The Lazy Girl Self-Care Guide: 20 Low-Effort Ideas That Actually Work

Ever feel so drained that brushing your teeth feels like climbing Everest? 

 

This is common.

 

Sometimes you’re simply too exhausted to read, too overstimulated to meditate, and *way* too tired to soak in a bubble bath.

 

When even journaling feels impossible and cooking for yourself sounds like too much work, it’s time for lazy self-care – the low-effort kind that still counts.

 

Luckily, lazy self-care is valid self-care.

 

Making sure your basic (and not-so-basic) needs are met is important, but it doesn’t have to be fancy.

 

It’s not about productivity, perfect aesthetics, or ticking *all* the boxes.

 

Lazy girl self-care is about doing the bare minimum that your body or brain needs in the moment and ensuring that you’re good.

 

 

 

What *Exactly* Is Lazy Self-Care?

The Quick Definition:

 

Lazy self-care = low-effort, high-comfort actions for when your energy is MIA.

 

In other words, these are actions that: 

 

• Don’t require a ton of motivation, movement, or mental energy.
• Can be done in bed, on the couch, or from your phone.
• Count even if it doesn’t look like the textbook *Instagram self-care*.

 

 

Why Is Lazy Self-Care Helpful?

Quick temperature check:

 

Do you neglect self-care because it just seems too hard?

 

Have you ever felt so drained that taking care of yourself feels like just another impossible item on your to-do list?

 

Do you put anything and *everything* before yourself?

 

If you answered “yes” to these questions, you may be completely unaware of lazy self-care ideas, but they’re ultimately deeply beneficial.

 

• Most of us don’t have the energy, executive function, or emotional bandwidth to go full-out with our self-care routines.
• Giving yourself permission to do the absolute minimum without guilt is sometimes the most powerful self-care of all.
• Effortless self-care makes *actually* taking care of yourself much lower pressure and easier to accomplish.

 

 

Lazy Girl Self-Care Ideas by Mood & Energy Level

 

 

When You’re Mentally Tapped Out

When your brain is firing on no cylinders, these lazy self-care ideas can help you to feel calmer and cooler than you ever thought possible. 

 

Try these out when your attention span is gone and you want to feel grounded, quickly.

 

Why these tips work: These solutions reduce cognitive demand and create comfort while being completely passive.

 

1. Listen to comforting background noise

Have you ever paid attention to those soothing sounds playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube? 

 

If not, now’s the time to try it out. Comforting background noise like rain sounds, brown (or nearly any color) noise, soft music, or even your favorite podcast on low in the background can be majorly calming and relaxing when your brain is foggy.

 

 

2. Scroll through old photos that make you happy

Nostalgia is an underrated but powerful mood booster.

 

Try scrolling through old photos that make you smile or laugh as a way to calm your brain and give it a boost.

 

Seeing the happy faces of your closest friends and family is a surefire way to activate happiness chemicals when you need it!

 

3. Put on a soft hoodie or robe

It’s underrated, but the instant coziness that you can experience from putting on a soft hoodie or robe is *elite*.

 

The tactile feeling of being enveloped by softness and the light pressure that the fabric provides can give you just the right amount of comfort and relaxation without needing to fix anything else.

 

 

4. Light a candle or plug in a diffuser

A common, but seriously effective way of calming a mentally tapped mind is letting your sense of smell take over.

 

Sparking up your favorite candle or plugging in a diffuser that uses pleasant-smelling oils can lift your spirits without having to make major changes to your environment.

 

 

5. Lie under a weighted blanket

Do you ever want a hug without having to enlist a person? A weighted blanket is the solution.

 

A good weighted blanket can be the perfect way to unwind and relax after a mentally exhausting day by doing literally nothing other than resting.

 

 

 

When You’re Emotionally Fried

Quick Qs:

 

• Do you feel like ugly crying as hard as you did the first time you watched The Notebook, but aren’t sure why? 
• Do you feel down in the dumps and want to fix it, but don’t know how? 

You may be completely emotionally fried, and these suggestions are for coping when you’re sad, irritable, numb, or just feeling too much all at once.

 

Why these tips work: Emotional self-care doesn’t mean that you have to overhaul every negative trait and negative thing you’ve ever pondered to fix your mood. It’s just about allowing space for your feelings with gentle support.

 

 

6. Watch a low-stakes comfort show

Do you ever find yourself gravitating to a TV show that you’ve seen a million times?

 

If so, you’re well aware of the benefits of watching a comfort show as a way to unwind and tap into familiarity and nostalgia.

 

Knowing that there are no plot twists and no emotional labor to anticipate makes binge-watching a show the perfect way to relax when you’re emotionally fried.

 

 

7. Send a voice note to a friend

Socializing is one of the quickest and most effective ways to engage in self-care and improve your mood.

 

If you’re not quite feeling up to having a full conversation, consider sending a voice note to a friend instead.

 

You can just vent or say “hi” and get many of the same benefits.

 

 

8. Cry it out + hydrate

Crying is an immensely effective form of emotional release, and you probably don’t do it enough.

