“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough,” brought to us by the unforgettable Mae West. Self-care should be part of that life, right? Of course it should be, especially for women in their 40s and 50s. We have given so much and worked so hard already; we need some self-care aka “me time.”
What is self-care?
There is no one definition, but most people agree that it is doing something just for pleasure, just because we like it. There is no profit, no benefits (other than pleasure and satisfaction) and no obligation. With this out of the way, here are some activities to inspire your Spring Self-Care journey:

Try to go to bed early (and sleep)
The long days of spring and summer bring a lot of activities and sometimes we sacrifice sleep. As you know, sleep is super-crucial for our wellbeing and health. If you are going to take care of yourself, this is an easy, wonderful activity that will yield great results.
Do more of what …
Do more of what makes you happy. What makes you happy? Dancing, singing, painting, and pottery-making, just watching a great movie or reading a book. Pick an activity and try to do it at least a couple of times in this season. Put it on your calendar to make it real, to make it happen.
Cook
If you like to cook, try a couple of recipes using seasonal ingredients. For example asparagus, artichokes, arugula, beets, leeks, radishes and others. Use one or more of these vegetables to create something yummy like a soup, salad, smoothie or a great dish.

Go outside, enjoy nature
There is nothing more relaxing than nature. Go out and enjoy your garden or just take a walk in a park. Being in nature helps us to calm down, reducing the levels of cortisol and helping us to balance our hormones, and it is easy and nice.
Spa treatment at home
Prepare a space to have your favorite treatment. For example, a pedicure, manicure, facial, self-massage, foot massage, head massage, hair mask, whole body exfoliation, etc. Play some great music, or enjoy silence if you like, spray essential oil and prep reading material if you want. Put your phone far, far away, where you cannot reach it. Prepare everything, get your favorite herbal tea and do your treatment. Book yourself time and put it on your calendar; make a do not disturb sign, so that family members leave you alone for a bit.
Prepare a new music list
Include new and old music. Include one or more songs from your childhood, from teen years, college, late 20, 30s, 40s and whenever else you like.
Learn new makeup
If you use makeup, learn a new technique with videos, a free Sephora class, or a paid lesson or makeover.
Have a tea party
With friends or family. Or an ice cream party if you prefer, or any type of small party with minimum effort.

Take a weekend off
Even if it is only one day and even if it is in your house. Do only activities that you will do during vacation.
Put positivity in your social media
Delete or unfollow people who post negative things or do not bring joy to your life in social media. Such as negative politics, news, scares, conspiracy theories etc.
Take a mental health day.
We all need it. Plan it out and do something you love
Other ideas
- Make or buy an awesome herbal tea
- Make or buy a flower arrangement
- Go karaoke with your friends
- Visit a museum. Ideal activity for a rainy day
- Get a massage.
- Try a new hair style
- Write a list of 10 things that make you happy
- Make infused water with fruits you love and try to drink it at room temperature
- Doodle
What else would you add to your list of spring self-care?
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A Mae West intro – how perfect for self care. This article is remarkably clear and rich. I am pinning it so I remember to do all of these things. Thank you.
Thanks a lot Verla. Mae West was a special lady with lots of self care.
Great list! I am 40 now and started paint by numbers last year, so relaxing and fun for me! Self-care is a must!
Thanks Rebecca. Age is just a number and we learn that more and more as time goes by.
I am turning 50 in just a couple of months, and “self care” has been on my mind a lot lately. It’s not something I’ve ever been very good at, but I am finding that I need to start taking better care of myself so that I can take better care of the ones that I love. There are some really good ideas here–pinning this so that I can refer back to it. 🙂
Thanks Cyndi, I glad you found some ideas you can apply. Self care sometimes sounds like selfish to many women, but we need it.
I am almost 62 and see the wisdom is all of your suggestions. I definitely need to work more on unplugging from SM. It can be such a waste of time.
I am lucky to have a swimming pool that I use almost everyday for feeling the sun and getting some exercise. I makes a world of difference when I do.
Hi Meegan. Self care, doing little or big things for ourselves is important to relax and expand our happiness.
Great list, need all the help I can.
Thanks Maria. Self care is very important and it is only when we do it that we realize that we need it.
I do try and do at least some of these things on a regular basis, Loren. I would like to learn some new makeup techniques! 🙂 Just taking a bath on Saturday mid-morning after working outside watering plants and getting dirty was a treat. <3 Thank you for the reminder. 🙂
Happy almost spring to you,
Barb 🙂
Hi Barbara. Wonderful idea to take a bath to relax after working outside. Both activities are very relaxing.