Article Highlights
This article walks through each of the ten self-care activities in turn, shows how to combine three of them into a realistic self-care plan you'll actually keep, and explains the formal side of self-care: assistance with self-care activities under the NDIS and personal care through Support at Home. It closes with answers to the most common questions about self-care routines, the self-care wheel and daily activity guidelines for over 65s.Taking care of yourself doesn't have to mean big changes or expensive routines. The most effective self-care activities are small, daily habits that protect your health, lift your mood and help you keep living well in the place you call home.
For older Australians and people living with disability, self-care carries extra weight. Everyday habits like moving regularly, eating well and staying connected are directly linked to staying independent at home for longer. And when some of those tasks become harder, self-care also means something many people overlook: knowing when to accept a helping hand.
Why small habits matter
National aged care data shows that when older people take an active role in their own daily routines, the most common improvements are better emotional wellbeing, increased confidence and greater social engagement. Read more in our guide to wellness and reablement in home care.
What does it mean to take care of yourself?
The World Health Organization describes self-care as the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote their own health and cope with illness, with or without the support of a health worker. In plain terms: it's everything you do, day to day, to look after your body and mind.
Self-care activities are usually grouped into four areas, and a good routine touches all of them:
- Physical self-care: movement, sleep, nutrition and staying on top of health checks
- Emotional self-care: habits that steady your mood and help you manage stress
- Mental self-care: keeping your mind curious, engaged and stimulated
- Social self-care: nurturing the relationships that keep you connected
The ten easy self-care tips below cover all four areas. You don't need to do them all. Pick two or three that feel achievable and build from there.
10 simple self-care activities you can do at home
Physical self-care
Start the day with a gentle routine
A consistent morning rhythm, such as opening the curtains, washing, dressing and eating breakfast at a similar time, anchors the whole day. Routine is one of the most underrated self-care strategies, especially after illness or a hospital stay.
Physical self-care
Move a little every day
You don't need a gym. A walk to the letterbox, gentle stretching or a few sit-to-stand repetitions from a sturdy chair all count. Regular movement supports balance, strength and mood. Find ideas in our guide to the best exercises for over 65s.
Physical self-care
Eat regularly and stay hydrated
Appetite and thirst signals often weaken with age, so don't wait until you feel hungry or thirsty. Keep a water glass within reach, aim for regular meals and make food social where you can. A shared meal is self-care twice over.
Physical self-care
Protect your sleep with a wind-down ritual
Good sleep supports memory, balance and emotional resilience. Keep a consistent bedtime, dim the lights an hour before bed and swap screens for a book, gentle music or a warm drink.
Emotional self-care
Get outside once a day
Natural light helps regulate sleep and mood. Sit in the garden with a cuppa, tend a pot plant on the balcony or simply stand in the morning sun. Gardening is a favourite for a reason: our article on growing sunflowers at home shows how simple it can be.
Emotional self-care
Practise one calming habit
Slow breathing, listening to favourite music, prayer or writing down three good things from the day. It doesn't matter which one you choose. What matters is doing it regularly, so it's there for you on harder days.
Mental self-care
Keep your mind engaged
Crosswords, reading, learning a new recipe, following a hobby or listening to podcasts all keep the brain active. Choose things you genuinely enjoy, because enjoyment is what makes the habit stick.
Social self-care
Reach out to one person
A phone call, a message or a chat over the fence. Social connection is strongly linked to both physical and emotional health, and it works best as a daily habit rather than an occasional event. For more ideas, see how to become more socially active as you age.
Physical self-care
Stay on top of health checks
Book regular GP visits, keep vision and hearing checks up to date and ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications once a year. These quiet habits prevent small issues from becoming big ones, including falls at home.
The one most people skip
Ask for help before you need it
Accepting support with the tasks that have become difficult is not giving up your independence. It protects it. Getting help early with showering, meals or housework leaves you more energy for the parts of life you love.
