Nerdy Ideas for Wellness

Holidays are fantastic for re-setting your wellness, but they also remind us of who we really are. The cruise ship definitely highlighted my nerdy side. While everyone else was sleeping, I loved walking laps around the deck, watching the sunrise and the ship dock into our next destination. While most people were in the bars drinking, I was checking out the book collection in the coffee port and wondering if anyone would object to me arranging the books in colour order! 

I didn’t, by the way, just in case you were wondering.

But the nerd in me couldn’t resist seeing how many of those titles I had already read … 

Self-care isn’t all about bubble baths and spa days (though they’re lovely, too!). If you have a nerdy side, why not embrace it and turn your love for organisation, learning, or technology into a wellness practice? Here are some quirky, brain-boosting, and uniquely satisfying ways to elevate your self-care routine.

1. Organise Your Bookshelves for Stress Relief

If you love books, you know how calming it can be to immerse yourself in a well-organised collection. But did you know that tidying and reorganising your bookshelf can actually help reduce stress?

• Try colour-coordinating your books for a visually pleasing effect.

• Sort by theme or genre to create the perfect personalised library.

• Create a ‘to-read’ list and set yourself a fun challenge for the year.

  The process of arranging, categorising, and creating order can be incredibly therapeutic—plus, you get the joy of rediscovering old favourites!

2. Create a Colour-Coded Meal Prep System

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys structure, turning meal prep into a colour-coded system can be a satisfying and creative form of self-care. The food on board the ship was very English, but the buffet restaurant had themed nights, which has inspired me to get more creative at meal times. Here are a few ideas for you to try:

• When creating meals, aim for a balanced mix of colours on your plate. This helps ensure you’re getting a variety of nutrients while making meals more visually appealing. For example, a colourful salad might include green lettuce, red grilled chicken, yellow quinoa, and a drizzle of orange olive oil dressing. Or, a stir-fry could have green broccoli, red beef strips, yellow noodles, and blue eggplant.

• Use jars and meal-prep containers to create visually balanced, nutritious lunches that feel like a work of art. Think of a rainbow of layers that’s pleasing to the eye.

• Plan themed meal days (e.g., ‘Mediterranean Mondays’ or ‘Taco Tuesdays’) to make healthy eating fun and engaging.

  Taking the time to organise your meals in a way that excites your brain can make healthy eating feel effortless rather than a chore.

3. Geek Out with Wellness Apps & Tech

Why not bring a bit of tech into your self-care routine? Even on holiday, it was fun to track my steps. We chose to take the stairs instead of the lifts, especially when it was only a floor or two, and it was surprising to see how far we walked just strolling around the ports. These days, there are plenty of apps designed to help with mindfulness, relaxation, and overall wellness. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Habit-tracking apps (like Habitica) that gamify your self-care routines.

• Breathwork & meditation apps (like Insight Timer or Calm) to help you de-stress with guided techniques. I also love Moonly, which tracks your health with the moon's rhythm to harmonise and heal your mind and body. It also has daily affirmations and guided meditations.

• Wearable wellness tech (like smartwatches) to track sleep, heart rate, and stress levels.

  Exploring and customising these tools can turn wellness into a fun and engaging experience rather than just another task on your to-do list.

4. Dive Into a New Fantasy World for Mental Escape

Escapism can be a healthy way to decompress, especially when life feels overwhelming. Whether it’s through books, movies, games, or even RPGs (Role Playing Games) like Dungeons & Dragons, losing yourself in a different world for a little while can be a refreshing mental reset.

• Try an immersive video game with stunning landscapes and a gripping storyline. For example, Hogwarts Legacy: A third-person RPG where players customise their character and learn to cast spells and brew potions.

• Read an epic fantasy novel to transport yourself to another realm. I love Pier’s Anthony and Harry Potter books, while my husband prefers Lord of the Rings and Terry Pratchett. Find something you love, and get lost in your lunch break. 

• Try creative writing to build your own world. Open a Google Docs account and start writing. It can be a short story, a novella, a novel, a poem, just write. The more we write, the better we get!

  Giving your brain a break from reality can help lower stress and reignite your sense of curiosity and imagination.

5. Build the Perfect Cosy Nerd Cave

Even when you’re away having everything done for you and relaxing by the pool, there’s nothing like coming home to your own bed. Why? Because your environment plays a huge role in your well-being, so why not craft a self-care space that reflects your personality?

• Set up warm lighting with fairy lights or LED strips for an ambient glow.

• Add comfy seating (a bean bag, a cosy chair, or even a pile of blankets).

• Create a dedicated relaxation zone for reading, journaling, or listening to music.

  Whether you turn it into a reading nook, a meditation space, or a gaming den, having a place that feels truly you can make self-care feel more natural and enjoyable.

6. Learn for Fun – Just Because!

Sometimes, self-care isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing more of what excites your brain! I've been learning Spanish on and off for a while, and although I missed my lessons, some of the Islands were Spanish-speaking, and it was fun to see how much I know (or don’t know; my Spanish still has a long way to go). If you love learning, why not make time for intellectual self-care?

• Enrol in an online course about something you’ve always wanted to learn.

• Listen to fascinating podcasts about history, science, or philosophy.

• Watch documentaries that expand your perspective.

• Try puzzle games or brain-training apps to keep your mind sharp.

  Giving yourself permission to learn purely for enjoyment can be an incredible way to recharge and nurture your well-being.

Final Thoughts

Self-care looks different for everyone, and if traditional relaxation techniques don’t appeal to you, there are plenty of alternative ways to nurture your mind, body, and soul. Whether it’s curating a book collection, levelling up your meal planning, or geeking out with wellness tech, embracing your unique passions can make self-care feel more authentic, fulfilling, and fun.

Which of these nerdy self-care ideas speaks to you? Let me know in the comments!

Related posts:

Look for the magic in the mundane!

Can writing help you to de-stress?

Think like a left-handed Monk

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