How to practice self-care when you don't know where to start

It's the small stuff you do because it looks after you: eating, resting, seeing people, getting outside, saying no. Some of it is nice. Some of it's dull, like booking the dentist. You don't need a product or a free day to do it.

1. 1.

   Find what you've already got. Think of one small thing you'd miss if it stopped: your first coffee, a walk, a call with your sister. That counts. You've already started.

   Clear
2. 2.

   Pick one more small thing. Choose from this list of 60 ideas, sorted by time. Go for the easiest one that appeals.
3. 3.

   Tie it to something that already happens. Stretch when the kettle's on. Write one line when you sit down with your tea.
4. 4.

   Notice how it goes. After a week, ask if you like doing it. If you don't, swap it. Plenty of what people call self-care won't suit you.
5. 5.

   Say no to one thing. A lot of looking after yourself is doing less. Pick one thing this month that you could drop.

• Write a few linesone question a day
• Take a breathfollow the circle for a minute
• Find a word for how you feel54 to choose from
• Stretch where you're sittingone minute or three