There are many days that go by where we barely tend to our own wants and needs. For overthinkers and overdoers, it is easy to get swept up in our to-do lists and external demands. Where this may sound odd talking to busy perfectionists, but there is another thing we need on our own daily list. We need incorporated self care.

Before you roll your eyes, adding incorporated self care is a way to ensure we have moments of respite each day. In this week’s blog, we are going to discuss what is incorporated self care, why we need it, and where to schedule it into your routine.

Don’t have time to read? Save this article because there is a list of 30 incorporated self care ideas to get your started!

What Exactly Is Incorporated Self Care?

Incorporated self care is an activity that is accessible, replenishing, and can be done frequently (daily, several times a week). Incorporated self care is more like a ritual to serve as a respite within your day.

Incorporated self care is more focused on in the moment coping and resetting. It is not meant to be overwhelming or revolutionary. The idea behind incorporated self care is to reduce the engagement in “self care” that serves as numbing or an escape.

Incorporated self care might sound like the things you are already doing but aren’t helping in the way expected. Hear me out, incorporated self care is not only about the task but also where it is placed within your day.

Why Do We Need Incorporated Self Care?

There is a host of reasons as to why we need incorporated self care in our day-to-day lives. For the moment, I want to focus on this concept…

We need frequent exposure to low-lift, light-hearted, and fun activities.

Everything can’t be important or significant, and us overthinkers and overdoers really have a way of making everything a thing. Incorporated self care is meant to be accessible and low lift in order to reduce barriers and increase the frequency of the practice. If we only reserve our self care for big deal moments, then we are missing the point of a more compassionate life.

Frequency helps us reduce anxiety around the “effectiveness” or “scarcity” of self care moments. Low-lift activities ensure that we are going to be poured into, instead of even more burned out. Fun reminds us of why we looked forward to being adults. Increased engagement in play can improve our mental and physical health.

We need to embrace this with some gravity because it is more than being silly. It is reclaiming our time and bringing more joy back into our daily lives.

30 Incorporated Self Care Ideas

Here are 30 Incorporated Self Care Ideas to get your inspo going. More details on implementation are further in the article!

1. Physical crossword or sudoku puzzles
2. Painting your nails
3. Coloring books, doodling, or other accessible art mediums
4. Puzzles
5. Walking or Hiking
6. Stretching or Yoga
7. Midday beverage break
8. Massaging your face and hands
9. Journaling or Blogging
10. Pinterest
11. Gardening (including indoor plants) and Propagating
12. Reading Books or Magazines
13. Meditations or Daily Devotionals
14. Molding Clay/Play Doh
15. Baking or Cooking
16. Hair or Makeup Tutorials
17. Arranging Flowers
18. Playing a card game
19. Put together outfits in your closet
20. Learn to play an instrument (used music stores: keyboard, drums/drumpad, harmonica)
21. Making and Listening to Playlists
22. Putting a golf ball (used sporting good stores), kicking a soccer ball
23. Junk Journaling or Scrapbooking
24. Learning a new language (Babel or Duolingo)
25. Knitting, sewing, jewelry making
26. Dancing or Movement to Music
27. Organize photos and create photo books
28. Podcasts (specifically one that is inspiring, storytelling, or educational)
29. Blowing Bubbles
30. Spend dedicated time with pet (playing, snuggling, petting the dog)

Intention: The Secret Sauce

Incorporated self care cannot be an afterthought. When we wait for the right time or don’t prioritize it, self care can lose its impact. Remember, the intention of these activities is to provide a break into our day, to be a respite, to replenish, and to remind us how to have fun again. Intention is related to how we schedule the activities, how we set up the activities, and the mindset we carry into the activities.

A few ways to increase intention:

• Schedule breaks into your planner
• Set reminders and alarms
• Ensure boundaries or expectations with others (ex: Do while kids are in an activity or Tell family that the next 15 minutes are to be uninterrupted)
• Remember your why and choose a value associated with the task (ex: Value of “creativity” can be associated with art projects)

Additional Hacks

Set yourself up for success with these hacks:

• Create an incorporated self care basket with items needed. This can also be for multiple activities.
• Set up the items near where you will want to practice incorporated self care the most.
• Get community involved with accountability groups or group activity time.

Yes Incorporated Self Care Can Be Difficult

Remember, engaging in self care is not a natural behavior in our culture. We are susceptible to making things like self care about productivity and for it to “work.” It will take extra brain power to build this habit. This is why we need to have an attitude of self compassion and curiosity. See these acts as experiments, and take note of the aftereffects of the activities. Don’t be afraid to experiment with timing, length of time engaging in incorporated self care, and with the activities themselves.

Starting a self care routine does not have to be over the top. You more than likely have the supplies and time already!

Wrap Up: What Are You Waiting For?

Incorporated self care does sound like a lot of the self care ideas you know about. The shifts lie in the intention, frequency, and desired outcome. Like we said earlier, incorporated self care is not here to solve all your problems. It is a burnout and capacity management technique.

You deserve those pockets of time to pour back into yourself. You deserve to tap into activities you used to love or always wanted to try. We need to remember that we are more than our productivity and what we give to others.

Make some time this week to pour back into you.

The Nine to Kind Possibility Planner is designed to give you compassionate accountability with your healthy habits. From weekly habit trackers to open space to schedule your incorporated self care, you will have that built in reminder to slow down. Browse the shop now!