The weekend is here and it’s time for a self-care Saturday that leaves you feeling relaxed and full of power again!
You deserve this break!
So, are you ready for my favorite 121 self care Saturday ideas?
Even if it’s not a Saturday when you’re reading this – no worries. It can be better if you’re reading this on a different day so that you can prepare for a day of self-care.
Just make sure you save this blog post so you can find it again later!
After a long week, you might feel like you need a break – and that’s completely okay! Self-care Saturdays (or any day of the week) are about taking some much-needed time to treat yourself, relax, and recharge.
But with so many self-care ideas, it can take time to figure out where to start.
That’s why I’ve put together over 100 self-care Saturday ideas – so you can find something that works for you and make it into the perfect day filled with activities that recharge your energy.
Disclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks for reading.
121 Self-Care Saturday Ideas
I have compiled 121 fun self-care activities that you can easily do on a Saturday for free, or at least for a low cost.
These Saturday self-care ideas can be done in an hour or less and will help you relax and recharge for the week ahead!
Don’t have that much time? Check out these 5-minute self-care activities.
Let’s get into how you can make your self-love Saturday perfect!
Self-Care Saturday Ideas To Feel Healthy & Relaxed
- Make a healthy breakfast.
- Drink 8 cups of water.
- Have a spa day at home.
- Use essential oils in your home.
- Do face masks with friends or by yourself.
- Take a relaxing bath (or a bubble bath).
- Have a break from social media.
- Read a good book.
- Flip through a magazine.
- Make a vision board.
- Write a worry list or brain dump (check out these anger journal prompts).
- Focus on the present moment for fifteen minutes.
- Take deep breaths.
- Write a to-do list for next week.
- Plan a new daily routine.
- Buy a planner and set it up.
- Visit your local farmers market.
- Take a long walk around your neighborhood or local park.
- Play some board games.
- Color in an adult coloring book.
- Try a new recipe.
- Learn a new hobby.
- Do one thing for personal growth.
- Write in a gratitude journal.
- Journal using guided journal prompts (check out these journal ideas for beginners) for self-compassion or personal growth.
- Go on a bike ride.
- Brainstorm three things you could do to build a healthy lifestyle.
- Drink herbal tea.
- Print your favorite photos and hang them up.
- Go on a nature walk.
- Spend time with family members.
- Rearrange your living room.
- Decorate your house for an upcoming holiday or season.
- Build a capsule wardrobe.
- Do some digital decluttering.
- Have a movie night.
- Go on a long drive somewhere new.
- Do some writing.
- Read a helpful blog post.
- Binge-watch your favorite TV series or favorite movies.
- Listen to your favorite podcast.
- Listen to a personal development audiobook (check out TuneIn for tons of audiobooks).
- Unfollow ten toxic people on social media.
Check out these powerful vision board photos to manifest your goals and dreams.
Relaxing Self-Care Saturday Activities
More Self-Care Saturday Ideas To Get The Most Out Of Your Weekend
- Sit in the sunshine.
- Take a self-care shower.
- Have a cold plunge for five minutes.
- Moisturize your skin.
- Clean your makeup brushes.
- Camp in the living room.
- Write a self-love letter.
- Write a letter to someone else.
- Take a nap.
- Do some baking.
- Meal prep for healthy eating all week.
- Snuggle a pet.
- Give your pet some self-care (like brushing its fur).
- Invite your good friends over for a glass of wine.
- Stretch your muscles.
- Take a hot yoga class.
- Do some mindful stretching.
- Create your workout routine.
- Use a massage foam roller.
- Listen to calming music (I discovered Jazz for me).
- Make a playlist of your favorite songs.
- Redecorate your bedroom and/or bathroom.
- Watch a sunset or sunrise.
- Do some gardening.
- Make a list of your favorite movies and shows.
- Go for a swim or dip in a pool or lake nearby.
- Put together a care package and give it to someone.
- Join a support group.
- Do something crafty.
- Build a puzzle.
- Draw or paint.
- Knit yourself a blanket.
- Buy some plants and put them in your home.
- Light a candle.
- Make a weekly self-care kit.
- Deep clean one room in your home.
- Clean out your junk drawer.
- Donate 5 things you no longer need or use.
- Have a picnic in the park or backyard.
- Go to the beach, lake, or river and relax.
- Put your bare feet in the grass.
- Dance around your living room.
- Make a wish list for yourself.
- Give yourself a mani-pedi.
- Do something that makes you laugh.
- Read inspirational self-care Saturday quotes or affirmations.
- Watch a motivational Ted Talk.
