The hottest Self-care Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Secret to a Hobby-Filled Life

Culture Study • 7579 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Self-care
  1. Having a hobby is great for your mental health and helps you relax. It lets you take a break from work and feel restored.
  2. Starting a hobby as an adult can be tough and might feel forced at first. It's important to find something that feels natural and enjoyable for you.
  3. People often struggle with how to spend their free time between self-care and family obligations. It's okay to take time for yourself and explore hobbies without pressure.

A Doctor's Pain in the Neck

Are You Okay? • 1138 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Listen to your body's signals; it may be time to address underlying health issues.
  2. Prioritize stress management and self-care to maintain overall health.
  3. Seek professional help and make necessary lifestyle adjustments for long-term well-being.

When Ghosting Is Right

Disaffected Newsletter • 1698 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Sometimes, ghosting someone can protect your safety, especially if they are harmful or toxic. It’s okay to stop communication if it's necessary for your well-being.
  2. Not everyone acts like a normal person; some people can be manipulative or cruel. Being aware of these types can help you decide when to distance yourself.
  3. You shouldn't feel guilty about ghosting. It's important to trust your instincts and know when it's better to quietly back away from a relationship.

Phone addiction, Stanley stans and the out-of-office message I struggled to send

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 2016 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. The author discusses the challenges of crafting an out-of-office message after a personal tragedy, highlighting the struggle of balancing professionalism and personal disclosure.
  2. The societal expectations around grief and the pressure to provide a 'good excuse' for taking time off work are explored, shedding light on the complexities of navigating personal loss in professional settings.
  3. The post touches on broader themes related to privacy, empathy, and the need for more open conversations around grief and loss, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and accepting one's emotional state.

How to Show Up For Your Friends Without Kids — and How to Show Up For Kids and Their Parents

Culture Study • 5719 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Self-care
  1. Many people feel left out or lonely, regardless of their life situation. It's important to remember that everyone has their own struggles and we should support each other instead of comparing who's worse off.
  2. People want and need help, but often don’t ask for it. We need to communicate better about how we can support each other in our daily lives.
  3. Building and maintaining friendships takes effort and can be messy. Sometimes it's not fun, but it's valuable because it helps us feel connected and cared for.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Fall Vibes

CRAFT TALK • 3321 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Self-care
  1. Fall is a good time to reflect on accomplishments and creative projects.
  2. Identify blind spots in your work and seek feedback to improve.
  3. Take a gentle and nourishing approach to self-care and writing in the final season of the year.

“Fear is Excitement without the Breath”

Seven Senses • 299 implied HN points • 06 Jul 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Fear and excitement often go hand in hand. When something new and thrilling happens, it's common to feel both excited and a little scared at the same time.
  2. Breathing is key when dealing with the mix of excitement and anxiety. Taking deep breaths can help calm those overwhelming feelings and bring clarity.
  3. Both fear and excitement activate similar responses in our bodies. Learning to identify these feelings can help us manage them better and enjoy the positive parts more.

WHAT IS GOOD RIGHT NOW?

Entering The Lung • 1749 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Self-care
  1. Friday can bring a sense of renewal and excitement.
  2. It's important to find joy in small things and not let negativity overwhelm us.
  3. Being kind to ourselves and letting go of unnecessary stress can help us navigate challenging times.

hello depression my old friend

Both Are True • 304 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. I’m dealing with a low, nagging sadness that comes with a lot of anger and shame, and there may not be a single clear reason for it. Trying to pin down or fix the feeling feels like quicksand.
  2. Recent changes—like cutting antidepressants and stopping weed—are likely making me feel off and in withdrawal, which is complicating my mood.
  3. Even with a loving family and a good life, the darkness can still seep in, but writing and being honest about it helps me feel a bit more like myself.

It's Okay to Not be Okay

Are You Okay? • 1897 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Before setting New Year's resolutions, consider what is realistic and sustainable for you.
  2. Health is not just about physical aspects like weight; it encompasses awareness, acceptance, and agency over one's well-being.
  3. Prioritize the four non-negotiables for health: sleep, talk, eat, and move.

