15 Spring Self-Care Ideas and How to Schedule Self-Care

As we go into a new season, one that represents growth, it’s the perfect time to better understand and prioritize self-care. In this article, we’ll discuss spring self-care ideas, including getting fresh air, taking a warm shower or bath, and scanning your body.

We'll also share how you can schedule self-care and incorporate it into your daily life. Taking care of yourself shouldn't feel difficult. Instead, it should be enjoyable and easy to practice.

Let’s explore how you can care for yourself and feel more calm and fulfilled.

A Self-Care Introduction

“Self-care helps us feel fulfilled in life,” according to Jeremy Henderson-Teelucksingh, a counselor and coach. He also says it’s important to understand that self-care doesn’t necessarily mean chasing happiness or other emotions. Instead, it helps us feel calm as emotions come and go.

“Self-care is one of the simplest ways we can impact our mental wellness,” according to Ryanne Mellick, a mental health therapist. “It doesn’t require a significant number of resources that could otherwise be barriers for some people.” 

Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. You can incorporate simple practices into your daily routine to check in with yourself, manage stress, and improve your overall well-being.

Mellick says positive impacts of self-care may include:

• Less irritability
• Increased feelings of self-worth and confidence
• More energy
• Decreased symptoms related to anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns

Spring Self-Cares Ideas

“Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all,” says Mellick. “It takes trial and error to find what works best for you, see the positive effects, and determine which forms of self-care you truly enjoy.”

Although spring is the perfect time to start fresh with new practices, the self-care tips below are ideal for any time of year. 

1. Get Fresh Air

Research shows that connecting with nature is incredibly beneficial to our mental, emotional, and physical health. As winter comes to an end, the weather starts warming up, and flowers are blooming, it’s the perfect time to get fresh air and enjoy nature.

"One of the best forms of self-care is simply going outside," according to Audrey Schoen, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). “You can take a half-day and go for a hike or nature walk or simply step outside to feel the sun's warmth on your face.”

Schoen also suggests visiting a local flower farm, taking your book to a park, or getting a house plant to connect with nature. Of course, there are endless ways to appreciate fresh air, so find activities you enjoy.

2. Write in a Journal

Have you ever tried writing down your thoughts and feelings? Arielle Jordan, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), says it’s like having a conversation with yourself on paper to help you better understand your emotions and find a moment of calm on a busy day.

Journaling doesn’t have to be fancy or structured. You can write whatever feels best for you, whether that’s jotting down any current thoughts, following a specific prompt, or writing about your day.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about living in the moment, says Jordan. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our heads or the stressors of daily life that we miss out on the world around us. 

Researchers suggest mindfulness promotes metacognitive awareness, decreases racing thoughts, and helps you better regulate emotions. You can use simple practices, like the ones below, to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine:

• Focus on your breathing (e.g., taking deep breaths while counting)
• Enjoying your morning coffee or tea without distractions
• Notice the sun on your skin when you’re outside or next to a window

4. Take a Warm Bath or Shower

Taking a warm bath or shower is an excellent spring self-care activity because it usually requires little effort. Warm water immersion can also improve your mental and physical well-being.

Most people feel relaxed, energized, and refreshed after taking a bath. Those who take warm baths daily also experience less stress, better sleep, and more happiness.

5. Foster Social Connections

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social connections can influence your mind, body, and behaviors. Connecting with others can also lead to a longer, healthier life.

Since people are social creatures by nature, fostering relationships with your family, friends, coworkers, and community is necessary for good health.

Try to make a social connection daily, even with something as simple as speaking to your neighbor or chatting with your family during dinner.

6. Scan Your Body

Jennifer Simmons, the owner of Open Minds Counseling and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), suggests caring for yourself by paying attention to your body. Although this may sound simple, many people can go hours or even days without noticing what their body is telling them, especially during busy phases of life. 

 “Doing a body scan to check where you’re feeling tense and being intentional about how you take care of your body will make it easier to spot early warning signs that something is imbalanced and needs attention,” says Simmons.

7. Get Adequate Rest

Although sleep is a basic human need, one in three adults report not getting enough rest.

Simmons says, "Give yourself radical permission to prioritize rest." You may need to make fewer commitments so you can maximize sleep and rest. For example, consider saying no to working overtime, going to parent meetings, or outings with friends if your body feels tired.

