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You know how much I love to talk about, encourage, and even participate in self-care. You know that, right?
Well if you’re new to my blog the one thing you should know about me is that I LOVE self-care! I am such a huge advocate for it and I strongly believe that everyone should be participating in it every single day. There are so many reasons why we all should be engaging in self-care on a daily basis.
Some of those reasons include:
- It promotes a healthy relationship with ourselves
- It increases our confidence and self-esteem
- It helps in creating healthy boundaries with others
- It promotes an overall greater well-being
- It helps you be more energetic throughout the day
These are just a few reasons why you should be doing self-care on a daily basis. Of course, this list could be a lot longer, but that’s not what today’s post is about. Instead I want to introduce you to some ways that you can engage in self-care with a friend, a family member, or anybody in your life who could use a little bit of self-loving as well.
Often times when we think of self-care, we think of the alone time that we all so desperately crave. While this is a great way, and honestly my favorite way, to engage in self-care, that’s not the only way to do it effectively. Believe it or not you can hang out with your friends and family doing fun things while still taking the time to engage in self-care.
Curious to know more? Then check out the amazing list below with 20 self-care activities that you can do with a friend!
20 Self-Care Activities That You Can Do with A Friend
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Workout together
Working out can be lonely sometimes. Some people like it this way and some people like to have company when they’re working out. If you’re one of those people then this is a great activity to do with your friend. Decide on whether or not you will do a workout together at home, at the gym, or maybe even outside somewhere sunny. Simply get the materials and gear that you will need and then hop right to it!
My favorite way to workout is online with Blogilates. All of her workouts are a combination of traditional workouts and Pilates. The best part is that most of her workouts are free and can be completed in the comfort of your own home.
If you would like to learn more about starting a workout routine at home click here. And yes, this can be done with your friend.
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Do a puzzle
Puzzles are a great way to keep your brain active and healthy. It’s also a great way to improve your memory (if your memory isn’t that great). Puzzles help us remember shapes, sizes, and colors in order to visualize the bigger picture. If you haven’t guessed it yet, this skill can also be applied to your everyday life, specifically when it comes to goal setting.
Here are some puzzles that are sure to keep you and your friend busy for hours!
Balloon Bonanza Puzzle…this is a challenge!
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Challenge each other’s negative thinking
The best way to show your love and support for one another is by challenging each other’s negative thinking. For example, if your friend says things like “I’m such a loser”, or “I’ll never find love”, or my personal favorite “Nobody likes me”, challenge them on these thoughts.
Sit with them and ask them why they feel this way. If you want to go the extra mile help them work through any insecurities they may have, which may be leading to these thoughts. Remind them of their self-worth and self-love and encourage them to reframe their way of thinking.
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Walk and talk
The simplest way to engage in self-care is by simply going for a walk. Some people really enjoy long walks by themselves and some don’t. If you prefer to have a buddy with you then grab your friend and go for a walk. While on the walk talk about things, literally anything and everything. Get something off your chest or use this time to brainstorm some other fun activities that you can do together.
Related Posts: 12 Habits of Mindful People You Should Consider Adopting Today
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Spend an hour reading and discussing a book
Have you ever wanted to be a part of a book club? Well now is your chance. Find a good book to read with your friend and get together once a week to discuss it. Reading is not only fundamental, but it can increase your brain power and improve your memory. Think of it as a good workout for your brain. Book club for two anyone?
Here are some good books to read together!
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Learn how to play a new game
I love games. While I want to advocate hard for board games, I can’t outlaw video games. I guess this is a matter of whatever it is that you and your friend both enjoy, and would rather do. Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with doing either! The main goal here is to again, flex your brain, have fun, and feed your soul.
Here are some fun board games that I love playing with my friends!
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Support one another in your goals
The best thing you and your friend can do for one another is support each other in your goals. It’s challenging enough when we try to achieve goals that we don’t feel supported in achieving. Don’t be that person. Support each other, lift each other up, and encourage each other to become the best version of themselves.
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Volunteer together
Be grateful for the life that you live and everything you have. Better yet show how grateful you are by paying it forward. There are a ton of organizations that can use volunteers to help them continue to grow and thrive, so that they can continue to help and support our communities. A quick Google search will help you find organizations that you and your friend can volunteer your time to!
Related Posts: How to Boost Your Confidence So That You Can Live A Happier Life
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Eat lunch together
Personally, this is one of my favorite things to do with my friends. Sitting down and talking about anything while eating is a great way to de-stress, get caught up with what’s going on in each other’s life, and take a break from the real world.
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Meal prep with each other
A big part of self-care is ensuring that you are doing all that you can do to take care of yourself from the inside out. What better way to do this than to meal prep! I’ll admit, meal prepping is still something that I’m becoming accustomed to, but I do find that it makes my life so much easier when I do (at least when it comes to what to eat). Get in on the action with your friend and support one another in eating and living a healthier lifestyle!
