The most soothingly effective self-care activity for your Myers-Briggs type, found

In light of reports about COVID-19 consuming the news cycle and our thoughts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with worry, stressed, fearful, or depressed. So if there’s ever been a time to adopt new and effective self-care activities, it’s now. That said, not every person will feel uplifted and refreshed in the same ways. For example, all Myers-Briggs types enjoy different self-care activities and methods for rejuvenation.

ISFPs like to explore their individuality in new ways, whereas ISFJs like to feel comfortable and supported, while ESFJs thrive when their social muscle is engaged by fun with friends, and ENTPs feel a boost when a challenging daily project moves their mental energy toward a healthy outlet. Clearly, variability for the type of self-care activities deemed fulfilling really depends on the person and their specific personality.

So below, find some ideas for taking care of yourself, no matter your MBTI type. (Still haven’t learned your Myers-Briggs yet? Find out more here. And if you want to take a deeper dive, check out our guide to the cognitive functions.)

The best self-care activities for each Myers-Briggs personality type? Find out below:

ISFJ: Call a loved one

ISFJs love being around people—but, specifically, their people. You are selectively social and gravitate toward familiar energies that have a history of lifting you up. Whether it’s your mom or your best friend back home, call that person who makes you feel better. Hearing their voice is soothing to you.

ESFJ: Have a virtual happy hour

ESFJs are among the more social types. They typically have many people—usually a long-time group of friends—they like to call in order to feel fulfilled, unlike introverted counterparts, who may only lean on one person. Gather them up for a little afternoon virtual happy hour, and instead of dressing up, stay in sweats with wine.

ISTJ: Read a good book

ISTJs like to learn; learning is the ultimate soothing activity for you. The best thing you can do for self care is take time out to learn something you haven’t yet had the chance to embrace. Maybe it’s a book on Spanish culture or a history book about the Industrial Revolution. Whatever it is, take an hour at some point every day to dedicate to reading.

ESTJ: Organize your closet

ESTJs like to feel productive, and they like to streamline their life. During this time of isolation, use your off-hours productively to clean and organize a crucial space, like your closet. Purchase extra storage from Amazon (or better yet, a small business or startup!), and get to work. When that’s finished, move to the next space, like your garage or basement.

ESFP: Treat yourself

ESFPs move a lot and play a lot, but they also like to wind down and embrace their favorite decadent treats from time to time. Try a purifying new face mask, or try a new cuisine you’ve never had. There’s no better time than now to scratch the itch to explore your inner chef, after all.

ISFP: Pamper and primp

ISFPs are often go-go-go, which takes away from the time they really enjoy expressing themselves through style and beauty. So give yourself a mini at-home makeover. Try new hair looks and a new skin-care routine with products you have around.

ESTP: Go for a run

ESTPs have to get out and move, or they start to feel overwhelmed. As long as you feel healthy, symptom-free and practice safe social distancing, take the opportunity to move outdoors. Bonus if you’re doing something new every day because while you appreciate your staple movements, you also thrive when trying new things. Just make sure to be safe so you don’t open yourself up to injury.

ISTP: Take a hike

Of course you’d rather not be socially distancing, but you, ISTP, actually thrive doing independent outdoor activities, which can bring you a lot of mental clarity during challenging times. Maybe it’s a hike or bike ride on a quiet trail. Regardless of the activity, choose the longer path you always wish you had more time for. Really soak it in. Just don’t forget to reply to texts and phone calls from the people you love while you’re away.

ENFP: Work on a project

ENFPs have a lot of outward energy, which they normally channel into friendships. But when friends are physically farther away than usual, rather than focusing on your social life like you normally would, pick up that project you’ve been putting off, like assembling that piece or furniture or fixing your car. Choose a friend you want to catch up with via phone while you work, put on your headset, and go. It’ll be almost as soothing as if you saw them in-person—and more productive.

INFP: Go out into nature

INFPs feel most at home in nature. Whether you take a long walk or set up a personal picnic outdoors, just getting outside will lift your spirits with fresh air and mood-boosting vitamin D. Nature has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and protect against depression, too. With spring ahead, it’s the perfect time to get out. And if you can’t get out in a literal sense, there are great strategies for bringing the outdoors in.

ENFJ: Meditate

ENFJs are highly social creatures, which means they might be struggling with isolation during this time. You need two things, the first of which you already know: social energy. Now is the time to FaceTime your friends. The second thing you need is centering; you need time for self-reflection, future planning, journaling, and understanding. Try a meditation app like Headspace or Calm. At the end of each day before bed, focus on the positive things you experienced.

INFJ: Journal

INFJs need to process what they’re experiencing, and you often do this best on your own. Whereas you are great at helping extroverted friends sort out their feelings verbally, you prefer distilling ideas down to their core meaning through activities like writing and reflection. Self care for you might be creative writing or making sense of things through fiction, or journaling about your feelings and more abstract thoughts. Make a practice of it daily to keep your mind clearer.

INTJ: Cleanse away the day

INTJs don’t need more occasions to overanalyze; they need occasions to shut off. Analyzing is great when it leads to innovation, but it’ll be easy to spiral with this news cycle. Make shower-to-bedtime a daily ritual that helps you detach. Get at least eight hours of sleep, as well—INTJs need adequate rejuvenation and rest to feel truly balanced.

INTP: Watch a docu-series

INTPs love life’s great mysteries and are always asking big-picture questions. What better way to engage that muscle than by watching a docu-series? Whether it’s history, current events, or true crime, there’s something out there to enjoy for every viewer.

ENTP: Cook

ENTPs really enjoy projects, but they also enjoy challenges, so try to plan some elaborate, complex meals for yourself that don’t require leaving your home. If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand that you need? Consider it an opportunity to innovate! Also, try to whip up homemade snacks with what you have available.

Want some inspo? Try the vegan fried rice in the video below:

ENTJ: Do a crossword puzzle

ENTJs feel best when they’re doing something productive. You might feel sad you can’t accomplish as much as you normally do when video calls are crashing and you’re waiting on emails instead of walking across the hallway. A great way to expend mental energy? Do a daily crossword puzzle when you’re really frustrated. Completing something that engages your brain will be highly soothing.

Now that you know the best self-care activities by your Myers-Briggs type, here are dozens of self-care ideas for getting over a breakup, and small acts of self care that 22 people swear by.