111 Self-Care Ideas for Female Small Business Owners
Off the back of last week’s blog post “It’s Ok to Be Tired”, I thought a few inspo tips to help you beat the fatigue would be a good idea.
I chose to include 111 self-care ideas for female small business owners (mostly because I’m a gal myself and am not sure what men like, but hey, men can do these things too if they like?!) because 111 is an angel number. This angel number can signal that a new journey of self is on the horizon, and it is associated with confidence, motivation, and independence. And I like to think that taking care of oneself will result in all of the above!
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So here we go…
1. Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Even a short 5-minute break away from your computer can be enough!
2. Practice deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and increase focus. I love the app Calm for this because it provides various breathing exercises, including mindful breathing, deep breathing, and equal breathing.
3. Start your day with a healthy and nutritious breakfast. I love a good smoothie in the mornings when I am in a rush!
4. Make time for regular exercise, such as yoga, Pilates, or a brisk walk 🧘🏻♀️
5. Set aside time each day for meditation or mindfulness practices. I love the Smiling Mind app - it is a free tool developed by psychologists and educators, to help you practice your daily meditation and mindfulness exercises
6. Take a day off each week to relax and rejuvenate. I know this isn’t possible for everyone, and it may not be something you can do each week. But a full day off to do things just for you (or to do nothing at all) can help you be more productive on your working days!
7. Create a peaceful and inspiring workspace. A beautiful essential oil diffuser* or an indoor plant might be just the thing you need to bring a bit of calm to your environment.
8. Delegate tasks and ask for help when needed.
9. Prioritise sleep and aim for at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night 💤💤💤
10. Keep a gratitude journal and write down three things you're grateful for each day.
11. Do any task that you’ve been putting off that can be done in 2 minutes. This rule is a game-changer and can will get rid of those pesky tasks that have just been weighing on you.
12. Practice saying "no" to tasks or commitments that don't align with your priorities. If saying “no” is something you’re not very good at, kill two relaxation birds at a time and pick up “The Art of Saying No”* by Damon Zahariades.
13. Unplug from technology and take a digital detox regularly. Turn off your wifi - I dare you!
14. Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends and fellow entrepreneurs. One Roof is a fantastic community-driven platform that is full of other people who just “get” the world of small business.
15. Treat yourself to a spa day or pamper yourself at home - maybe light some candles and take a bath. Add a fancy bath soak* to make it more rejuvenating.
16. Read a book or listen to a podcast that inspires you.
17. Do a brain dump of everything on your mind. This is so good for when your brain is running a mile a minute - it will help you organise your thoughts and leave you feeling relieved.
18. Practice positive affirmations to boost your self-confidence.
19. Set realistic goals and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Don’t forget to celebrate the little wins too!
20. Spend time in nature and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunshine. A short walk outside, or sipping on a hot tea or coffee in your garden will do wonders for your soul.
21. Practice good hygiene and self-care rituals like skincare routines or baths.
22. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. This motivational water bottle* can help you keep track of how much you’re drinking throughout the day.
23. Listen to uplifting music or create a playlist of your favorite songs 🎶
24. Connect with other small business owners through networking events or online communities.
25. Volunteer or engage in acts of kindness to give back to your community.
26. Take a break from social media and limit your screen time. If you can’t keep off Threads at the moment, you can use an app to limit your screen time on certain apps.
27. Schedule regular check-ups and prioritise your health. Have you had your annual skin check? Been to the dentist regularly? It’s not as glamorous as a day at the spa, but looking after your body and your health is the ultimate in self-care.
28. Practice time management techniques to avoid burnout. I personally love the Pomodoro Technique!
29. Engage in creative activities like painting, writing, or crafting. 🎨
30. Keep a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries and sticking to them.
31. Enjoy a cup of herbal tea or your favorite beverage to relax. This Sticky Honey Rooibos tea* from T2 is such a feel-good cuppa!
32. Take a mini-vacation or plan a weekend getaway to recharge.
33. Practice positive self-talk and cultivate self-compassion.
34. Take breaks to enjoy a healthy and nourishing meal. Actually eat lunch away from your desk for a change!
35. Practice journaling to reflect on your thoughts and emotions. I was once gifted this “Check Yo’Self Diary” from K-Rae Designs, and I LOVE it! It’s a boost of creativity x self-reflection tool at its finest!