Mindful Self-Care Saturday Activities
Self-Care Saturday Ideas That Make Your Day Perfect
- Look through old photo albums.
- Make a scrapbook with your latest photos.
- Buy yourself flowers.
- Order takeout.
- Watch a video that shows you how to do something.
- Take yourself out on a date.
- Plan a vacation.
- Do some stargazing at night.
- Change your sheets.
Creative Self-Care Saturday Activities
- 100. Go to bed early
- 101. Order some sweets online and have them delivered to a friend.
- 102. Buy some postcards and send them to family members.
- 103. Set a monthly goal (learn how to set goals and stick to them).
- 104. Find out what your biggest self-care barrier is (and how to overcome it).
- 105. Create a self-love routine.
- 106. Create a new morning routine.
- 107. Create a new evening routine.
- 108. Collect some leaves or flowers from outside.
- 109. Plan to visit a family member (or friend) you haven’t seen in a while.
- 110. Re-organize your finances (yes, this topic falls under self-care too!).
- 111. Set up a savings plan (check out the 8 areas of self-care).
- 112. Get a coffee from a local shop.
- 113. Be a tourist in your own town.
- 114. Clean out your car.
- 115. Do a crossword.
- 116. Take a YouTube class in Salsa dancing.
- 117. Go to the library.
- 118. Watch a play at the theater.
- 119. Call a friend or family member.
- 120. Paint your nails.
- 121. Join a Meetup group.
Why Is Self-Care Important?
No matter what anyone else tells you, self-care is important for all aspects of our health – physical, emotional, and mental (check out the 8 areas of self-care here).
Do you know the benefits of self-care? They are numerous!
8 Benefits Of Self-Care
- reduce anxiety and depression;
- boost your immune system;
- promote better sleep;
- improve your cognitive function;
- increase self-awareness;
- increase productivity;
- improve relationships with family and friends;
- and give you time to reset physically, mentally, and emotionally.
So, no matter what anyone says, self-care deserves a place in your life!
Unfortunately, self-care is often associated with materialistic ways of treating oneself, such as shopping for new clothes or getting a massage. But self-care is so much more than that.
That’s why I want to take this opportunity to debunk some common myths I hear about self-care that grind my gears!
Debunking Common Self-Care Myths
Myth #1 – Self-Care Means You’re Selfish Or Lazy
Sadly, some people genuinely believe that self-care means you’re selfish or lazy. But I don’t want you to even waste your time thinking about this myth – because it’s simply not true!
Self-care isn’t about being selfish or lazy but instead taking some much-needed time and energy to look after yourself.
I feel like this anecdote is over-used, but it speaks to the importance of self-care:
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
By practicing self-care, you show respect for yourself and do things that will make you a better partner, parent, friend, daughter, employee, entrepreneur, etc.(Learn how to rediscover yourself after motherhood).
Myth #2 – You Have To ‘Earn’ Time For Self-Care
Do you believe you must always be productive to ‘earn’ time for self-care? If so, I’m here to tell you that’s not true.
Taking a break from our busy lives can be challenging, but self-care is essential for mental health and well-being. So why wait until you’ve done enough chores or work tasks to ‘earn’ some time for yourself?
Taking care of ourselves should be a priority, and it shouldn’t have to come with the caveat of ‘earning’ it.
Myth #3 – Self-Care Has To Be Expensive
This is another myth that I hear frequently, and I get it for people who don’t know what activities fall under the self-care category!
Many people associate self-care days with the expensive self-care treatments you would enjoy in a spa.
But self-care can be free or low-cost, like walking in nature or having a relaxing bath with essential oils. There are plenty of ways to practice self-care without breaking the bank!
Another favorite of mine is mindful journaling. Here are some of my blog posts to help you get into journaling:
- 81 journaling prompts for beginners
- 50+ healing self love journal prompts
- 105 journal prompts for personal growth & self-improvement
Myth #4 – You Can Only Practice Self Care On Sundays
What is the best day of the week for self-care? Is it self-care Saturday or self-care Sunday?
Another myth I always hear is that you can only practice self-care on Sundays. Sure, some people prefer to do their self-care on Sundays. But there are no rules when it comes to self-care!
You can do it on a Saturday. You can do it on a Tuesday. Or you could do it one evening every week if you really need to recharge.
There’s room for self-care any day of the week. It’s all about what works best for you!
One thing I like about self-care on Saturdays is that it sets me up to relax on Sundays.
- If I am spending time with family or friends, this allows me to be even more present with them than I would be on a Saturday when I’m exhausted from the week.
- Or, if I need an extra self-care day to recharge, I have time to do that!
