Self-Care Tips by Personality Type

For solitude-seeking Introverts, there’s nothing like having some time for yourself. As an Introvert myself, I can attest that having this precious ‘me time’ is crucial to my mental wellbeing. Leaving my desk and going for a walk, or rewatching an old favorite TV show accompanied by a cup of tea, always helps me re-energize and unwind. 

Truth is, both Extraverts and Introverts can benefit from self-care. By taking a little time away from your busy schedule to indulge in activities that bring you peace and joy, you’re stepping away from exhaustion and burnout. 

Now, self-care doesn’t look the same for everybody—that’s where typology comes in! From hot baths to beauty masks, here are the best self-care tips for your personality type.

INFP—Go for a walk in nature

The compassionate and creative INFP often neglects taking care of themselves. To let your imagination run wild, there’s nothing better than immersing yourself in nature. Go for a walk and allow yourself to be present, soaking in the beauty around you. It will surely soothe your mind and fill your spirits. 

INTJ—Catch up on sleep

INTJs are efficiency personified, but there’s something they might not be scheduling in their color-coded spreadsheets: resting! That’s right INTJs of this world, I am here to tell you that you’re so focused on getting things done, you’re forgetting to do a bit of nada. It’s time to shut off. Make sure you’re sleeping enough hours, take a nap after lunch, or create a soothing nighttime routine if you’re finding it too hard to detach yourself from doing stuff.

INFJ—Journal your stress away

While some decompress by venting to their friends about their issues, INFJs often need to find a creative outlet to process their feelings. Journaling can be an effective way to get in touch with your emotions and distill your feelings and thoughts onto paper. Personally, keeping a diary helps me make sense of the world and who I am, and it gives me that precious alone time for self-reflection. 

INTP—Pick up a book

As an INTP, your love for absorbing new and interesting facts can be insatiable. That’s why reading is an ideal form of self-care for these logically brilliant personalities. Pick a non-fic read about one of your niche interests, or lose yourself in a lengthy, engrossing novel.

ENFP—Call a friend

ENFPs are natural social butterflies. They thrive in large groups and love to be surrounded by their friends and loved ones. As an ENFP, remember that while you can ease up on your own, nothing will make you happier than calling a friend. Share memories, make them feel loved, and enjoy the love you get in return, too. 

ENTJ—Work on a puzzle

Some ENTJs might laugh at the idea of self-care. Who has time for that, after all? Well, as much as you’d like to dismiss it, the reality is that you too need to take care of yourself, ENTJ. As these types often have loads of brainpower to burn, engaging in an intricate activity like completing a jigsaw puzzle may help you expend your mental energy, and relax.

ENTP—Get creative in the kitchen

The witty and innovative ENTP loves the idea of a good challenge, and cooking can definitely be one. Take your self-care moment as an opportunity to shine, ENTP, and show everyone your cooking abilities. Get creative by picking a new, complex recipe, or, if you’re feeling mentally depleted, give your brain a break and choose one that smells like home.

ENFJ—Write ‘thank you’ notes

ENFJs are so willing to help others that they sometimes fail to set boundaries and end up neglecting their own needs. Instead of saying ‘yes’ to others all the time, give back by handwriting some ‘thank you’ notes. This simple act allows you to reflect on the positive things that have happened to you, and it will make your generous heart happy.

ISFJ—Find time to laugh

Your devotion to your family is admirable, ISFJ, but remember to take care of yourself too!  For the over committed ISFJ, my advice is to find ways to laugh more. These types often fall into cycles of self-blame and fixating thoughts. When that happens, reframe the situation through a self-humorous lens, and allow yourself to have a laugh.

ISFP—Pamper your skin

The beauty-seeking ISFPs usually have a strong sense of aesthetic—so why not incorporate that into your self-care? Enjoy this alone time, and use it to try a more elaborate makeup look, or pamper your skin with a new product.

ISTJ—Feed your curiosity

The textbook ISTJ is a lifelong learner, so what better way to decompress than to feed your curiosity? Go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, watch a docu-series, or listen to an audiobook. Whereas for other types, absorbing information may be tiresome, your ISTJ generally feels content when stimulating their brain.

ISTP—Try a digital detox

For the overly active ISTP mind, self-care means one thing: unplug. Get away from your computer, and go for a bike ride or a long walk. Spending time alone outdoors may help you find the clarity you need to solve the next big problem your brain is already cooking up.

ESFJ—Organize a happy hour

Let’s be real ESFJs, hosting is your thing. Sociable and affable, ESFJ personalities love having friends around, and feel best when other people’s needs are met. So, if you’re looking for a social energy boost, put your organizational skills into good use and host a virtual or IRL happy hour. Remember, the idea is to relax, not burden yourself further, so keep it as low-key as you possibly can.

ESFP—Meditate

ESFPs like to enjoy the best things life has to offer, but you don’t have to go on a shopping spree whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. If you’re looking for a self-care treat that doesn’t break the bank, a meditation session might be just what you need to recenter and get your creative juices flowing again.

ESTJ—Clean up your space

Your ESTJ likes to feel productive, which means that even a moment of self-care can turn into a practical and useful activity. If your ESTJ mind needs a little achievement boost, try cleaning up your space: it can be your desk, closet, or even an entire room. Research suggests that cleaning can be therapeutic, so pick a project and get cleaning.

ESTP—Move your body

The adventure-seeking ESTP is always on the move. For this energetic personality type, self-care can mean slowing down a bit. You can still decompress by working out, but maybe try a more soothing activity. Our tip? Schedule the bungee jumping for another day, and replace it with a yoga class. Not as thrilling, perhaps, but definitely relaxing.

The bottom line

Whatever your personality type, there’s sure to be a self-care activity that’ll help you get the rest and relaxation you need. We all need some quiet time now and then (yes, even Extraverts!), so browse through our list of suggestions and pick the one that best suits you.