As the Easter holiday approaches, it’s the perfect time to focus on self-care and well-being. The Easter period is not only a time of celebration with family members but also an excellent way to prioritize your physical and mental health. Whether you celebrate it as a religious holiday or not, it is a time of hope and renewal. Usually by Easter, the snow has melted, the grass is greener, and brighter spring days are ahead.
I didn’t get to celebrate last Easter because I was too sick. I had just gotten out of the hospital a month before and was still barely walking on my own. So this year, I feel like I have to celebrate and make up for the last time. At the same time, I want to ensure that I pace myself and don’t get worn out too quickly. So, if you’re like me and have a million things to do, consider incorporating these 50 Easter self-care ideas into your routine to ensure you emerge from the long weekend feeling rejuvenated and ready to enjoy the spring season ahead.
Table of Contents
1. Create Your Own Easter Basket of Self-Care
Treat yourself to a personalized Easter basket filled with essential oils, face masks, and Hershey’s chocolate – the perfect gift for yourself. In my family, we fill our Easter baskets with everything we are going to eat on Easter – traditionally ham, cheese, bread, butter, horseradish, beets, carrots, and of course, chocolate. Little toys and activities are usually reserved for little kids’ baskets, but I love this idea for adults as well. We deserve some treats as well!
2. Easter Egg Hunt for Adults
Organize an Easter egg hunt with family members, making it a fun activity for everyone to enjoy during the Easter weekend. I love Easter egg hunts and do one pretty much every year. They’re great because they can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
3. Outdoor Games and Activities
Take advantage of the warmer weather by engaging in outdoor activities like an Easter egg toss or a game of frisbee in a nearby park. If it’s warm enough, spend the afternoon outside or just go for a short walk to absorb some of the sun we’ve been missing all winter to engage in some Easter self-care.
4. Healthy Eating Habits
Maintain a healthy diet during the holiday period by enjoying nutritious meals and steering clear of excessive chocolate eggs. This is the perfect time to stock up on fresh produce that is finally coming up.
At the same time, it’s ok to treat yourself every once in a while. Choose a few holiday treats to indulge in while maintaining a balanced diet. Due to my gastroparesis, I can’t really eat. Last Easter, I couldn’t eat anything. This year, I’m looking forward to having some of my favourite cheese, Easter bread, and chocolate to take part in some Easter self-care.
5. Stay Hydrated
Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your energy levels up and support overall health. You can also make special drinks that are primarily water-based, to go with the warmer weather, keep your hydration levels up, and celebrate the holiday. My go-to is pink lemonade.
6. Mindfulness Practices
Practice mindfulness by incorporating quiet moments and mindfulness practices into your daily routine for inner peace. While you can do this as an Easter self-care activity, it’s helpful to try and incorporate into your life year-round.
7. Social Connections
Use this long weekend to engage in some Easter self-care to strengthen social connections by spending quality time with family members and friends. Do a big egg hunt, share lunch, or just go for a walk with those close to you.
8. Unplug from Social Media
Take a break from social media to focus on the present moment and reduce your stress levels. It’s always nice to take a social media detox, and this weekend we have four days to truly disconnect and be more present with our loved ones.
9. Soothing Bath for Easter Self-Care
Indulge in a soothing bath using natural ingredients to relax your body and mind. I’ve actually only taken one bath since getting sick. Because I have a feeding tube, bathing and showering are a bit more complicated than normal. I took my first bath a few weeks ago, and now that I’m more comfortable with it, I can’t wait to take another one. I used to love baths because I found them so relaxing, so I’m excited to incorporate them more into my self-care routine. Now my biggest issue is finding the time to take one.
10. Read a Good Book
Escape into the chapters of a book, providing a creative activity that promotes mental well-being. The nice part about books is that everyone can get wrapped up into their own world. Give everyone a book and cuddle up so you all get time for a relaxing break.