36. Engage in activities that promote personal growth and learning.
37. Watch funny cat videos (or whatever tickles your fancy) on YouTube or TikTok.
38. Keep a to-do list to stay organised and prioritise tasks. I LOVE my Steph Pase Home & Work To-Do List because it helps me stay on top of things both at work and in my personal life, without having to have two separate lists.
39. Spend quality time with your loved ones.
40. Create a peaceful bedtime routine to promote better sleep. This Lavender Home Spray Mist* can help calm your mind and promote restful sleep!
41. Attend workshops or conferences related to your industry. Learning and development - professional or personal - is a huge self-care priority for me! It makes my brain sparkle ✨
42. Light a candle, burn some incense, or turn on an essential oil diffuser. Surround yourself with scents that evoke a memory or set an uplifting mood.
43. Have a self-care accountability buddy to support each other's well-being.
44. Try a new hobby or activity that challenges you and promotes personal growth, or start doing an old hobby again!
45. Create a vision board to visualise your goals and aspirations. Hello Pinterest!
46. Engage in regular exercise or physical activity to boost your energy levels and improve your mood.
47. Create a morning routine that sets a positive tone for the day, including activities like journaling, reading, or stretching. Personally, I hate this tip. It just doesn’t work for me. I mean, I have small kids, so my mornings are not my own! But, it definitely works for some people, so I’ve included it!
48. Set realistic goals and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Ticking off those tasks as you work your way toward your goal can be such a good dopamine kick!
49. Allow yourself to take breaks and rest when needed, without feeling guilty.
50. Explore different forms of relaxation, such as taking a bath, listening to calming music, reading a book, meditating, or colouring in.
51. Engage in hobbies or activities that have nothing to do with work, allowing yourself to disconnect and recharge.
52. Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as mindful eating or mindful walking.
53. Get into your garden. This past year I started a veggie patch and a flower garden at home as a little hobby with my kids. I am no green thumb, but it’s so satisfying being able to pick veggies out of our own garden! 🍅🥕
54. Seek support from a therapist or coach to work through any challenges or stressors. There is no shame in looking after your mind and seeking professional help!
55. Treat yourself to regular self-care treats, such as buying yourself flowers or enjoying a favorite treat.
56. Get your dance party on 💃💃💃 A favourite of mine is pumping the pop jams and having a silly dance party with my kids! It’s so freeing, and the kids love it!
57. Pay-it-forward. Doing something nice for someone else has the added benefit of making you feel good too.
58. Do a puzzle. I’m not sure what it is about puzzles, but I find them so relaxing. Find yourself a big one and chip away at it a little bit each day! It might even be a fun family activity that you can all do together. This puzzle - The Crystal Caves* - by The Magic Puzzle Company also includes a magic trick when you finish it!
59. Set aside time for self-reflection and introspection, allowing yourself to process your thoughts and emotions. Just sitting with your emotions can be really powerful.
60. Create a self-care toolkit with items that bring you comfort and relaxation, such as essential oils, a cozy blanket, or a favorite book.
61. Spend a day with your pet, volunteer at a local animal shelter, or go on a bush walk to spot a 🐨. Time spent with animals is never a waste of time!
62. Binge watch your favourite TV show. Sometimes giving ourselves permission to have a day off and just sit on the couch with a Netflix binge is exactly what we need!
63. Head to your local library or a cosy little bookstore and browse the shelves for a new find 📖
64. Marie Kondo the shiz out of your stuff - declutter, throw away, donate. Just get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy!
65. Go camping for a weekend! No wifi. Simple cooking. Surrounded by nature. Self-care bliss! ⛺
66. Take your shoes off and head outside. Feel the grass beneath your feet and imagine roots anchoring you to the earth. This is a wonderful grounding practice that can be done at any time of the day.
67. Get a fresh do. A hairdo that is! Fresh locks always make a gal feel good!
68. Take a nap! Better yet, have a coffee and then take a nap. Research has shown that a Coffee Nap can improve alertness and mental acuity. Hey, if they need a guinea pig for more Coffee Nap research, I’m in!
69. Rearrange your furniture. I love a good room refresh, it makes everything feel new again!
70. Buy yourself a new outfit. Maybe something you wouldn’t normally buy - get out of that comfort zone!
71. Unfriend and unfollow - check out your Facebook friends and your Instagram following list and get rid of anyone that doesn’t bring you joy, that you find yourself comparing yourself against or that is no longer relevant to where you’re at in life!