Don’t worry – I share more tips on making it a self-care weekend below if you need the extra time!
Myth #5 – Self-Care Is A Luxury, Not a Necessity
The final myth I often hear is that self-care isn’t a necessity but a luxury. But, as we discussed above, self-care is essential for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
It’s not just about massages or spa days (although those are great, too!).
- It’s about physically caring for yourself by eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep.
- It’s about caring for your emotional health by setting boundaries and saying no to things you don’t want to do.
- And it’s about taking care of your mental well-being by finding time for yourself, reflecting on what’s going on in your life, and practicing mindfulness.
Those things are not a luxury – they are indispensable!
Sorry, not sorry for taking time for self-care!
How To Do A Saturday Self-Care Day
I’m sure by now I’ve convinced you to make self-care a priority, right? But now you might ask yourself, “What does self-care look like on a Saturday?”
Well, that’s the beauty of it. Self-care looks different for everyone!
For some, it might be spending an entire day dedicated to self-care. For others, it might be dedicating an evening. The key is to find activities that make you feel relaxed and fulfilled and decide when to do them.
With that said, I have one tip for everyone doing a Saturday self-care day.
Start first thing Saturday morning!
Now, this tip doesn’t mean doing your self-care activities first thing Saturday morning. (Unless you want to!) Instead, it’s about waking up and setting an intention right from the start of how you will make time for self-care that day and what activities you’ll do.
By getting intentional like this, you can ensure you don’t forget about self-care throughout the day, and it will be much easier to stick with it!
I hope these ideas help you start your self-care Saturday and make it a regular routine.
How Do You Indulge In Self-Care On A Weekend?
Okay, great. But what if you’re feeling extra exhausted? Then why not turn your self-care Saturday into a whole self-care weekend?
Truthfully, nothing energizes you for the week ahead, like an entire self-care weekend at home!
Especially if you’re very intentional about what activities you will do each day.
Here are some ideas for making it happen.
5 Self-Care Weekend Ideas
Tip #1 – Plan What Activities You’ll Do Each Day
Listen, I love spontaneity as much as the next person, but if you want to maximize your self-care weekend, I suggest planning what activities you’ll do each day.
This is especially true if you need help figuring out where to start with this whole self-care thing.
And since you have the list of 121 ideas above, planning this out should be a snap.
If you want to steal my strategy, I usually do one day of tasks to help me prepare for the week ahead and reset my space. Then, on the second day, I do activities that are just fun.
That way, I will have a productive and enjoyable weekend!
For the near future, why not organize a self-care weekend getaway with a loved one?
Tip #2 – Take Breaks
When scheduling your weekend of self-care, be sure to take breaks in between activities. Even if you only have two days off, try to make the most of them by taking those necessary pauses.
If you’re feeling extra tired, schedule a nap between activities. Or take a break and make yourself your favorite cup of tea.
Another great way to take breaks is by turning on some background music or reading for a few minutes during those moments of stillness.
Tip #3 – Invite Friends To Join
Self-care weekends don’t have to be solitary! Do some self care night ideas with friends and let them join in on the fun.
Share some of your weekend self-care activity ideas with them and let everyone pick something for the group to do.
It’ll be an excellent way to check in, catch up, and practice self-care together.
Tip #4 – Have Everything You Need Ready
To make your self-care weekend even more enjoyable, prepare everything beforehand.
For example, if you’re doing a spa night at home, have all the supplies handy. Or, if you’re engaging in crafty activities, ensure you have the necessary materials set up and available.
Yes, doing this requires some planning and preparation. But trust me; you’ll be grateful for having all the supplies ready in advance.
Tip #5 – Make It A Tradition
If you struggle to make time for self-care, make it a tradition that you do it once every couple of months, alone or with friends. While we often think of the weekend as one of our busiest times, it can also be a great time to slow down and practice self-care.
And who knows? Regularly taking time for yourself could be all you need to start feeling much more energized and refreshed!
Are You Ready For A Self-Care Saturday?
Or even a self-care weekend!
Either way, I hope this blog post has inspired you to take some time for yourself and practice some self-care. You deserve it!
And if you notice yourself hesitating still, go back to the section where I spoke about some self-care myths and see if any of these resonate with you. If they do, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do the work to overcome these limiting beliefs or blocks.
Remember: self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary!
Also check out these 100 self-care ideas for more inspiration.
Good luck and happy self-care Saturday (or weekend)!
About The Author Of Self-Care Saturday
Saskia is a mom, blogger, and freelance writer. She loves sharing tips on self-care, personal growth, and productivity & organization. Find out more about her or get in touch with her here.