Here are at least 101 ways to nurture yourself and reduce stress:
- Laugh out loud
- Listen to music
- Fly a kite
- Stretch
- Be thankful
- Read for fun
- Daydream
- Take a nap
- Go rock climbing
- Eat organic food
- Canoe
- Remember all the good things about yourself
- Create a collage representing "The Real Me"
- Write a poem
- Reward yourself
- Reflect on your successes
- Practice relaxation exercises
- Learn yoga
- Sing, draw, dance, sculpt - express yourself!
- Forgive yourself or someone else
- Walk in the Arboretum
- Plan a vacation
- Spin the Cube
- Enjoy a long bubble bath
- Get or give a massage
- Go to a sporting event
- Ice skate at Yost Ice Arena
- See the dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum
- Climb the Bell Tower for a bird's eye view of Ann Arbor
- Fingerpaint
- Rake a pile of leaves and jump in
- Play cards
- Enjoy a free concert at the School of Music
- Plant flowers
- Take a deep breath
- Work a crossword puzzle
- Play hide-and-seek
- Tell someone you appreciate them
- Turn off your phone
- Bake goodies and share them with friends
- Volunteer to be a Big Brother or Sister
- Believe in yourself
- Try on clothes in a favorite store
- Look for 4-leaf clovers
- Tell yourself the loving words you want to hear
- Watch cartoons
- Reflect on your values
- Go camping
- Soak in a hot tub
- Go bowling
- Play with toys
- Paint your face blue and yellow
- Watch your favorite TV show
- Keep a journal
- Paint "The Rock"
- Paint a house
- Call a friend
- People-watch
- Go on a picnic
- Become a volunteer
- Have a pillow fight
- Visit the Farmer's Market
- Play in the snow
- Blow bubbles
- Walk a dog
- Watch the marching band practice at Elbel Field
- Dance in the rain
- Visit a favorite place
- Walk through the Law Quad
- Visit a zoo or amusement park
- Rollerblade
- Pamper yourself
- Develop a hobby
- Rent a costume
- Treat yourself to ice cream
- Watch a sunset
- Visit a sick friend
- Join an IM team
- Make a nutritious meal
- Plan play time
- Smile at a stranger
- Listen to the birds
- Browse through funny cards
- Be optimistic
- Go sledding
- Visit an elderly person
- Carve a pumpkin
- Climb a tree
- Stargaze
- Play with a baby
- Jump in a mud puddle
- Play on a swingset
- Sit outside on a sunny day
- Create your own list of nurturing activities
- Write a letter
- Thank your mail carrier
- Donate blood
- Meditate
- Go swimming
- Test drive a car
- Rearrange your room
Want more ideas?
See Fun and Cheap Things to Do in Ann Arbor.