72. Write post-it note messages to yourself and leave them all over the house for “surprise” positivity!
73. Hit the road for a spontaneous adventure! No planning allowed!
74. Have a solo night at a hotel. Fluffy bathrobes, room service, wine, and Netflix sound like my idea of heaven!
75. Sit in the sun for 15 minutes and get a shot of Vitamin D.
76. Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
77. Rewatch a favourite old movie. My personal faves include Dirty Dancing and Grease.
78. Get your personal and business finances in order. I’ve recently implemented Profit First* in my business and it’s been a game changer. The other finance book I love - and am implementing for my personal finances - is The Barefoot Investor*
79. Watch the funniest TV show you can find. Some personal favourites are Schitts Creek, Brooklyn 99, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and The Big Bang Theory.
80. Try a new restaurant in your area.
81. Give yourself a foot rub and a pedicure.
82. Get the fire pit going and enjoy a glass of red wine in front of the fire 🍷🔥
83. Clean out your laptop - delete unused files, clean up your desktop folders, upgrade any software or drives
84. Tackle your inbox! If you have 1,975 unread emails and the thought of those makes your eyes twitch, dedicate some time to going through them and deleting what you don’t need, and actioning what you do!
85. Hit the ocean! The beach is my happy place - I love sitting on a quiet beach and just watching the waves.
86. Watch the sunrise or sunset 🌅
87. Sing your heart out!
88. Go somewhere new! Just pick a random spot on the map and go there for a day trip!
89. Shake it off! If you need to, pump Tay Tay’s song and get dancing to litteraly shake it off.
90. Spend time on or in the water - stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, canoeing, or jet-skiing. Whatever floats your boat 😉
91. Just let yourself cry! When it’s all feeling too much, it can be so good to just let it all out.
92. Sign up for a new class - maybe it’s pole dancing or a hot yoga class. Just try something new.
93. Go to the movies solo. This is personally one of my favourite things to do to recharge my batteries. Popcorn and Whispers are an added bonus.
94. Make a list of the simple pleasures that bring you joy in life, and then come back to it each time you need a bit of inspiration.
95. Wash your sheets and sleep in a clean, fresh bed that night.
96. Have a mental health day from work.
97. Spend time on a Sunday planning your week ahead.
98. Sit on your balcony or deck and just watch the rain. Cup of coffee is advised.
99. Treat yourself to new stationery supplies.
100. Spend the day in your pyjamas. These can definitely be fresh clean ones, not the ones you just slept in!
101. Hug someone you love. Just get right in there for a giant bear hug.
102. Lie outside and watch the clouds ☁️☁️☁️ See what shapes you can see, and let your imagination run with it.
103. Have a sleep-in! When life is go-go-go, it’s so good to give yourself that extra hour in the mornings to start your day slowly.
104. Have a games night with friends.
105. Find a new recipe and make something for dinner from scratch.
106. Make every Sunday “Self-Care Sunday” - make your favourite breakfast, go for a walk, prep your meals for the week ahead, sort out your calendar and to-do list, take a nap, watch a movie, and apply a face mask. Whatever works for you!
107. Consciously unclench and relax your body. Start from the top of your head and work your way down all the way to your toes. You may be surprised at how tense your body actually was.
108. Put on your favourite comfy pants. I may be a little guilty of doing this specific self-care practice every dang day 🤣
109. Make your bed, open your curtains and windows, and let in some fresh air and sunlight. It’s so good for the mind and such a positive way to start your day.
110. Take a trip down memory lane - have a look through old photos, read your cringey high school diary, or listen to those old-school jams you used to love. The familiarity of nostalgia is so comforting!
111. Finally, remember that self-care is not selfish but essential for your overall well-being and success as a small business owner. Prioritise yourself and make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine.
Self-care is different for everyone, but hope that you can come back to this list time and time again to get some ideas or inspiration when you’re in need of a little self-TLC. You don’t need to dedicate a whole day (or weekend) in order to refresh and recharge - but you totally can if you want to! Sometimes, all you need is 5 minutes and you’ll feel like a new person. My best advice though - make self-care a non-negotiable each and every day, and you’ll find you won’t reach the point where you need a full day or weekend.
[Note I said “need a full day or weekend” - this is still totally recommended every now and then, even if you don’t need it.]