11. Quality Time with Yourself
Set clear boundaries and allocate quiet time for self-reflection and relaxation to ensure you have enough time for some Easter self-care this weekend. I’m a very social person, but also need a lot of time to myself. I also get tired really easily, so cannot fathom going through a weekend full of social events without adequate time to relax by myself.
12. Positive Effects of Outdoor Activities
Engage in outdoor activities like gardening or hiking to experience the positive effects on your mental health. Even just going for a short walk around the block can be beneficial, especially if you haven’t been able to do so very much over the past few months.
I got sick in December, and it was so hard going outside all winter. I couldn’t zip up my winter jacket because I had so much pain at the site of my feeding tube. Once it started getting warmer out, things became so much easier. Even though I still got tired very easily and couldn’t go out for long periods, just being able to sit outside on a chair was so much nicer than feeling trapped inside.
13. Self-Care Jars
Create Easter self-care jars filled with positive affirmations, uplifting quotes, and small treats to boost your mood during difficult times. Use the new season to give yourself a bit of a reset and motivate yourself to accomplish your goals, no matter how big or small.
14. Face Masks and Skincare
Pamper yourself with a good skincare routine, including face masks and other Easter self-care practices.
15. Tea Time
If you’re a tea lover, savor a cup of your favorite tea to unwind and promote relaxation. I love tea, and am looking forward to getting a new herbal flavour for spring.
16. Easter Gift Baskets for Others
Share the Easter self-care by creating gift baskets for family members, filled with thoughtful items that promote well-being.
17. Exercise and Physical Activity
Incorporate physical activity into your routine to boost your energy levels and improve overall physical health. Even though it may be a busy long weekend, try and schedule some time in to maintain your normal routine.
18. Quality Sleep
Similar to keeping your exercise routine, ensure you get a good night’s sleep, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy mind and body. This is such an easy way to incorporate some Easter self-care activities.
19. Church Services
Consider attending Easter church services for a spiritual boost and a sense of community. Even if you’re not religious, many churches have different activities going on this weekend that anyone can attend, such as picnics, lunches, easter egg hunts, and other social events.
20. Take a Nap
I absolutely love taking naps, but usually feel guilty because I know I have a million other things to do. Permitting myself to take a guilt-free nap is my favourite luxury, and definitely on my list of Easter self-care activities to do this weekend.
21. Easter Health Goals
Set health goals for the Easter period, focusing on both physical and mental well-being. On top of just setting goals for this weekend, consider setting new goals for the rest of the spring season. What would you like to achieve over the next 3 months?
22. Sponge Baths
Incorporate sponge baths into your routine for a quick and refreshing way to take care of your physical health this weekend and throughout the spring season. As I said above, taking full-on baths can be difficult for people with feeding tubes and other disabilities or chronic illnesses. If you can’t take a real bath, consider setting aside some time to take a nice, long sponge-bath instead. You can still incorporate items like essential oils and face masks to get the full relaxing effect.
23. Creative Activities
Engage in creative activities, such as painting or crafting, to express yourself and promote mental well-being for some Easter self-care. If you’re not particularly creative, print off some free colouring pages instead.
24. Maintain a Healthy Routine
Establish and stick to a daily routine that supports your health goals, including a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
25. Aromatherapy for Relaxation
Use essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus to create a calming atmosphere and promote relaxation. This can set the ambiance for further Easter self-care activities. Here are some of the best essential oils for gastroparesis.
26. Nature Walks
Take a leisurely walk in a nearby park or nature reserve to connect with the outdoors and boost your mood. If you have the time and ability, consider spending the day driving out to a park with a nature trail to take advantage of the nicer weather. If that’s not possible, try a walk around your own neighbourhood. Where I live, the weather is very hit and miss around Easter. Some years it’s incredibly warm, and others there’s a snowstorm. Assuming it’s nice out, I hope to spend a lot of my weekend outside.
27. Journaling
Start a gratitude journal to reflect on the positive aspects of your life and maintain a positive outlook. Journaling and writing have been so helpful to me throughout my life and recovery and can be incorporated as a part of your Easter self-care or routine all year long.
