A hug.  Give a hug or get a hug.  Find someone in your house who needs one and make it count!  Or, if you need a hug, ask for one.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for what you need.  You may be surprised at how good that feels, too!

A small win.  Celebrate completing a chore you’ve been putting off or making a phone call you didn’t want to make.  Perhaps you fought the urge to call in sick to work, or you bit your tongue and didn’t say those gloriously tempting scathing words but kept them inside.  This square is open to interpretation.  Use it for any small accomplishment that feels great to you! 

Bake a Goodie.  Or buy a goodie.  Or eat a goodie.  Goodies are amazing for self-care!

Bike Ride.  Take a bike ride.  Get some fresh air.  Maybe you don’t have a bike, but you have a stroller.  Take your kids or grandkids for a ride, or take your golf cart out for a spin around the neighborhood.  Anything with wheels works here!

Bubble bath.  Is there anything better than a great bubble bath?  I think not.  Soak up some relaxation with candles and soft music, if that’s your thing.  No tub?  It’s okay.  A long, relaxing shower is just as good!  You choose.

Cook.  If cooking is your happy activity, then cook something up!  If cooking isn’t your happy place, then remind yourself of how amazing it is that you can provide the people you love with nourishment.  Give credit where it’s due, and pat yourself on the back for this accomplishment!

Cuddle kitty.  If you are lucky enough to share your world with a kitty, then take a minute to give him a cuddle or a scratch.  Your kitty will love it and if you’re lucky enough to hear a purr, then know that the sound of a cat’s purring has the power to lower your blood pressure.

Cup of coffee.  Treat yourself to a home-brewed cup of your favorite coffee, or take yourself out for a special treat.  Or maybe it’s a special treat to add some flavored creamer.  Either way, you pick how your coffee gives you the best boost!

Cup of tea.  Treat yourself to a special cup of your favorite flavored tea.  I’m a big fan of a Chai Tea Latte, and that’s not an everyday drink for me, so I take myself to the local coffee shop for this special treat every now and then.  If that’s not in your budget, you can always steep your cup of tea right at home!

Dance Break.  This one is pretty self-explanatory.  Go ahead, bust a move to your favorite tune!  Even better if there’s someone nearby to join in the fun.

Deep Breaths.  Take some deep breaths to re-center your focus.  If you have a smartwatch, you can use it to guide you through this practice.  Or look for an app for your phone that will walk you through some deep breathing exercises.  Or go basic and just stop what you’re doing and slowly breathe in and out with your eyes closed.

Exercise.  If you belong to a gym, good for you!  Check this one off each time you head for the gym for some body-building fun.  If you don’t, that’s okay!  Take a few minutes to do some sit-ups, pushups, or squats.  Anything that gets your blood flowing works here!

FREE SQUARE – In the spirit of the best self-care, check this box off for free every day!

Funny Videos.  If you haven’t dived into the land of YouTube, you’re missing out on an opportunity to enjoy some free laughter.  Set your timer or set a limit for the number of videos you’ll watch and spend a few minutes releasing endorphins through laughter!  Laughter is, after all, the best medicine!

Game break.  Go ahead and let yourself have some fun!  Allow yourself a few minutes to play your favorite game on your phone.  Best to set a timer for this, so you don’t get so lost in the fun you forget to return to real life, though.  If you have kids or grandkids with a Wii or an Oculus, go ahead and play a game with them right in the middle of your day.  A minute of gameplay is not only a treat for you but is a treat for them as well!

Get Cozy.  Sometimes the best thing we can do to care for ourselves is tuck in and feel cozy.  I keep a weighted blanket near my couch, and some days the weight on my lap and around my shoulders is just what I need to soothe my spirit.  If you don’t have a weighted blanket, any effort at treating yourself to some cozy comfort will work.  Maybe you just need to take off those tight jeans and replace them with some fuzzy joggers.  Recognizing your comfort is the goal for this square.

Get crafty.  Go ahead and check out a new craft that you’ve wanted to try.  Or pick up an old favorite.  Get those knitting needles out or put together a scrapbook page in the family album.  Whatever you choose, getting crafty is a great way to take a break from your day and focus on something that brings you joy!

