5-Minute Self-Care Ideas You Can Squeeze Into Your Busy Days

Sharing is caring!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more

Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve put together close to a hundred ideas you could try. All of these ideas can be done in 5 minutes and could easily become daily habits.

You can get this wonderful list as a printable, too. Simply scroll to the end to find it. It’s good to try more than a few, tick off the ones you’ve tried, and incorporate the feel-good ones into your daily schedule.

Positive

These ideas are great for putting you into a positive mindset.

• Visualize good things in the future.
• Take a selfie of yourself smiling.
• Look at art that inspires you.
• Sew a button back on a piece of clothing.
• Read a positive news story.
• Write a positive note to your future self.
• Recall a happy memory in detail.

Simple

You can do these ideas with little to no equipment, and from many different places.

• Try a short guided meditation.
• Write down three things you’re grateful for.
• Write in a journal for a few minutes.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Look at the stars.
• Make yourself a cup of tea.
• Visualize a peaceful place.
• Step outside for fresh air.

Move

These simple ideas will get you moving your body, which is great for self-care.

• Reach up high and then touch your toes.
• Adjust your posture in your chair.
• Water your indoor plants.
• Hold 5 simple yoga poses for 1 minute each.
• Try simple movements like jumping jacks.
• Dance to your favorite song.
• Do seated shoulder rolls.
• Hold 1-minute power poses.

Cozy

Take things slow and easy with these self-care ideas. These are particularly great in the evening after a long day.

• Massage your palms with your thumbs.
• Update a playlist with a new song.
• Organize your phone photos to be printed.
• Do some online shopping.
• Watch a scene from your favorite movie.
• Write a shopping list.
• Put on comfy pajamas.
• Cuddle with a hot water bottle.

Mindful

Use these ideas to give yourself time to process and reflect, especially after busy days.

• Go for a walk.
• Take a quick stretch break.
• Turn a diffuser on at home.
• Paint your nails.
• Read a few pages of a book.
• Solve brain teasers.
• Listen to nature sounds.
• Practice a new language in an app
• Repeat a personal mantra in the mirror.

Calming

Try these 5-minute ideas to put you in a state of relaxation. These could be good during busy times or in the evening when you want to unwind.

• Close your eyes for a few minutes.
• Apply moisturizer to your face and hands.
• Have a 5-minute digital declutter.
• Sit in a cozy nook at home and reflect.
• Massage your wrists.
• Doodle for a few minutes.
• Brush your pet.
• Add a new image to your vision board.
• Sing a song out loud.

Enjoyable

Try some of these ideas if you’re feeling creative or want to get into a good mood.

• Light a scented candle.
• Sketch what you see out of the window.
• Doodle in a notebook.
• Read a motivational quote to yourself.
• Add ideas to your bucket list.
• Color a page in a coloring book.
• Soak your feet in warm water.
• Listen to an audiobook.
• Play calming music.

Declutter

Clutter at home can make challenging times even more difficult. Decluttering the house is a tall order, so break it down with some of these 5-minute ideas.

• Organize a drawer.
• Reorganize your to-do list.
• Quickly tidy your desk.
• Choose one item of clothing to donate.
• Write down everything in your head.
• Write one thing you will achieve today.
• List everything you have achieved recently.
• Organize your email inbox.

Social

Connect with friends and loved ones with these simple ideas.

• Text a friend a sweet message.
• Change your status to something positive.
• Send a song recommendation to someone.
• Send a get-together suggestion to friends.
• Call a loved one to check in.
• Play a turn-based online game.
• Share a funny meme with a friend.
• Tell someone you love them.

Easy

Finally, if you need some low-effort activities, try some of these.

• Sit quietly and reflect.
• Work on a LEGO set or model.
• Write your name in a cursive font.
• Look out the window for a few minutes.
• Spend a few minutes with your pet.
• Put on some comfy socks.

You can get this list as a printable here. Print it off and check the ones you’ve tried, making notes on which worked best for you.

This big list is proof that self-care can be incredibly simple. Hopefully, one or more of these ideas will help you build a daily self-care routine. Let us know below which worked for you.

Also, don’t forget to save this list to one of your self-care boards. You can always revisit it after a busy day when you need a little self-love.

For more self-care ideas, see this self-care bucket list, try one of these self-care rituals, and get yourself one of these self-care essentials or gifts.