10 fun and easy self-love activities to boost your wellbeing
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Self-love can sound hard (and cheesy), but it doesn't have to be! Explore 10 fun and easy activities to show yourself some love and boost your wellbeing along the way.
You know those feel-good buzzwords that sound amazing in theory but are really just another thing on your to-do list? Well, self-love can sometimes seem like that. It’s right up there with hydration and sleep hygiene.
Sometimes the way self-love is portrayed is all spa weekends and yoga retreats and while that sounds great, it’s not always (or often) possible. More importantly, self-love isn’t about curated moments of perfection. It’s about how you treat yourself in the middle of real life — when your toddler is melting down in Target, when your inbox is a war zone, or when you forgot to defrost dinner again. (Pizza delivery, anyone?)
At its core, self-love is just showing up for yourself when you need you most! This includes speaking to yourself with kindness, giving yourself permission to rest, or doing something that makes you happy instead of something you think you should be doing.
So, if the idea of “practicing self-love” makes you roll your eyes, stay with us. We’ve got some tried and true ways that you can have your own back.
What is self-love?
Sometimes self-love gets a bad rap. It can either be painted as self-indulgent or unattainable but in reality, it’s not. At its core, self-love is about treating yourself with the same kindness, patience, and respect that you’d offer to the people you love.
It’s recognizing that you are just as deserving of care and consideration as anyone else. And you don’t have to “earn” it by being productive or self-sacrificing.
Think about how you show up for a friend who’s having a rough day. You wouldn’t tell her she’s failing because she didn’t check every single thing off her list. You wouldn’t tell her she’s a bad mom because she lost her temper. You wouldn’t tell her she doesn’t deserve to rest, eat, or take a dang break. So why do we say these things to ourselves?
Self-love is not about being selfish, lazy, or ignoring responsibilities and it isn’t a massive, time-consuming project. It’s built in the small, everyday choices that add up over time. And above all, taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
6 benefits of self-love activities
Okay, so we’ve established that self-love is a necessary part of your wellbeing. But what does that actually mean IRL? Practicing self-love isn’t just about feeling warm and fuzzy inside — it has legit, research-backed benefits that can make a huge difference in your mental, emotional, and even physical health. Here are a few reasons it matters.
1. Better mental health (aka less stress, anxiety, and guilt)
When you treat yourself with kindness instead of constant self-criticism, your brain actually responds positively. Studies show that self-compassion helps lower stress hormones and reduces anxiety. In other words, when life inevitably throws chaos your way (daily), you’re better equipped to handle it without spiraling into self-blame or burnout. (If you’re going through a hard time, here’s a trick to relieving stress in 10 minutes or less.)
2. Increased resilience (because life is hard, and you deserve backup)
Ever notice how some people seem to bounce back from setbacks faster? That’s not just luck, it’s resilience, and self-love plays a huge role in building it. When you have a solid foundation of self-compassion, you’re more likely to recover from challenges, failures, and the general madness of life without feeling like you are the problem.
3. Stronger relationships (yes, self-love helps your family, too)
How you treat yourself sets the tone for how others treat you. If you’re constantly running yourself ragged, putting yourself last, and saying yes to everything out of guilt, people will keep expecting that from you. But when you set boundaries, prioritize your wellbeing, and model self-respect, you teach others—your kids included—that self-worth isn’t negotiable.
4. Improved physical health (because stress isn’t just in your head)
Self-love isn’t just about feelings—it literally impacts your body. Research shows that people who practice self-compassion tend to make healthier choices, have lower levels of inflammation, and even get better sleep. And no, that doesn’t mean you have to become a green-juice-drinking, 5 am-yoga person. It just means that when you treat yourself with kindness, your body responds in positive ways.
5. More confidence (so you stop questioning your worth every five minutes)
Most of us spend way too much time doubting ourselves, picking apart our flaws, and waiting for validation from others to tell us we’re doing okay. Practicing self-love helps shift that mindset. Instead of needing permission to feel good about yourself, you start knowing you deserve to take up space, have needs, and be imperfect without guilt.