Glass of wine.  Or Diet Coke.  Or Water.  Any beverage that makes you feel good and is a little treat.  Indulge yourself.  I can’t drink a lot of orange juice for specific health reasons, but I sure do love it and miss it.  Occasionally I can treat myself to a small cup of OJ, and I savor it.  What a delightful treat!

Go for a walk.  Take a 15-minute break from your day to walk.  Use your break for this quick pick-me-up if you work in an office.  If you work from home or are retired, make this one a part of your daily routine.  There are plenty of walk-in-place videos, either online or at your local library, that work if walking outside isn’t an option.  A quick walk will get your blood pumping and clear your mind, too!

Haircut.  Don’t you just love a fresh cut!?  Taking care of our physical needs is a great way to take care of our mental health.  Count this square if you’ve made an appointment for your next cut, or you made your way to the salon for a fresh ‘do!

Have a cry.  Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to have a good cry.  Put on that one song that gets you in touch with your sad side, or put in a movie.  A sure-fire cry movie for me is “Hope Floats” with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr.  I bawl every time I watch that movie.  And sometimes, it provides just the healing I need.

Healthy Snack.  Eat something good for yourself!  Better yet – replace a not-so-healthy treat with something delicious and good for you.  Taking care of your body helps you take care of your mind!

Hold a boundary.  Know your worth and hold the line.  Tell someone NO.  If that’s a tough one for you, read Be Brave and Courageous – 100 Fun Ways to Say No for some great ideas. Saying no is hard for me, so I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I can check off this self-care bingo box!

Journal.  Journaling is a great way to get your feelings out.  Treat yourself to a fun and unique notebook.  Keep it handy, so you can take a few minutes each day to write out things you’re grateful for or situations that are hard for you.  Putting these thoughts on paper is a fantastic way to take great care of yourself.

Let off Steam.  I love this exercise when I’m having a rough time.  My therapist taught me to take raw eggs and throw them at the trees when I need to let some frustration out.  Maybe you need to go into a room and punch some pillows or scream at the top of your lungs.  There are so many ways you can let some steam out.  Please don’t underestimate the importance of letting it out and not bottling it up!

Light a candle.  Or change up your wax melts.  The important thing here is to treat your senses to a new and lovely scent.  I love to take my toddler grandson shopping, and when we shop, he and I go to the candle department and sniff all the delightful candle scents.  The smells are very grounding, and smelling them together with him is a fun bonding experience. And when we do it, he has fun helping me check off this self care bingo box, too!

Listen to nature.  Open a window and hear the birds chirp.  Take a break to look out the window and count the squirrels.  Do something that forces you to take a quick break from your routine and allows you to refocus on something that pleases you.

Make a list.  For me, making a list helps me feel organized.  I use this square if I check something important off of my list, too.  You choose how it works best for you each day.

Mani/Pedi.  Pamper yourself with some beautiful nails.  I have a hard time reaching my toes, so for me, the best kind of pampering involves a trip to the local nail salon.  Nothing feels quite as lovely as a fresh manicure or pedicure!

Music.  Play your favorite song and sing along!  Belting out your favorite tune is a great way to lift your spirits and put the world in perspective again.  Pair this up with some dance moves, and you can check off a couple of your Bingo boxes!

Pay a compliment.  Paying a compliment to others is sometimes the best way to take care of ourselves.  So, break this one out regularly.  Tell that cashier that you love her hair or the waitress that she’s doing a great job.  Tell a young mom struggling in a difficult moment that she’s doing a great job.  If you don’t have it in you to compliment a stranger, compliment yourself!

Play in the dirt.  Getting your hands dirty is great for our minds and bodies.  I have a “black thumb” and cannot manage to grow most plants, but I have persisted until I found one Christmas Cactus that thrives for me.  Nurturing this little plant is good for my psyche, so when I have a few minutes to water her and talk to her, I check off this box.  If you are lucky enough to have been blessed with good gardening skills, I’m jealous.  If you have a black thumb like me and don’t want to fuss with houseplants, take some time to head outside and play in the dirt.  Roll around on the grass or dig out some weeds.  No matter how you find a way to get your hands into some good and earthy dirt, you can make this box work for you creatively!

