My intention with this page is to share free handouts in hopes of helping others gather knowledge and gain insight to live happier, more fulfilling lives.
The subjects vary from decluttering to self-care to interpersonal things, and I will be adding more as time, energy, and inspiration allow. Currently, the handouts are available for download in both Microsoft Word and pdf formats. You can click on the dark gray bar to collapse or expand each section.
I posted the Self-Care Activity Lists (below the menus) so that you can link to them directly from this page as well as downloading the documents if you prefer. I also included the Self-Care Questions and Self-Care Minis for viewing without download.
Self-Care Activity Lists
Below are a few lists of self-care activities to give you choices about your personalized self-care plan. I included stress management as a supplement. I don’t endorse every single item, and some require resources that may not be readily available (e.g., “take a vacation” or “get a massage” or “take a class”). Please disregard any that don’t apply or that otherwise don’t feel right. I hope these lists help you find self-care ideas that fit your personality and lifestyle!
A few suggestions regarding using these lists:
- Look at each idea and select the ones that are a definite “yes” or “I want to try.” Include any that are a “maybe.”
- If going through a huge list all at once (365!!) is overwhelming, you might break it into chunks. For example, "Today I’ll look at items one through twenty."
- I suggest recording your choices so you have a quick reference when trying to figure out what to do during (or when planning) self-care times.
- Also add any ideas of your own that weren’t on the lists.
Time Limited Self-Care Activities (pdf)
https://www.purdue.edu/butler/documents/Self-Care-Activities_Workshop-handout.pdf
Fun Activities Catalogue - 365 ideas (pdf)
Ideas for Self-Nurturing - 101 ideas (pdf)
100 Ways to Relieve Stress and Self-Care (pdf)
https://namimissouri.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2022/01/100WaystoRelieveStress.pdf
101 Ways to Cope with Stress (web page) Scroll past the introduction for ideas.
The Big List of Self-Care Activities - This link downloads as a Microsoft Word Document versus going to a website.
https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/student-life/wellness/documents/self-care-activities.pdf.docx
*Please note that lexi.com and its owner share these lists to help people identify ideas for self-care. The lists are not intended to be construed as or to represent medical care or therapeutic treatment of any kind. Always check with your personal medical and mental health care providers for guidance before beginning any new activities.
**These lists were obtained online and links were current as of 11/28/2025.
Self-Care Questions
Oxford Languages defines self-care as: “The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.” The questions below are designed to help you clarify the way you think, speak, and behave in regards to self-care (this handout with examples and responses is available in the menus above). Increasing awareness helps us better know how and where to make changes. I hope these questions guide you toward healthier and happier living!
- What is your personal definition of self-care?
- Do you have a certain “name” or phrase for your self-care?
- What are some examples of your current self-care activities?
- Do you have goals or intentions about “when” and “how often” your self-care occurs?
- What things “do” and “don’t” count as self-care for you?
- What examples of self-care did you previously do but stopped?
- If you stopped a previous self-care activity, “when” and “why?”
- Do you have a way to “measure” when self-care is needed? If so, what is it?
- What are some emotional signs that you need more or different self-care? (How I Feel)
- What are some behavioral signs that you need more or different self-care? (How I Act)
- Behavioral signs include speech. What are some verbal signs that I need more or different self-care? (What I Say)
- What thoughts get in the way of your self-care? (What I Think)
- What people, circumstances, events, etc. get in the way of your self-care?
- Are there people around you who comment negatively about self-care?
- Do you have any positive beliefs about self-care? If so, what are they?
- Do you have any negative beliefs about self-care? If so, what are they?
- Are there times when you could have done self-care but chose something else? If so, what were those other things? Why did you make that choice?
- When you do self-care, in what ways does it help? What are the benefits?
- Have you had times when self-care wasn’t helpful or “didn’t work?” In what ways?
- Do you know anyone who has “really good” self-care? What are they doing (or not doing)?
Self-Care Minis
One thing I hear from talking to people over the years is that self-care seems difficult, if not impossible, due to ongoing lack of time and energy. The following ideas describe quick, easy “mini” self-care activities that you may be able to fit into your daily schedule despite a tired brain or body! They are meant to supplement any other “bigger” self-care that you are able to do. You may use some of these “minis” already but didn’t think of them as self-care, and many are consistent with mindfulness and meditation strategies. Feel free to take what helps and to leave the rest.
Choose an idea and do it for at least 30-60 seconds as a way to prioritize yourself throughout each day. If the activity feels good and you have the option to do it a little longer, please do! You can also “pair” the activities with another part of your routine as a cue or reminder to do a self-care in that moment.
- Rest your eyes by closing them
- Take some conscious breaths or focus on your breathing
- Check for and tend to basic body cues (e.g., Am I hungry or thirsty? Do I need to rest? Am I too cold or warm?)
- Eat or drink a tiny bit slower and/or savor the taste
- Linger when washing your hands to feel the warm/cool water
- Put on lotion and massage your hands or fingers
- Do some simple stretching
- Sit down if you’ve been standing (or vice versa)
- Do a quick cleaning task such as wiping a counter or putting a few items in their place
- Look at yourself in a mirror and smile
- Ask for a hug or hug yourself
- Say or think a positive affirmation
- Look at an inspirational quote
- Watch a short funny or heartwarming video
- Look at a photo of something or someone you love or makes you laugh
- Play a short game, color, do a puzzle, etc. on your phone or on paper
- Write in a journal or “doodle”
- Focus on something beautiful or scenic in your surroundings
- Choose something in your range of hearing to focus on, such as: A ticking clock, fan, rain, train whistle, buzzing appliance, wind chime, plane overhead, murmur of conversation nearby, etc.
- Stare out a window or at something across the room
- Daydream about something positive or “zone out”
- Spend time with a pet
*Please first check with your physician before implementing any ideas that involve physical activity or any other use of your body.