6. Better parenting (because your kids are watching you, always)
If you need one more reason to prioritize self-love, here it is: your kids. They learn how to treat themselves by watching you. When they see you speaking kindly to yourself, setting healthy boundaries, and valuing your own needs, they learn that they deserve the same. Self-love isn’t just for you — it’s something you pass down.
How to practice self-love: 10 easy ways to boost your wellbeing
Self-love is important, but most people can’t spend hours and hours on it. (Sadly.)
The good news is, self-love doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to carve out massive chunks of time or overhaul your life. Just focus on making small, doable shifts in how you treat yourself every day. These should be things that fit into your reality — not some unrealistic, perfectly curated version of it.
Here are 10 simple, zero-pressure ways to start showing yourself a little more love, without adding another thing to your to-do list.
1. Speak to yourself like you would a friend
When life gets tough, it’s easy to mutter to yourself, “Ugh, I’m such a mess,” or, “Why can’t I just get it together?” Now, imagine saying that to your best friend. Would you? Probably not.
Try this: Start noticing your self-talk and swap out the criticism for kindness (here are 11 tips to help). Even if it feels weird at first, it can make a big difference in how you feel.
2. Set a tiny boundary today
Boundaries aren’t just for other people — they’re for you too. And they don’t have to be dramatic to be effective. Say no to one thing you don’t actually have the energy for. Maybe you let the group chat know you won’t be responding after 9 pm or back out of those weeknight plans that you don’t have the energy for.
Try this: Decide that this is the week you stop over-explaining yourself and recognize that it’s good to protect your energy. This is self-love in action. If setting boundaries feels hard (we get it), these eight tips can guide you through.
3. Do something just because it makes you happy
Stop telling yourself that you can only do things that you love if it’s productive, benefits someone else, or checks a box. Just do something fun because it feels good.
Try this: Watch your comfort show for the hundredth time. Paint your nails a ridiculous color. Listen to that throwback playlist at full volume. Joy doesn’t have to be earned — it’s a necessity. So have fun with it!
4. Move your body in a way that actually feels good
Even if you dread going to the gym (or just don’t have the time), you can incorporate movement into your day.
Try this: Stretch for five minutes or take a walk while listening to a podcast. Maybe have a two-song dance party in your kitchen while you make dinner. It all counts.
💙 Take a Dance Break with Mel Mah to feel good and have fun.
5. Take a breath
Self-love can be as simple as working with the breath. Not only does this give you a break from your busy life, but it also helps calm down your nervous system, which is a total win.
Try this: Inhale for four seconds. Hold for seven. Exhale for eight. Do it again. That’s it. You just told your nervous system, “Hey, we’re okay.” And the best part is, you can do it anytime, even in the middle of a chaotic moment.
6. Nourish yourself without guilt
Taking time to feed yourself whole, nourishing food (and drinking lots of water) is one of the foundations of physical and mental health. And you deserve that. Whether you think you’re too busy to cook, or just have more important things you should be doing, remember that providing for your body is a huge form of self-love.
But that doesn’t mean you should beat yourself up either. The reality is that some days are for kale smoothies and other days are for double-chocolate muffins. It’s all about balance.
Try this: Try working in a few extra veggies into your meals this week because you care about yourself, not because you have to.
💙 If you want to dive deeper on ways you can turn mealtimes into self-loving acts, explore the Mindful Eating series with Dr. Michelle May.
7. Get some sunlight (yes, even if it’s just standing on your porch for a minute)
Sunlight can lead to an instant mood boost, and you don’t need to spend hours outside to get those benefits. Even five minutes in the sun can help regulate your circadian rhythm, boost vitamin D, and make you feel just a little bit more human.
