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Happy February Cornell Cooperative Extension!
We’re deep in the heart of winter this February, and while we celebrate the significance of Black History Month, we also want to remind you to take a moment for self-care. February is often associated with hearts, sweet treats, gifts, and—most importantly—love. We show love to our family, friends, pets, and those who make our lives special, but we often forget to extend that same care to ourselves.
This month, we’re sharing simple self-care activities that you can enjoy on your own or with your loved ones. Take a little time to recharge—you deserve it!
February Self-Care Challenge: Show Yourself Some Love
February brings to mind hearts, sweet treats, thoughtful gifts, and—most importantly—love. We often express love to family, friends, pets, and those who enrich our lives, but there's one person we often forget to care for—ourselves!
This month, we invite you to practice self-care with simple activities you can do alone or with loved ones. Choose one, try a few, or challenge yourself to complete them all!
Day 1 – Hydrate
Aim for eight glasses of water today. Need some extra flavor? Add lemon, mint, or fruit for a refreshing twist!
Day 2 – Get Moving
Fit in at least 10 minutes of movement. Take a short walk, dance for five minutes twice a day, do 10 squats four times throughout the day, or call a friend and chat while strolling around the house.
Day 3 – Practice Mindfulness
Take a few moments to slow down and focus on your breath. Find a quiet space (even if it’s just the bathroom), close your eyes, and take 10 deep breaths. Before bed, try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for four seconds, hold for seven, and exhale for eight. Repeat three to four times.
Day 4 – Prioritize Sleep
Strive for 7-9 hours of rest. If that feels challenging, start by going to bed 15 minutes earlier every few nights. To ease stress before sleep, jot down your thoughts in a journal, then set it aside—reminding yourself that tomorrow is another day.
Day 5 – Eat Healthier
Incorporate nutritious foods into your meals. Add fruit to your cereal, include veggie sticks with lunch, or sneak a leafy green (like spinach, lettuce, or broccoli) into dinner once or twice a week.
Day 6 – Unplug from Social Media
Give yourself a break by reducing social media time by 10-15 minutes each day. Move your phone out of the room for 30 minutes, replace scrolling with a favorite activity, or charge your phone outside the bedroom overnight.
Take time throughout the month to explore these self-care habits. If one (or more!) resonates with you, consider making it part of your daily routine. There’s no pressure to be perfect—what matters most is taking moments to recharge, so you can continue to show up for yourself and others with energy and care.
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