Taking time to check in with yourself is an important step toward better well-being, yet it’s often overlooked in today’s busy world. A quick moment of self-reflection can help identify emotions, ease stress, and reconnect with one’s needs. Just three minutes can make a meaningful difference in building a self-care habit.
The 3 Minute Self-Care Check-in is a simple yet effective tool designed to help clients pause and reflect. It guides them through steps like identifying how they feel, thinking about their needs, and choosing a small action to care for themselves. Each step includes clear instructions, which makes it easy to integrate into daily life.
Having this poster displayed in therapy spaces and classrooms can remind kids and teens to take a mindful pause to feel more balanced. Over time, it lays a foundation for lifelong self-care.
Caring adults can amplify its impact by modeling the practice themselves. They can share their experiences and encourage participation. They can also integrate the check-in into the child’s daily routines, such as after school or before bedtime.
Feel free to check out our self-care worksheets for additional resources to supplement this poster.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
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References:
- Branson, A. C. (2023). Self-care in mental health: A study on the effectiveness of self-care for overall mental wellbeing(Honors College Thesis No. 884). Georgia Southern University. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/884
- Peckham, M. (2021). Self-care and grounding. Looking at Trauma, 13-20. https://doi.org/10.5325/j.ctv1wmz3qr.8
- Riegel, B., Barbaranelli, C., Stawnychy, M. A., Matus, A., & Hirschman, K. B. (2024). Does self-care improve coping or does coping improve self-care? A structural equation modeling study. Applied Nursing Research, 78, 151810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151810
- Shannon, P. J., Simmelink-McCleary, J., Im, H., Becher, E., & Crook-Lyon, R. E. (2014). Developing self-care practices in a trauma treatment course. Journal of Social Work Education, 50(3), 440-453. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2014.917932
- Truscott, A., Hayes, D., Bardsley, T., Choksi, D., & Edbrooke-Childs, J. (2023). Defining young people’s mental health self-care: A systematic review and Co-development approach. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(11), 3765-3785. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02320-7
