August is a busy back-to-school month for many. But even if you’re not anticipating any major changes to your day-to-day routine, the new month is an opportunity to change up your self-care rituals. Learn how these August self-care activities can help you realign your priorities and keep self-care at the top of your to-do list.
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August Self-Care
Here are 10 August self-care activities to explore this month:
1. Organize Something
Clutter has been linked to increased emotional exhaustion and stress, while organized spaces are calming to the mind. Being able to find what you need when you need it can make life feel a whole lot easier. That’s why finding an organizing system that works well for you is so important. If you struggle with staying organized, start with one small area of your home (or office) and expand out from there. If your efforts don’t bring about the results you were hoping for, you can also hire a professional organizer to help you map out a strategy to clear the clutter.
2. Review Your Credit Score
Checking your credit score regularly can help you keep tabs on your financial well-being. Each year, Americans can get a free credit report and review their credit score. (Just make sure you visit the official .gov website.) Review your report carefully to make sure all of the accounts listed are ones you’ve actually opened. If you haven’t already done so this year, make a note in your Lifestyle Design Planner to review your credit report now and at least once a year.
3. Do a Breast Self-Exam
If a monthly breast self-exam (BSE) isn’t already in your self-care rotation, consider adding it now. This goes for everyone, regardless of your sex assigned at birth. While it’s rare for breast cancer to occur in men, the risk is still about 1 in 833. If you’re not sure how to conduct the exam, follow the 5-step BSE process outlined on the breastancer.org website.
4. Schedule a Massage
Massage can be an effective self-care strategy for managing low back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and many other medical conditions. There are many different types of massage, including Swedish, deep tissue, and hot stone Some styles focus on relieving stress, while others are effective at releasing tension. Massage can stimulate blood circulation, release muscle tightness, and even improve sleep. A word of caution, though: massage isn’t for everyone. Consult with your doctor first if you have a bleeding disorder, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a broken bone or osteoporosis, low platelets, or any other serious medical condition.
5. Create a New Music Playlist
Music can be calming, energizing, motivational, and so much more. If you’re looking for a fun August self-care activity, review your music collection and update your playlists for each of your different activities—workouts at the gym, walks in nature, or the ride home after work.
6. Designate a Digital Detox Day
Digital devices have made life easier in many ways, but they can also be a big source of stress. By giving yourself a break from the distractions of digital devices periodically, you’ll give your body a chance to recover. Schedule a social media-free day by turning off social media notifications, delaying responses to non-urgent texts, and resisting the urge to scroll aimlessly through news feeds. Instead, turn off your phone and tune in to real-life connections. The break might give you a chance to nurture the important relationships in your life.
7. Download a New Fitness App
Are you bored with your workouts? Download a new fitness app to boost motivation and accountability. Here are some popular ones:
- Fitbit
- C25k
- Freeletics
- Map My Run
- Strava
- Fitness Buddy
- MyFitnessPal
8. Find New Recipes
Need some new ideas for healthy family meals? With one of the best search engines around, Pinterest is an great place to find new recipes. If you’re a visual person, the pins are much easier to scan than a list of ingredients. And if all else fails, you can always revive some of the old tried-and-true favorites from your recipe box.
9. Plan a Trip
With just a few months left in the year, make sure you’ve nailed down the final dates to use your vacation time. This is especially important if your vacation time doesn’t roll over into the next year. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a staycation, or a travel destination on your bucket list, take time to recharge and tend to your well-being.
10. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment
If you haven’t yet scheduled your annual lab work and preventive health visits, be sure to get them scheduled soon. Physician calendars tend to get booked up toward the end of year, and many health plan benefits and FSA accounts don’t roll over in to the next year.
Create Your August Self-Care List
Think about the month ahead and carve out a few minutes to schedule your August self-care activities in advance.
Which August self-care activities will you explore this month? Share in the comments below.
Already planning for next month? Explore these September Self-Care Activities or this list of over 300 self-care activity ideas.
Information on this website should not be interpreted as providing or replacing medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is intended for adults over the age of 18. LivingUpp is a participant in affiliate programs, which means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases on links to Amazon and other sites at no additional cost to you.