Welcome to a peek into my personal self-care routine! I believe in sharing what brings joy and calm to my life, in hopes that it might inspire or benefit you in some way. Here are a couple of my favorite self-care activities.
Audiobooks & Puzzles: A Perfect Pair
For some much-needed "me time," I love diving into audiobooks while working on a puzzle. The genre of audiobooks I like to listen to is mysteries. I've been on a James Patterson kick for the last 4-ish years. Nothing like relaxing with a little mystery and mayhem! Audiobooks are a fantastic way to enjoy stories and learn new things, all while doing another relaxing activity. Did you know that you can access free audiobooks through your local library if you have a library card? Many libraries use apps like Libby, Cloud Library, and Hoopla to provide their digital collections. Check with your library to see which app they use and start exploring a world of literature!
Where to Put That Puzzle?
One of the trickier parts of puzzle-solving is figuring out where to put the puzzle when you're not working on it. My solution? A puzzle board! It’s super convenient and portable, making it easier to move around or put away your project. [Here's a link to one similar to the one I use. They no longer sell the exact one I have. https://a.co/d/0foljVIZ ] I don't get compensated for sharing this, just passing along what works for me!
Admittedly, I prefer puzzles with a little extra guidance—like those with letters on the back to help guide the assembly. Self-care is about instant satisfaction, and quite frankly, who wants to work too hard in their downtime? [Here's a link to these handy puzzles https://a.co/d/0diu9nlr] Again, no compensation, just sharing the love for easier puzzles!
Puzzles with a Twist: Easier Is Better!
Another favorite self-care activity is indulging in adult coloring books, also known as mandala coloring books, while listening to audiobooks—just like when I do puzzles. I find coloring to be incredibly soothing, especially with gel pens. Being a texture person, I appreciate how soft and comforting it feels using them. [Here’s a link to the gel pens I have https://a.co/d/0iQZomOS] and [here’s a couple links to the type of adult coloring books I enjoy https://a.co/d/05CQCsCK and https://a.co/d/04szGWBI and https://a.co/d/097OPqht]. As always, I don’t get paid for these links; I simply love sharing what works for me!
Adult Coloring Books & Gel Pens
Who doesn't smile at the sight of cute little animals? One of my favorite ways to lift my spirits is by watching YouTube videos of animals. There are countless live channels featuring everything from pandas to eagles. If you're looking for an instant pick-me-up, I highly recommend checking out some of these adorable animal channels. One of my personal favorites is watching pandas; they never fail to put a smile on my face. Here are a few YouTube channels with cute cuddly animals that will brighten your day when you need it most.
Animal Videos on YouTube: Instant Smiles Guaranteed
Live Panda Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/SUXPnIEpbn4?si=TA4LX_phSF9vKUxe
Live Sea Otter Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/9mg9PoFEX2U?si=_fXgUmav8V0NUoMz
Live Wildlife Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/tKHeSirWQd4?si=5kUvGhPNlrVbqU4q
Red Panda’s: https://youtu.be/UBcVbAFntQo?si=Ogo95eqmPm9RLy_E