am overwhlemed where my energy is so low I struggle to self-care so I’m working on finding better ways to do it in those moments. Thanks for reading!
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Thanks for so many amazing tips. I really need this.
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You’re welcome — I’m glad they were of some use!
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Great tips! I find the getting a little sunshine one to be especially useful for me when I’m feeling in a funk. Lots of clutter tends to cause a bit of anxiety for me as well, so that’s very helpful. I like the theme of starting slow and being kind to yourself. Thank you!
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I definitely feel anxiety when my home gets a bit cluttered — which itself, for me, is a sign I am struggling a bit — so being able to sort a cupboard or a drawer really helps. Thanks for reading!
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Great tips and thanks for the extra links at the bottom! I often suffer and let go tasks such as laundry 😖
Becky | Uptown Oracle | The Blogger Group
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I’m so glad you like them — and, same with the laundry!
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Brilliant post and so apt right now. There’s so many things I want to do, sometimes just breathing takes my energy and that’s ok! If all I can do is breathe then I’m winning!
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I revisit this post myself as I’m really lagging in energy lately — I’m so happy you’ve found it useful!
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Great tips, thanks for sharing them! I have a little book with mandala and I use to colour them every time I feel overwhelmed by the events. It really helps me 🙂
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I enjoy colouring those too, they really help take my mind off things for a while. Thanks for stopping by!
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Great post! I have been trying to spend more time on self-care lately. These tips are perfect for me. None of them are too complicated or time consuming, so they are easy to fit into my day. Thanks for sharing!!
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I’m so glad you have found them useful — I go through stages where I need to do some self-care but just don’t have the energy. These fit perfectly into those moments as they are so easy to do! Thanks for commenting!
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These are all just really good tips for self-care. So important even in the best of times, and even more so now that so many people are struggling. If we don’t take care of ourselves now, big problems can result later. Great post!
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I’m glad you found these useful because you’re so right that these times are a real test. Thank you so much for reading!
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