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Self care checklist: what to include and how to create one?

Master your well-being with a self-care checklist. Boost mental, physical, and emotional health effortlessly.

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What is a self care checklist and why create one?

What to include in a self care checklist?

Tips for creating a self-care checklist.

Self care checklist examples.

Spend any time on social media, and you’ll easily get the impression that self-care is all about bubble baths, cappuccinos, and champagne — but it’s so much more than that. Read this article to learn more about self-care and how a checklist can help you ensure you make time to take care of yourself.

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What is a self care checklist and why create one?

A self-care checklist acts as a personalized tool designed to help you prioritize your health and happiness. You might draft one for each day, week, or month, tweaking it to suit your unique circumstances and tastes. Common elements often address physical fitness, mental balance, emotional nourishment, and spiritual grounding.

Practicing self-care can serve as a way for you to check in with how you’re feeling, look after your health, and even prevent burnout.

Here are a few reasons why you should create a self care list and make sure you prioritize what’s important.

Actively prioritize self-care in your life. By writing a list, you create a reminder to take time for yourself and your well-being.
Reduce stress and burnout. Introducing self-care activities into your routine can help alleviate stress and even prevent burnout. This list ensures you have a variety of options to choose from when you need to recharge.
Enhance mental well-being. Self-care activities can have a positive impact on your emotional and mental well-being. These activities enable you to nurture yourself, practice self-compassion, and develop skills in managing your emotions.
Improve physical health. Your self care checklist can include activities like exercising, eating healthy meals, and getting enough sleep. All of these activities can contribute to improving your physical health.
Boost productivity. When you take regular breaks for self-care activities, you can actually enhance your productivity and focus.

What to include in a self care checklist?

Self-care takes many forms, and different people will find different activities beneficial. To some, it can be taking a long walk or curling up with a good book. To others, it might mean getting finances in order and paying bills on time.

When creating your own daily self-care list, you can start with a to-do list template or on paper, then write down or brainstorm activities you find meaningful or helpful.

To help you get started, here is a framework for a comprehensive self care checklist that covers everything from physical to mental to emotional well-being:

1. Physical self care list.

Focusing on your body’s needs ensures you maintain energy, strength, and overall health.

Nutrition

Prepare and enjoy a balanced meal (e.g., lean protein, vegetables, whole grains).
Keep a reusable water bottle nearby and aim for at least eight cups of water a day.

Sleep and rest

Establish a consistent bedtime routine: dim lights, limit screens, and unwind with reading.
Schedule power naps (10–20 minutes) when feeling fatigued rather than pushing through exhaustion.

Movement and exercise

Take a brisk 20-minute walk during a break or after dinner.
Follow a simple at-home workout (yoga, bodyweight exercises, or stretching) at least three times a week.

Preventive care

Book routine checkups (doctor, dentist, optometrist) and set reminders on your calendar.
Take any prescribed vitamins or medications consistently, setting alarms if needed.

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2. Mental or emotional self care checklist

Addressing your mind and feelings helps reduce stress, boost resilience, and cultivate a positive outlook.

Mindfulness and meditation

Spend 5–10 minutes each morning practicing deep breathing or guided meditation.
Use a meditation app or follow a short audio exercise before bed to clear your mind.

Emotional check-ins

Keep a mood journal — Jot down one sentence about your feelings at the start and end of each day.
Identify a trusted friend or family member for weekly emotional huddles to discuss highs and lows.

Therapeutic practices

Schedule regular therapy, counseling, or life-coaching sessions (in-person or virtual).
Practice gratitude by writing down three things you’re grateful for each evening.

Creative outlets

Carve out 15–30 minutes to paint, draw, write, or play music when you feel stressed.
Engage in a hobby — knitting, cooking, gardening — that you can lose yourself in for relaxation.

By integrating examples from each category into your self care checklist, tailoring them to your unique lifestyle and preferences, you’ll create a more holistic approach to well-being. Remember, self-care is dynamic: revisit and update your checklist regularly to reflect changing needs, challenges, and goals.

Tips for creating a self-care checklist.

Designing a self-care checklist that truly supports your well-being means going beyond simply listing tasks. It’s about creating a meaningful, manageable routine that helps you feel your best. Here are some practical tips to help you build a self-care checklist that works for you.

Start with what matters most.
Identify areas of your life that feel most out of balance or in need of support. Focus your checklist around those priorities, whether they consist of rest, connection, creativity, or health.

Practice self-kindness.
Avoid judging yourself for what you can or can’t do in a day. Treat yourself with the same patience and care you would offer a close friend.

Know when to ask for help.
Self-care includes recognizing when outside support is needed. Whether you choose a counselor, doctor, or trusted friend, reaching out to someone can be a powerful act of self-respect.

Acknowledge progress.
Even small steps count. Write down or reflect on what you’ve accomplished, no matter how minor it seems — it builds motivation and reinforces positive habits.

Keep your outlook positive.
Look for simple joys and uplifting moments in your day. This can be as small as enjoying a quiet cup of tea, noticing nature, or laughing at a funny video.

Make it realistic.
Your list, especially if it’s a daily self-care checklist, should feel doable, not overwhelming. Start small and adapt it over time as your needs and energy levels change.

Remember, your self-care checklist is a living tool — it should grow and shift with you. The goal isn’t perfection, but consistency and compassion.

Self care checklist examples.

Now that you have some ideas of what to include in a general self-care checklist or a mental health-focused one, you can create your own self-care routine checklist.

These checklists will help you develop some daily habits for when you wake up in the morning and right before you go to sleep.

Morning self-care routine checklist.

Wake up without immediately looking at your phone.
Drink a glass of water to rehydrate your body.
Stretch or exercise lightly.
Practice five minutes of mindfulness or meditation to cultivate a sense of calm.
Prepare and eat a healthy breakfast to have energy for the day.
Practice personal hygiene by brushing your teeth and showering.
Set your goals for the day.

Night self-care routine checklist.

Disconnect from electronic devices so your body can wind down.
Practice relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or gentle stretching.
Create a relaxing environment in your bedroom by turning on some relaxing music and dimming the lights.
Avoid heavy meals and caffeine as they can interfere with your sleep quality.
Practice personal hygiene by brushing your teeth and changing into comfortable clothes.
Journal, read a relaxing book, or apply your skincare routine.

Save your self-care checklist as a PDF for easy access.

Once you’ve taken the time to create your own daily checklist, you can tape it inside a journal or convert the checklist to a PDF so you can easily view it on your computer or mobile device.

Either way, place it somewhere highly visible so you can gain inspiration every day.

Keep your self-care goals top of mind. Take a moment to explore everything you can do with Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Acrobat online services to make working with PDFs fast and easy.

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