30 Day Self-Care Bingo Card Challenge (Downloadable PDF!)
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Did you know that September is Self-Care Awareness month? While this certainly isn’t our first foray into the wellness building routine of self-care, we are looking ahead to the fall and we're ready to take on a fun new challenge. With so many of us now working from home, self-care--and, let's face it, a healthy work/life balance--has fallen by the wayside.
However, while working from home does come with some added comforts and benefits (hello pajamas!), it also means that we’re less likely to step away from our desk during the day and give our bodies a technology reset. As the days grow longer, you may begin to feel claustrophobic spending extra time in your home, especially if you are someone who suffers from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But, even if you are someone who can’t wait for the temps to drop, self-care is more important than ever.
In fact, self-care isn’t just about luxurious baths and expensive massages and spa treatments. Self-care is about putting your daily needs first and taking time to make yourself happy. These little daily actions can have a wide boost on your mental health and your overall well-being. Chronic stress can raise cortisol levels and weaken your immune system, something we can all agree we do not need right now!
If you are someone who thinks that you’re too busy for self-care or it’s financially out of reach, use this printable 30 Day Self Care Wellness Challenge Bingo Card as an easy way to mark off small items dedicated to yourself. These self-care ideas are perfect for those who suffer from stress and anxiety, teachers just headed back to school, or anyone who is looking to shake up their daily routine. Many of the items on our self-care bingo card challenge aren’t items you have to buy, which makes them easy to incorporate into your day and perfect for anyone who is on a budget.
So print it out, tape it to your fridge, and use this self-care worksheet as an easy reminder to put yourself first. And yes—you might see a few items on there twice because we think that they are that important!
(But, just as a reminder: This challenge is meant to be fun. Its job is to remind you to take time for yourself, not to put more stress on you. You don’t have to complete it; you can’t win or lose. Even adding just one intentional action into your day that you might not have otherwise thought of is all that you need!)
Our Favorite Daily Self-Care Tasks To Add To your Routine
Get a Full 8 Hours of Sleep
Aside from the effect that a poor night’s sleep has on our hormones, getting under the recommended eight just leaves us feeling pretty terrible. Give yourself the time that you need by going to bed earlier or picking one day a week where you don’t have to set an alarm. Have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep? Why not challenge yourself to use this month in order to reset your sleep patterns by focusing on a solid sleep hygiene routine?
Start a New Book
Nothing sucks you in like a good book. Whether you like reading fiction or digging deeper into your personal psyche, starting a new book is a great way to take a break and relax. Reading at night is also a proven way to help you fall asleep quicker. Bonus: it also keeps you away from your phone and eye-damaging blue light.
Is it Friday night and you no longer want to go out? Would you rather stay in for a night of Netflix and face masks? Cancel those plans. Nothing leads to feeling overwhelmed quite like a schedule full of unwanted plans. Give yourself permission to say “no” and stay in. Your mental health will thank you.
Clean Out Your Closet
If you’re anything like us, looking into your closet might be like seeing a black hole firsthand. It also might be a lingering point of dread in your mind, knowing that things are misplaced, disorganized, and cluttered. While it might not sound like fun, evidence has shown that clutter actually has an effect on our mental health — and not in a good way. Spend an afternoon sorting through clothes that you might not have worn in months. Not only will you feel better once the chaos is organized, you can donate your used clothes to women’s shelters or local charities.
Unfollow Negative Social Media Accounts
Comparison is the thief of joy. With so much emphasis on Instagram and “the perfect shot,” social media itself can become a destroyer of mental health. If you find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others or continually try to “keep up,” press that unfollow button. The only accounts you should be following are those that you feel make your life better — not put pressure on yourself. Advocate for yourself and create those personal boundaries between you and toxic social media!