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Try adult coloring
I know as adults we tend to think that coloring is just for kids. Well I’m here to tell you that’s it not, and when you find the right picture it actually can be very fun and relaxing. Here are some good adult coloring books to check out!
Adult Coloring Books: Mandalas
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Attend a yoga class
I LOVE yoga. There are so many positive health benefits to doing yoga, and honestly this activity is great all on its own. But it’s even more fun and enjoyable when you do it with a friend who is just a committed as you are! You can do yoga at home with a YouTube video, or attend a live class at your local yoga studio. The choice is yours.
Here’s where I love to shop for all my yoga mats!
Related Posts: Controlling the Overwhelm: 10 Things to Do to Relieve Yourself of Stress
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Engage in stretching
Stretching is good for the body and you should strive to do it every day. If possible, try to stretch twice a day, once in the morning and once at night right before bed. Have your friend stretch with you while you watch a movie, as part of your warm-up or cool-down of a workout routine, or even while you’re just hanging out and catching up with one another. Five minutes is all you need!
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Participate in a water challenge
It’s important to stay hydrated and I know that most people don’t drink a lot of water during the day. While I’m not here to point my finger at you, I am here to tell you that it’s so important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Not only for your physical well-being, but for your mental well-being as well. So, I challenge you to challenge a friend to drink as much water as you can (aim for around 8 glasses) in a day. You can even make a fun friendly game out of it.
You can learn more about the positive health benefits of drinking water here.
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Spend some time in nature
Just like going for a walk spend some valuable time in mother nature. Go for a hike, spend a weekend in the mountains, or go for a nice stroll on a beautiful trail surrounded by green trees. Be one with nature.
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Spend time telling one another how much you mean to each other
There’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing that you are an important piece in someone’s life. One of the hardest things for us to do is to show ourselves and others compassion. It’s because it’s too vulnerable for our liking! But don’t let that be the reason you never let others know how much they mean to you, and how thankful and grateful you are for their presence in your life. Practice gratitude with your friend.
Related Posts: Three Tips to Help You Bounce Back from A Bad Day
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Have a sleepover
Yep that’s right straight up middle style (but not really)! Get together and have a sleepover. Watch movies, eat yummy and healthy snacks, talk about life, and spend some time showing each other, as well as yourself some TLC. There’s nothing better than spreading some girl (and boy) love.
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Go to a comedy show
Laughter is the best medicine. I truly do believe this. If you have a friend that you always end up having a good time with, and laughing with until you can’t breathe, then you need to keep that party train going. Go see a comedy show with your friend and laugh until there’s nothing more to laugh about. This is a great way to spend some quality time with each other, and to de-stress without even trying.
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Go wine tasting
I love me some wine, how about you? Something that is on my bucket list is to go wine tasting. This is a fun way to discover new wine, relax, and do something adult-like. Plus, drinking a glass of wine a day is good for you! Especially red wine. Wine is rich in antioxidants and can help with improving body mass/weight and even your heart.
However, drink responsibly and in moderation. One glass a day will do you good. Check with your doctor to learn more about the health benefits of drinking a glass a wine a day.
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Encourage one another to do more self-care
Above all encourage one another to take care of yourself. Engage in self-care. Learn more about what self-care is and how it can help you with learning how to love yourself more. There are a ton of things that you can do as a form self-care. All you have to do is commit ten minutes, sometimes less, sometimes more, of your time to doing it. Not only will you be happier and healthier, but you will also feel so much more fulfilled with the life that you live.
It’s a daily practice that everyone should be doing. If you need to start off by doing self-care activities with a friend first then so be it. Eventually you will find your own rhythm and tune and learn how to do it by yourself.
However, at the end of the day the main point of self-care is to do it because you are choosing to love yourself more! It may be a slow start, but slow and steady is better than sitting around and never being ready.
Related Posts: 8 Of the Best Books for Personal Development
Here’s a recap of 20 self-care activities you can do with a friend:
- Workout together
- Do a puzzle
- Challenge each other’s negative thinking
- Walk and talk
- Spend an hour reading and discussing a book
- Learn how to play a new game
- Support one another in your goals
- Volunteer together
- Eat lunch together
- Meal prep with each other
- Try adult coloring
- Attend a yoga class
- Engage in stretching
- Participate in a water challenge
- Spend some time in nature
- Spend time telling one another how much you mean to each other
- Have a sleepover
- Go to a comedy show
- Go wine tasting
- Encourage one another to do more self-care
Be sure to click here to download this list for free! That way you can hang it up somewhere for you to see every day! This will also help motivate you to make daily self-care a positive habit that fits naturally into your lifestyle.
What do you and your friend like to do together for self-care?
-Xo
Kimora