How to turn these ideas into a simple self-care plan
A self-care plan is just a short list of the habits you want to keep, written down so they actually happen. Keep it realistic:
- Choose three activities from the list above, ideally from different areas
- Attach each one to a moment in your day, like a walk after breakfast or a phone call after lunch
- Write it down and put it somewhere visible, like the fridge door
- Review it monthly and swap anything that isn't working for something you enjoy more
If you receive support at home, share your self-care plan with your care team. It can be built into your personalised care plan so the people supporting you help you do these things, rather than doing everything for you.
For NDIS participants
Assistance with self-care activities under the NDIS
In the NDIS, self-care has a formal meaning too. Assistance with self-care activities is a funded support that helps with daily personal tasks such as showering, dressing, grooming and eating, delivered in a way that builds your skills and independence. Just Better Care provides this support through NDIS in-home disability support tailored to your goals.
For older Australians
Personal care through Support at Home
If daily routines like bathing, dressing or preparing meals are becoming harder, personal care at home can be arranged through the Support at Home program or privately. The right support keeps you doing what you can, with respectful help for the rest. Read how we support personal care at home.
A note for family and carers
If you spend much of your time caring for someone else, your own wellbeing matters just as much. Our guide on self-care for people who support others is a good place to start.
Taking Care of Yourself FAQ
What are examples of self-care activities?
Self-care activities include gentle daily movement, regular meals and hydration, a consistent sleep routine, time outdoors, calming habits like slow breathing or gratitude, hobbies that engage the mind, and regular contact with friends and family. Health checks and accepting practical support at home also count as self-care.
What is assistance with self-care activities in the NDIS?
It's a funded NDIS support that provides help with personal daily tasks such as showering, dressing, toileting, grooming and eating. The aim is to support you with the parts you find difficult while building your skills and independence wherever possible.
How do I start a self-care routine if I have low energy?
Start with one small habit attached to something you already do, such as drinking a glass of water when you wake up or sitting outside after lunch. Small and consistent beats big and occasional. If low energy or low mood persists, talk to your GP.
What are the four types of self-care?
Self-care is usually grouped into physical, emotional, mental and social self-care. Health professionals sometimes map these on a self-care wheel to check whether a routine is balanced. A good week touches all four: movement and sleep, habits that steady your mood, activities that engage your mind, and regular contact with other people.
How much physical activity do older adults need each day?
Australian guidelines recommend adults over 65 aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days, preferably every day. NSW Health suggests building this into daily life at home through strength and balance exercises, tai chi, dancing, gardening, or even housework like cleaning and cooking. If you are returning to exercise after illness, check with your GP first.
What are easy ways to stay active and healthy at home?
NSW Health recommends sticking to an active daily routine: around 30 minutes of movement, a range of healthy foods including vegetables, wholegrains and lean proteins, plenty of water through the day, and keeping the mind engaged with reading, puzzles, online learning or a new hobby. Frozen and canned fruit and vegetables count too, which makes healthy eating easier if getting to the shops is difficult.
How can I look after my wellbeing if I live alone?
Regular connection is one of the most protective health habits. Check in with family, friends and neighbours by phone, try video calls, or chat over the fence. Keeping contact small and daily works better than waiting for occasions. If daily tasks are draining the energy you'd rather spend on people and hobbies, that's a sign to explore support at home.
Can NDIS funding be used for health and wellbeing activities?
Yes. Improved Health and Wellbeing is a Capacity Building support category in the NDIS. It can fund supports linked to your disability and goals, such as a dietitian to build a healthier meal plan or exercise support to improve mobility. Separately, assistance with self-care activities funds help with daily personal tasks such as showering, dressing and eating. Your NDIS provider can help you understand what is reasonable and necessary under your plan.
Is accepting help at home still self-care?
Yes, and clinicians would argue it's the most important kind. Wellness and reablement approaches show that the goal of support is to work alongside you, not take over. Getting help with the tasks that have become unsafe or exhausting preserves your energy and independence for everything else.
Support that helps you take care of yourself
From personal care and daily routines to companionship and community connection, Just Better Care team members support older Australians and people living with disability to live well at home. Contact your local Just Better Care office to talk about support built around your goals.
Find your local Just Better Care office
