At Noom we talk a lot about the importance of self-care and its many benefits—reduced stress, increased energy, and improved mood, to name a few. And while self-care has gotten the social media treatment in recent years (cue the montage of taking a bubble bath, meditating, drinking a chai latte, and burning incense), there are a number of simple, accessible ways to practice self-care.
If you’re in need of an extra dose of TLC (and we all are), take our quiz to see what kind of self-care might be right for you and get started today.
1. Right now, nothing sounds better to me than…
- A. Blasting—and dancing to—my favorite song .
- B. Working up a sweat (hot yoga, anyone?).
- C. Hanging out with someone I love over coffee and croissants.
2. What would you most like to feel right now?
- A. Calm and optimistic.
- B. Relaxed and restored.
- C. Connected and alive.
3. If you were at a party at this very moment, you’d be…
- A. Involved in a deep conversation about life with an old acquaintance.
- B. Fueling up on the delicious apps (are those mini quiches?) or on the dance floor.
- C. Trying to figure out how I’m going to find time to catch up with everyone there.
4. What’s something you haven’t had time for lately but would like to?
- A. Painting—or anything that qualifies as “fun,” for that matter.
- B. Quality sleep—I’ve been non-stop running around doing who knows what.
- C. Work–life balance—I’ve spent too much time at work.
5. What instantly relaxes you?
- A. Watching a funny movie—one where I actually laugh out loud.
- B. A deep-tissue massage, a scrub, the whole nine yards.
- C. Going on a weekend trip with my oldest friends.
6. Which quote most resonates with you?
- A. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.”
- B. “The only sign of life is motion and growth.”
- C. “The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.”
7. Which gift would you most want to receive?
- A. A personalized journal.
- B. A gift card to my favorite restaurant.
- C. Concert tickets from a loved one.
Mostly A’s: Try some emotional self-care
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Emotional self-care is about becoming aware of and identifying what you’re feeling, and then allowing yourself to lean into those feelings. Basically, it’s the things we do to connect with our emotions and process them in a healthy way. This might look like going to therapy for some and meditating for others. Here are some other ideas:
- Take a break to just kick your feet up and do nothing.
- Ask for help when you need some support.
- Practice self-compassion by giving yourself permission to be imperfect.
- Take time to play (dancing, drawing, singing, or anything else that brings you joy).
- Journal.
- Create a feel-good playlist.
- Say “no” to something that doesn’t serve you.
Mostly B’s: Try some physical self-care
Most people think of physical self-care as just moving your body or getting a good workout in. While that is one activity that you could do, this type of self-care includes anything that takes care of your body and contributes to your physical well-being. This can mean anything from fueling your body with good food to getting better quality sleep. Here are some ways you can practice physical self-care:
- Eat a satisfying meal.
- Go for a walk.
- Drink water.
- Practice a restful bedtime routine.
- Take a shower or bath.
- Get a massage.
- Stretch or do yoga.
Mostly C’s: Try some social self-care
While this will look different from one person to the next, we need regular connection with others to thrive. We know it can be hard to make time when life gets busy, but nurturing your relationships is crucial to your well-being. When you put just a little bit of time and energy into building your connections with others, the results are pretty powerful. If you’re looking for inspiration:
- Schedule a regular phone touch-base with a friend.
- Host a game night with your friends.
- Go on a date with your significant other.
- Cuddle with a furry friend.
- Write a card and mail it to a loved one.
For more ways to take care of your body, mind, and spirit, sign up for Noom Weight or Noom Mood today.
