I used to be the kind of person who could not stand to be alone. I was constantly consumed with boredom and would wallow in self pity; I believed that since it seemed as though I was not good enough for others to want to be around, I was not even good enough for myself.

However, once I discovered the benefits of self care and finding contentment in solitude, I was able to see the beauty in myself and peace and quiet.

There are many sources of distraction, anxiety, internal tribulations and stress in this world that can make one feel completely burnt out or alone. That is why it is all the more important to dedicate some time on a regular basis to simply focusing on oneself; in order to clear your mind and restore whatever parts of you that may have been exhausted throughout the week.

Recently I heard a friend say “Take a look at who you are and how you act when you’re alone. Because that is you in your truest, most genuine form.” To me, this statement reiterated the importance of taking time to care for oneself. It is okay to be your own best friend; in fact, it’s something everyone should learn to do. Replenish your soul by doing things that make you happy— alone time allows you to do things without feeling any pressure or worrying about the wants or needs of others.

It’s a good idea to dedicate some time every week (or even a short amount of time every day) to doing things that help you feel refreshed and ready to take on whatever life will throw at you. Here are some activities to consider in order to practice self-care.

Body

• When a lot of people think of self-care, they think of taking a bath, specifically with a LUSH bath bomb. While there is a lot more to self-care than bathing, I will be the first to say some of my best ideas and most insightful moments take place while I’m in the shower or bath. Cleansing oneself physically can often evoke an internal feeling of euphoria. Taking a few extra steps in the shower (a homemade coconut oil and sugar scrub for the shower is my go-to, and it will change your life). Want to experiment with creating the perfect bath? Here is a list of products for just that.
• Try using a face mask. Sheet masks are usually around $1 and are fun to scare people with.
• Attempt recreating a great meal you had once.
• Keep yourself hydrated with water or your favorite kind of tea.

Mind

• Record your thoughts regularly, whether it be in a journal or on a blog.
• Watch every movie made by a favorite director. Wes Anderson’s films  are my personal favorite.
• Look up local events and mark the ones you would like to go to on a calendar.
• Hit the “random article” tab on the sidebar of Wikipedia.
• Do something that makes you feel accomplished, even if it seems like the simplest of tasks, such as cleaning out a drawer in your room or reading a chapter of a book.

Soul

• Create a playlist for a certain mood or feeling, or one full of instant pick-me-up songs.
• Watch episodes of your favorite childhood show.
• Listen to a favorite album or an album you’ve never listened to before and focus completely on the music. Do nothing else and allow the lyrics and instrumentals to sink in.
• Go on a walk anywhere you are surrounded by nature. (If you can drive, drive around a familiar area, or if you’re feeling adventurous, simply follow whichever roads you’d like. (Make sure you have some device to find your way back home!)
• Visit a pet store or animal shelter.
• Research a city you’ve never been to, and make a plan including all the places you would go if you were to visit.

While what is listed above acts as a way for myself to recharge and practice self-care, it is only a starting point. Self-care is a vital habit to take up, and it can be whatever you make it. The key is to take part in activities for no other reason than to make yourself feel happy.