How to Reset

Agents and Books • 1316 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. After completing a big project, take a break and reset your brain with something fun and non-deadline driven.
  2. It's okay to have a longer rest period after finishing a project, indulge in activities like binge-watching, reading, or painting.
  3. Don't feel pressured to start something new right away, reset in your own time when you feel ready.

Chip Conley Wants You To Love Getting Older

Changing The Channel • 1096 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Life truly begins at 50, according to Chip Conley, as everything before that is just a dress rehearsal.
  2. Despite negative messages about aging in our culture, getting older can bring increased happiness and excitement for the future.
  3. Unlearning toxic social conditioning around aging is essential, especially with industries that profit from instilling fear of aging.

Coming Unstuck. Laughing at the Wrong Things

Letters from Suzanne • 1395 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Self-care
  1. Accepting and embracing feeling stuck can lead to feeling better and eventually getting unstuck.
  2. Finding joy in small things, like children's jokes, can be a source of happiness during tough times.
  3. Humor and laughter are important for mental well-being, and it's okay to find different things funny than others.

A month of my notes, April 2024

Tao Lin • 539 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Daily notes show a focus on health and wellness. The person tracks their sleep, exercise, and diet to maintain good habits.
  2. There’s an effort to reduce sugar intake, specifically with gum care. The goal is to improve dental health by avoiding sugar at the end of meals.
  3. Self-healing practices are highlighted as important. The individual dedicates significant time to self-care routines that promote mental and physical well-being.

JJ Couey, Dr. JJ Couey, one of the smartest people out there! check out his work, his speeches, his interviews; you need not believe everything anyone tells you or shares, but have an open mind; I do

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 1474 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Keep an open mind when exploring new information from various sources.
  2. Evaluate the work and ideas of individuals like Dr. JJ Couey by delving into their work, speeches, and interviews.
  3. Strive to listen and learn from individuals unless they are engaging in harmful behaviors.

the only thing the spiral wants is...

Both Are True • 118 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. A spiral is self-perpetuating: it grabs any detail and keeps spinning regardless of whether the problem is real.
  2. Noticing the spiral — calling it out or shifting into a calmer “noodle” — can slow it down, and awareness, however annoying, actually helps.
  3. Small real actions and sharing your work lead to real outcomes and connections, while the spiral tends to ignore wins and amplify imagined failures, often harming relationships.

Confession

Wild Holy & Free • 1358 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Self-care involves how we think about medical tests and appointments, it's important to be kind to ourselves during the process.
  2. Receiving medical test results should not define our worth or character; it is simply a snapshot of our body's condition.
  3. In the face of challenges, be proud of your body for surviving and remember to practice gentleness and self-compassion.

Spot it? Need it.

Seven Senses • 339 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. When we notice something annoying in others, it often reflects what we dislike in ourselves. This can help us understand our own behaviors better.
  2. Our strong feelings toward certain traits in others could actually be hints of what we need more of in our own lives. We might need to embrace those traits instead of judging them.
  3. We often think in extremes, but finding a balance is key. Accepting both positive and negative traits can lead to healthier boundaries and a happier life.

New Year, Same You

Ladyparts • 1437 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. The author's new year resolutions for 2024 are the same as last year's, focusing on writing and reading.
  2. Acceptance and gratitude are emphasized as important attitudes for the new year.
  3. The post encourages readers to subscribe for access to the full archives with a 7-day free trial.

Getting the Crab to the Beach

Living Fossils • 29 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Distress often signals a bad fit between a person and their situation, not a fundamental personal defect; feelings can be most useful as clues about the environment.
  2. Focusing too much on thoughts, memories, or meaning can trap people in rumination; changing routines and context is often more effective than insight alone.
  3. Practical solutions usually involve altering the situation to match the person—adding structure, social context, or different schedules—because shifting circumstances is often easier and more reliable than trying to reengineer personality.

Glow Mama!