Set the tone for a well-rested sleep by going to bed at a reasonable hour, keeping technology out of the bedroom, and sleeping in a dark, cool space.

8. Treat Yourself to Fresh Flowers

What better spring self-care practice than buying or picking yourself fresh flowers? Flowers are often an immediate mood booster and can brighten up any space, whether it’s your home or office.

You can take this up a notch by getting fresh flowers for a loved one, too. Not only is it rewarding to do acts of kindness for yourself, but it's also gratifying to give to others.

9. Move Your Body

“Even if you move your body for as little as 30 minutes per day, you’ll see the benefits of increased mood, focus, and motivation,” says Mellick. 

Moving your body doesn't have to be a grand gesture. While longer walks and workouts are often very beneficial, self-care should be attainable and enjoyable. A short walk around your neighborhood or through a park can be an excellent way to move your body, and spring is the perfect time for this. You can also move your body through stretching, dancing, or playing with your children.

10. Say Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are inspirational statements you say to yourself silently or aloud. According to Mellick, positive affirmations can boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Find a saying – or a few – that you enjoy. Write them down and put them somewhere visible, like your mirror, car, or desk. Say your positive affirmation(s) to yourself a few times each day, especially during moments when you need a break or mood booster.

11. Hydrate

One of the easiest ways to practice self-care daily is through hydration. “We need water to survive, and it’s an easy way to increase your focus and boost your energy,” says Mellick.

If you find it challenging to drink water throughout the day, make a habit of drinking a glass of water when you wake up and with each meal. Eventually, this will become natural, and you may even start to crave it more.

12. Practice Breathwork

“My all-time favorite self-care practice is breathwork because it’s built into our bodies,” says Mellick. “The main goal is to slow your breath while breathing deep into your belly. This helps stimulate your nervous system, which offers a sense of relaxation.”

You can practice breathwork at any moment during your day (e.g., before you get out of bed in the morning, when you're sitting at a stoplight, or while taking a shower). To make breathwork a habit and experience the benefits, find a specific time in your day to start this routine. Over time, you'll likely be more aware of your breath and how you're breathing.

13. Have a Spa Day

Spa days are a popular self-care activity because they’re an enjoyable way to treat yourself. Whether you visit your local spa or create an at-home spa day, take this time to distance yourself from daily priorities and fully enjoy relaxation.

If you want to create a spa day at home, you can:

• Play calming music
• Light a relaxing candle
• Soak in a warm bath
• Take a long shower
• Give yourself a face and/or hair mask

14. Create a Vision Board

What better time to create a vision board than as you go into a new season? Indulge in spring self-care with a vision board that helps you get creative while planning for your goals.

Cut out pictures and words from magazines or draw your own to create a vision board that shows what you’re looking forward to (e.g., social activities, earning more money, travel plans, etc.).

15. Talk to a Professional

Talking to a professional is one of the best ways to care for yourself. Consider scheduling an appointment with a counselor if you want to talk about concerns, goals, or feelings.

Most therapists have specific expertise, such as stress management, life changes, and relationships. There are many therapists to choose from, whether you prefer meeting with someone in person or virtually.

How to Schedule Self-Care

"The most important thing about scheduling self-care is integrating into your life," says Schoen. Instead of thinking of self-care as an event you must make special time for, consider how you can incorporate it into your daily routine without having to spare extra time.

Simmons also suggests doing a little bit of self-care every day. Instead of letting your cup become empty before you take care of yourself, a small effort each day will make it easier to maintain your wellness. 

Along with regular self-care, you might also occasionally schedule a morning, afternoon, or day for yourself, whether that be once per month or quarter. This can allow you to entirely disconnect from outside obligations and chaos and focus on yourself.

Henderson-Teelucksingh suggests the following self-care practices, depending on how much time you have to spend:

• 30 seconds: Take a deep breath
• One minute: Do a body scan
• 15 minutes: Eat a snack and pay close attention to the taste and texture
• 30 minutes: Give yourself a facial and notice each product you apply to your face
• One hour: Take a walk and notice how your feet move across the ground

Spring Self-Care Ideas: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are inspired to spring into self-care.

Incorporating wellness practices into your daily routines can help your well-being blossom, allowing you to live a more fulfilled, happier, and healthier life.