28. Home Spa Day
Treat yourself to a DIY spa day with homemade face masks, body scrubs, and a soothing bath.
29. Healthy Easter Recipes
Explore and try out new, nutritious recipes that align with your health goals. Springtime brings about fresh produce, so why not check out a local market to see what they have in stock. Find a recipe that may become a new Easter tradition.
30. Connect with Loved Ones
Use technology to connect with family members who may be far away through video calls or virtual gatherings.
31. Attend a Virtual Workshop
Engage in a virtual workshop or class on a topic that interests you, promoting continuous learning and mental stimulation. There are a lot of Easter related classes, such as making Easter wreaths or flower bouquets.
32. Indoor Plant Care
Nurture your green thumb by caring for indoor plants, creating a peaceful and vibrant environment. While spring is coming, in many places, it’s not quite warm enough to spend too much time outside. As such, taking care of indoor plants is a perfect form of Easter self-care.
33. Healthy Easter Baking
Bake nutritious treats or experiment with healthier versions of traditional Easter recipes. Even though I can barely eat, I will be baking traditional Easter bread that my family eats every year. This way, you can take care of your physical and mental health through some Easter self-care, as baking can be a good stress reliever.
34. DIY Home Décor
Engage in a creative activity by crafting DIY Easter decorations to add a personal touch to your home.
35. Mindful Eating
Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, and paying attention to flavors and textures. The last year has been a crash course in mindful eating for me. There were days when I could literally only eat one cracker. As such, I learned to scout out new dishes and flavours, and really savour everything I could.
36. Mind-Body Exercises
Explore mind-body exercises like yoga or tai chi to enhance both physical and mental well-being.
37. Easter Playlist
Create a playlist of your favorite uplifting and calming tunes to enhance your mood. This can be your new spring playlist!
38. Random Acts of Kindness
Spread joy by performing random acts of kindness, whether it’s sending a thoughtful message or helping someone in need.
39. Expressive Writing
Write down your thoughts and feelings, allowing for emotional expression and release. I find journalling so helpful and relaxing when I am going through stressful periods in my life.
40. Set Personal Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries in your daily life to manage stress levels and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
41. Laughter Therapy
Watch a comedy show, stand-up special, or engage in activities that make you laugh for a natural mood booster.
42. Outdoor Yoga or Pilates
Take your yoga or pilates practice outdoors for a refreshing change of scenery. Especially if you live somewhere where it’s been freezing cold for the last 6 months.
43. Learn a New Skill
Use the Easter break to pick up a new hobby or skill, stimulating your mind and promoting personal growth.
44. Easter Picnic
Plan a picnic with healthy snacks in a nearby park, combining the joy of outdoor activities with mindful eating.
45. Visualization Exercises
Practice visualization techniques to envision positive outcomes and reduce anxiety. While this can be useful over the long weekend, consider making this one of your spring goals!
46. Easter Sunset Meditation
Find a serene outdoor spot to witness the beauty of an Easter sunset. Engage in a short meditation, focusing on the colors and peacefulness of the moment to center yourself.
47. Letter to Your Future Self
Take some time to write a letter to your future self, expressing your aspirations, goals, and self-love. Seal it in an envelope and save it for reflection in the coming months.
48. Scented Easter Candles
Light scented candles with fragrances reminiscent of the season, such as floral or fruity scents, to create a cozy and aromatic atmosphere at home, perfectly setting the mood for some Easter self-care.
49. Easter Mindful Walking
Instead of a brisk walk, try mindful walking. Pay attention to each step, the sensation of your feet touching the ground, and the sounds around you. This can be a meditative experience that enhances your connection with the present moment.
50. Holiday Reflection
Take some time to reflect on the good things in your life and express gratitude, recognizing the positive impact this can have on your mental health.
Remember, self-care is an ongoing process, and incorporating these Easter self-care ideas into your routine can go a long way in helping you become the best version of yourself. Happy Easter!