Play with a kid.  Time playing with a child is a fantastic way to refocus.  Children’s needs are much simpler than ours.  Taking time to fulfill their need by giving them time and undivided attention has a way of filling our cup unlike anything else.  If you don’t have a child built-in to your life, find one through an organization like Kids Hope or become a Big sister through the Big Brother Big Sister Program of America.  

Podcast.  Listen to your favorite podcast while you get your daily chores done.  Pick a favorite that you haven’t enjoyed in a while.  Choose a podcast from someone who makes you smile or reminds you of what matters.  If you’re unsure what a podcast is (or need some recommendations) read The Complete Guide to Podcasts for Women Over 50:  Who, What, and Why.  And bonus – you don’t even have to be over 50 to read it!

Pray.  Daily prayer is a must for me.  Use this square for when you take extra time during the day to ask God for what you need and thank Him for what he’s done.  “Don’t worry about anything.  Instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Read Break.  Pick up your favorite book or pick something new and interesting and indulge in a quick reading break.  Reading for a few minutes each day is a great escape and is the perfect way to treat yourself!

Step Outside.  Fresh air has a unique way of making us feel great.  Take a couple of minutes to step outside and breathe some fresh air.  Even in the middle of a blizzard, the crisp, cold air will feed your lungs and your soul.  So don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying nature’s finest offering!

Sweet snack.  Go ahead!  Indulge in a piece of chocolate or a slice of that cake that’s been taunting you.  It’s not only okay to indulge on occasion, but it’s also necessary!

Take a nap.  Yup.  Sometimes you just need a nap.  Maybe not every day, but on the day you really need one, go ahead and indulge. This is one of my favorite self care bingo boxes!

Take five.  Give yourself a break from whatever it is that you’re doing.  Sitting in one place too long isn’t good for your mind or body, so change your scenery for a few.  Or maybe you’ve been worried about a situation.  Take five minutes, and don’t allow yourself to fret or think about that problem.  You can do it!

Therapy.  This box is one of my favorites to check off!  I go to therapy once a week, so it’s almost a free square for me on therapy days.  If you’ve never gone, it’s never too late to get started. If you aren’t sure therapy is for you, here are 10 Benefits of Therapy You Won’t Believe – Part 1

Treat Yourself.  That’s right.  Ice cream for the win!  I love to indulge in a bowl of my favorite Ben & Jerry’s treat, Chunky Monkey.  Choose your favorite ice cream or candy, and let yourself enjoy every delightful bite!  And if you have kids around, go ahead and hide in the closet and refuse to share!  You deserve it!

Vitamin D.  Vitamin D supports our mental health.  Sunshine is one of the very best ways to get Vitamin D.  It absorbs right through our skin.  So step outside, stand in that sunbeam, and collect your daily dose of this mood-boosting vitamin!

Walk the dog.  Or pet the dog.  Or teach the dog a new trick, or review the old tricks and give her a treat.  Any time spent with your furry friend is healing to the heart and mind!

Write a note.  Choose yourself!  Write a letter to yourself at age 18 or age 12.  Tell yourself what you wish you knew back then.  Or write a note to a friend telling her what you love about her.  Then mail it!  Write a letter to your children to be opened on their wedding day.  The sky’s the limit here.  This powerful exercise has the power to help you refocus on what’s important in your world, both now and moving forward.

Yoga move.  Yoga moves are great for stretching muscles and increasing focus.  Spend a few minutes practicing a few of your favorite yoga moves, or learn a couple of new yoga moves to check off this self care bingo box.

Zoom a Friend.  Before Covid, we would have said call a friend.  Now we get the pleasure of looking at someone while we talk.  If you are my age, you remember when this was just a dream cooked up in Marty McFly’s future.  Now it’s a real thing!  A phone call will do if you don’t have the technology to Zoom someone you love.  Just use this square to reach out to someone for a feel-good moment.