Glow Mama • 59 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Make time for yourself, even if it's just 15 minutes a day. Simple acts like reading or taking a walk can refresh you and prevent burnout.
  2. Start with small, realistic goals to make positive changes in your life. Tiny steps like drinking more water or doing some quick stretches can add up over time.
  3. Sneak movement into your daily routine whenever you can. You don't need a formal workout—simple activities like dancing or doing squats while doing chores can keep you active.

Show Up For Yourself First

Culture Study • 7951 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Taking care of your own needs first is important to be able to help others effectively.
  2. Liking yourself and spending time alone can lead to better relationships and a more fulfilling life.
  3. Balancing spending time with yourself and with others is essential for overall well-being and maintaining healthy relationships.

I'm Giving Up Alcohol For the Month of November

Are You Okay? • 1897 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Giving up alcohol can improve sleep, mood, and sense of agency.
  2. Taking a break from alcohol can help reevaluate its impact on various aspects of health, including behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical.
  3. Consider the benefits of alcohol you can't live without before deciding to join in giving up alcohol for a period.

How I’m spending Dead Week

Austin Kleon • 5315 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Self-care
  1. The week between Christmas and New Year's, called Dead Week, is a time to relax and not feel pressure to achieve much. It's a break from the usual hustle and bustle.
  2. Re-reading notebooks and journals can help reflect on the year. It's a comforting way to see what was accomplished and what was not.
  3. Taking time for small pleasures, like relaxing baths and enjoying junk food or fun movies, helps unwind and enjoy the end of the year. It's okay to take it easy and just enjoy life.

Midlife women feel like screaming

The Shift With Sam Baker • 2556 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Midlife women may feel overwhelmed and frustrated, leading to a need to let out pent-up emotions, like anger and exhaustion.
  2. Suppressed rage and unexpressed feelings can build up over time and negatively impact mental well-being.
  3. Making friends can be challenging for some individuals, causing feelings of desperation and inadequacy in social situations.

The Gift of 4-7-8 Breathing

Are You Okay? • 1337 implied HN points • 25 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Take a moment to relax and recharge, especially during hectic times like holidays.
  2. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique for natural stress relief and better sleep.
  3. The 4-7-8 breathing technique is a simple way to calm the nervous system and boost relaxation.

Are You Struggling With Your Own Screen Time? 

After Babel • 2596 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. It's important to figure out why you want to reduce your screen time before trying to change your habits. Knowing your goals will help you stay motivated.
  2. To spend less time on your phone, reconnect with real life by seeking fun and interesting activities outside of screens. This makes you less likely to reach for your device.
  3. Make your phone boring by deleting tempting apps and reducing notifications. This way, you'll be less distracted and more present in your daily life.

Screenless Sunday

Seven Senses • 599 implied HN points • 06 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Taking a break from screens can help bring balance to our lives. Spending 24 hours without phones or TVs allows us to reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.
  2. Using our phones less can reduce anxiety and improve mental health. It's easy to grab our phones to fill moments of boredom, but it can take us away from enjoying real-life experiences.
  3. Mindfulness is key to finding balance with technology. By being intentional about screen time and engaging fully with what's happening around us, we can enjoy the benefits of both the digital world and our everyday lives.

4 Steps Toward Reclaiming Your Health

Are You Okay? • 1158 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. Recognize the normalcy of feeling stressed and prioritize removing self-stigma.
  2. Understand that doctors are there to help, not judge, and provide guidance on managing stress-induced health issues.
  3. Be honest about your struggles, ask for help, and build a support system to prioritize your health and well-being.

Lean In, 10 Years Later

My Sweet Dumb Brain • 1749 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care
  1. The author has transitioned from focusing on 'leaning in' or 'leaning out' to simply trying to lean in different aspects of life.
  2. Taking on extra work can alleviate financial worries but bring new stressors of time management and choices.
  3. The societal view on work and success has shifted from a 'work harder' mentality to recognizing the importance of balance, mental health, and avoiding burnout.