May Self-Care Activities

I don’t know about you, but whenever May rolls around my mind immediately drifts to barbeques, flowers, and spending time outdoors. Self-care is seasonal. And shifts and changes in daily routines and rituals often require different self-care strategies. Being intentional with your self-care practices will help you get the biggest return for your efforts.

In this article, you’ll explore several May self-care activities to help you establish some new routines in the month ahead.

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May Self-Care

Here are 8 May self-care activities to explore this month:

1. Bring Flowers Indoors

Flower bouquets are a fun way to spruce up just about any indoor space. The vibrant shapes, colors, and scents of flowers can easily boost the energy of the room. Think about where you spend the most time and infuse those sacred spaces with flowers or plants. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden of your own you can source them there, but you can search for local florists or farmers’ markets as well. 

2. Prioritize Water

If the nice weather has inspired you to spend more time outdoors, be sure you’re getting enough fluid. Staying hydrated helps your body process nutrients and eliminate wastes, and it also has a direct impact on your cognition and mood. If you have trouble remembering to drink enough water, simply fill a reusable water bottle each morning so you have a visual reminder.

3. Eat More Salad

Salads are a great way to increase your intake of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and they can easily be incorporated into almost any meal. Crisp lettuce greens are cooling on hot days, and they’re packed full of beneficial phytonutrients. Be sure to choose a variety of different types of salad greens to ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients. Here are some simple salad ingredient combinations:

• Romaine lettuce, sliced strawberries, feta cheese
• Chicken, avocado, boiled egg whites
• Fresh basil, watermelon cubes, feta cheese
• Steak, fresh corn, tomatoes, cheddar cheese

4. Be Active in Nature

According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, most adults need at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity each day. Take advantage of the mild, early-summer temperatures and plan to spend more time outside walking, hiking, and cycling. Outdoor activities also help ensure your body gets enough sun exposure to make adequate amounts of Vitamin D. And it doesn’t take much. Just 20 minutes of sunshine can saturate your Vitamin D levels, but don’t forget to apply sunscreen if you’ll be spending more time in the sun. 

5. Update Your Emergency Menu

Summer storms are known to bring power outages to many regions across the US. That’s why having an emergency menu for your family is critical. Since many food staples have short lifespans, it’s a good idea to check the expiration dates of your supplies at least a couple times each year. 

6. Replace Your Pillow

If you aren’t getting enough high-quality sleep on a routine basis, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s going on. Assessing your sleeping environment, such as the condition of your pillow and mattress, may offer clues about why you aren’t getting the rest you need. In some cases, you may be able to try tossing your pillow into washer to plump it up, but if that doesn’t work it might be time to replace it. Contour pillows can relieve pressure and support your neck while you sleep. (I’ve used this pillow for over a year now.)

7. Shop Your Local Farmers’ Market

I love, love, love farmers markets. The produce is super fresh, and it feels great to support local growers. Hand-selecting my own produce also motivates me to eat well throughout the week. If you haven’t yet discovered a market in your area, check your city’s website to find out where and when your local farmer’s market is open for the season. 

8. Change Up Your Breakfast Routine

If you’re bored with the same old breakfast menu you’ve been eating for months, it might be time to make some changes. Consider adding some new nutrient-dense breakfast menus to your rotation:

• Eggs 
• Smoothies 
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Peanut butter toast/waffle
• Cottage cheese
• Fresh fruit

Create Your May Self-Care List

Think about the month ahead and carve out a few minutes to schedule your May self-care activities in advance.

Which May self-care activities will you explore this month? Share in the comments below.

Already planning for next month? Explore these June Self-Care Activities.

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.