 

If it’s been a while since you had a good cry, try allowing yourself to let loose and feel your emotions. (Queue the sad movie clips and animal videos on YouTube, if you need help starting the waterworks.)

 

Extra points for sipping a glass of water afterward.

 

 

9. Wrap yourself in something soft and sit in silence

Silence can be just what you need when the goal is to recover mentally.

 

Simply wrapping up in a soft item and sitting quietly can work wonders for calming your mind and giving yourself the care you deserve.

 

Just existing for five minutes is completely valid when you need it.

 

 

10. Write one sentence about how you feel

If you have functioning ears or eyes, I’m sure journaling has been recommended to you more times than you have fingers and toes to count them on.

 

However, there is something to be said for writing your feelings out, and it doesn’t have to include a full-blown journaling session.

 

Instead of attempting to be profound while scribbling away with abandon, try naming your feelings by writing just one sentence.

 

 

 

When You’re Physically Exhausted

Are you frequently finding yourself sprawling out on the sofa, or your bed, or the driver’s seat of your car on the way home in an exhausted heap? 

 

You’re running on fumes, and getting up feels like too much because you’re beyond exhausted.

 

Why these tips work: The strategies meet your body where it’s at. Using comfort, warmth, and a little bit of movement (if you want it).

 

 

11. Lie on the floor

I know the idea of sprawling out on the floor like a starfish at the bottom of the ocean doesn’t seem like it would help, but it totally does.

 

Just lying down with no pressure and no agenda can be immensely calming and satisfying. Just let gravity do its thing.

 

 

12. Use a heating pad on your shoulders or lower back

Do you know what the next best thing to getting a massage from warm hands is? A heating pad placed on your shoulders or lower back.

 

This is especially helpful if you’re holding tension or stress in your body. The heat can do wonders for loosening your muscles and making you more relaxed. Try it now, thank me later.

 

 

13. Dry shampoo or leave-in conditioner + lip balm = micro glow-up

When you’re physically exhausted, the last thing you’re probably thinking of is your looks. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still look good.

 

For a quick pick-me-up, consider adding dry shampoo to your hair (if it’s oily) or leave-in conditioner (if it’s dry).

 

Add a quick touch of lip balm and, boom, you’ve glowed up in minutes. It feels like you “did something” without doing too much.

 

Just like that, you’ve glowed up in minutes. No sink, no effort, no problem.

 

 

14. Change into clean pajamas or cozy loungewear

Confession: When I’m feeling physically low, it’s not uncommon for me to put on the same basic t-shirt and leggings (even after showering).

 

This is typically because I can’t bother to choose something else to wear. But, on the occasion that I change into clean pajamas or cozy loungewear, it totally helps!

 

It’s an instant mood shift with minimal effort.

 

 

15. Stretch while lying down

Do you ever take a biiiig stretch just after waking up while you’re still in bed?

 

If so, you know how unusually good it can feel to point and flex your feet, roll your shoulders, or raise your arms above your head while lying down.

 

You don’t have to limit this type of stretching to early mornings.

 

Whenever you need to, and you’re able, feel free to lie down and stretch – whatever feels good to you.

 

 

 

Bonus: Zero-Touch Lazy Self-Care (for when you can’t even)

Want to care for yourself without needing to do much, if anything? I’ve got you!

 

These tips will allow you to experience no-effort self-care and still reap benefits.

 

Why these tips work: Even intentional stillness can be a form of self-care.

 

16. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”

If your phone buzzing or pinging makes you jump out of your seat like you’re being shocked, it’s time to try putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” to get some low-lift relaxation.

 

 

17. Use a calming app like “Loóna” or “Insight Timer” while lying still

Apps can be immensely useful tools for finding calm, fast when your brain just won’t stop. Consider lying still for a few minutes and using apps like Loóna and Insight Timer to chill out for a few.

 

 

18. Set a timer and do absolutely nothing for 5 minutes

When was the last time that you legitimately did absolutely nothing? If it’s been a while, set a time for 5 minutes (or more) and purposely do nothing the whole time. You’ll likely be surprised at how good it feels.

 

 

19. Open the window for fresh air – even from bed

Studies show that nature has an incredible amount of benefits for us. However, it’s not always feasible to get outside. To stay indoors and still get benefits, try opening the window for fresh air, even if you stay in bed while breathing it.

 

20. Just breathe. That’s it.

Nothing fancy, just take a few breaths and pay attention to it. Experience the calm you feel. That’s it.

 

 

The Bare-Minimum Reminder You Needed

At the end of the day, lazy self-care is still real self-care.

 

Taking care of yourself isn’t always cute, productive, or energetic, and that’s okay.

 

Whether you’re emotionally overloaded, physically exhausted, or mentally checked out, doing the smallest comforting thing still counts.

 

Give yourself permission to do less when you need to. Sometimes, rest is the most radical act of self-care.

 

Feeling seen? Share this list with your laziest (but most lovable) friend. Or bookmark it for the next time self-care feels like *too* much.

 

And if you want more low-effort wellness tips, make sure to check out these tips for de-stress activities or follow me on Pinterest.