Try this: If it’s sunny, go outside, and take five deep breaths while standing in the sunlight. Notice how good it feels on your skin. Now think of one thing you’re grateful for! That’s mindfulness and self-love in action.
💙 Want to take your time outside a step further? Try Mindful Walking, or turn it into mindful hiking!
8. Write down one thing you appreciate about yourself
Don’t focus on something you did, but rather, something you are. Maybe it’s your patience, your ability to make people laugh, or the fact that you always find the missing sock. Small things count, and acknowledging them is a form of self-respect.
Try this: Make a list of all of the things you’re proud of yourself for doing. Then read it out loud to yourself. You deserve to feel good about it!
9. Let yourself rest (yes, even when there’s more to do)
Your to-do list will never be fully done. There will always be something else. But remember, you’re not a machine. You don’t have to “earn” rest. Give yourself permission to pause, even for five minutes. The world won’t fall apart if you take a break — but you might if you never do.
Try this: Take a short break and do something you want to do, not something you have to do.
10. Ask for help (and don’t feel bad about it)
Needing help does not mean you’re failing. Whether it’s asking your partner to handle bedtime, texting a friend when you’re overwhelmed, or letting your kids watch an extra episode of “Bluey” so you can breathe — leaning on support is smart, not weak.
Try this: If asking for help is difficult, start small. Decide on just one thing you’re going to ask for help with today. Maybe it’s a household chore, or scheduling an appointment. Here are seven tips to help you if you need them.
Self-love activities FAQs
How does practicing self-love help your wellbeing?
Practicing self-love isn’t just about feeling good in the moment — it has long-term benefits for your mental, emotional, and even physical health. When you treat yourself with kindness and prioritize your needs, you reduce stress, anxiety, and self-criticism, making it easier to handle life’s inevitable chaos.
It also builds resilience, helping you bounce back from challenges instead of spiraling into guilt or self-doubt. Plus, self-love impacts your physical wellbeing by encouraging healthier habits, better sleep, and lower levels of stress-related inflammation. In short?
What are some simple self-love activities?
Self-love activities don’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. The simplest ones are often the most effective. These might include:
Breathing deeply when you’re overwhelmed
Taking a nap when you’re tired
Moving your body in a way that feels good
Spending time in nature
Meeting up with a friend
Taking a warm bath
Cooking a favorite meal, or trying a new recipe
Binge-watching your favorite TV show
The key is to focus on small, daily choices that remind you that your needs matter, too.
How can I practice self-love daily?
Practicing self-love daily doesn’t mean carving out an hour for meditation or writing affirmations in a gratitude journal (unless that’s your thing). It’s really just about weaving small moments of self-kindness into your regular routine. Start by noticing how you talk to yourself — would you say those things to a friend? If not, make an adjustment.
Take a break when you need one, eat food that makes you feel good (without guilt), and find one tiny way to prioritize yourself each day. It’s not about doing more, it’s about shifting the way you show up for yourself in the life you already have.
Why is loving myself important?
Loving yourself is important because you matter, not just as a parent, a partner, or a professional — but as a person. Loving yourself isn’t about being arrogant or thinking you’re perfect, but rather, recognizing that your worth isn’t tied to how much you accomplish, how well you take care of others, or how productive you are.
When you love and respect yourself, you set a healthier standard for how others treat you, build stronger relationships, and create a more sustainable, fulfilling life. And if you’re a parent and need one more reason, remember that your kids are watching. How you treat yourself teaches them how to treat themselves.
What is a self-love deficiency?
A self-love deficiency happens when you constantly put yourself last, struggle with self-worth, or find it hard to believe that you deserve kindness, rest, or care. It often looks like chronic self-criticism, people-pleasing, or feeling guilty whenever you do something for yourself.
Over time, this can lead to burnout, resentment, and even anxiety or depression. Self-love is something you can rebuild — one small, intentional act at a time. It starts with recognizing that you are just as worthy of care and compassion as everyone else in your life. Because you are.
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