In this post, I want to talk about the different types of self-care. Self-care has become such a widely used term that you really can’t figure out what it means these days. It’s quite self-explanatory, to be honest.
Anything that helps you become better in any way, that improves upon your existing life is self-care. It has to do with your being, be mindful of that.
We designed everything around us to make us forget all about ourselves and get lost in the busy everyday happenings happening everywhere. That’s where self-care comes in.
Here’s an odd example for you, but it fits really well: you’re like a machine, you need to create some sort of service mechanism for yourself if you want to run for longer, otherwise you’re landing in a junkyard pretty soon.
Your body and mind are biological machines that also need some sort of servicing and overhauling, clean out that junk, and work on improving your life!
Here are the different types of self-care that’ll truly open your heart, body, and mind!
Emotional Self-Care: Nurturing Your Inner World
A very important yet mostly ignored form of well-being and self-care is emotional self-care. Your emotions are all the feelings you’ve ever felt. Now imagine the consideration you give to these feelings. If it’s not a whole lot, you’re probably throwing yourself in an emotionally bereft hell form where few come back. Don’t go there. Don’t do this to yourself.
Emotional health comes from addressing your feelings and the changes in them. If the new workplace makes you feel bullied, address it. Maybe the neighbor around the block has been very judgemental towards you and it’s a concern for your mental health, take it into consideration and take the action needed to fix the situation. You can’t be feeling abused and misused and then live your best life, it doesn’t work like that!
Here’s what you can do to take care of those emotions and find your own ways to deal with them:
- Journaling: A personal favorite, journaling allows you to navigate your emotional landscape by writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It’s a cathartic process that promotes growth.
- Acknowledging Self-Worth: Remember, your feelings are valid. Embracing this truth is the first step towards emotional resilience.
- Creating a Mood Board: Identify what uplifts you and what drags you down. This visual tool is a roadmap to understanding and managing your emotions.
- Open Communication: Speak your mind. Sharing your thoughts and feelings is liberating and a crucial aspect of self-care.
- Focusing on What Matters: Channel your energy towards what truly enriches your life, whether it’s personal goals, hobbies, or relationships.
- Seeking Professional Help: If emotions become overwhelming, consulting a therapist is a powerful step towards healing.
Physical Self-Care: Honoring Your Body
You must have heard all those cliche things on your usual Pinterest nighttime scrolls: “Your body’s a temple” and “Body = Home” and all that. Well, let me tell you something, IT’S TRUE! It’s all true. Your body is literally housing all of you, your being, your mind, your thoughts, your hopes, and your aspirations. What are you doing with your body?
If the answers are along the lines of…
“Uh, Lucie, I’m shoving loads of oil and fried food in it.”, “Lucie, I’m starving myself to have my ribs show up.” or “I have no time for the gym and I don’t really like it.” we need to talk!
Your physical self is the first impression you give the people you meet, what do you want that to be like? Tired? Exhausted? Self-hating mess? It doesn’t need to be this way.
Here are some of the physical self-care practices that work for me and might work for you too:
Your body is your temple, and how you treat it reflects your self-respect. Here are some personal tips for physical self-care:
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- Balanced Diet: Nutritious food fuels your body and mind. It’s about eating what makes you feel good, both inside and out.
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- Regular Exercise: Find joy in movement—be it a brisk walk, yoga, or a dance class. Exercise is not just about fitness; it’s about feeling alive.
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- Rest and Relaxation: Never underestimate the power of a good massage or a pampering bath. It’s about giving your body the rest it deserves.
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- Self-Pampering: Small acts of self-love, like a pedicure or using your favorite bath salts, can significantly uplift your mood.
Social Self-Care: Building Meaningful Connections
Who you keep around you has one of the greatest impacts on your wellbeing. An essential, super imperative way in which you can practise self-care is by working on your social life.
There are kinds of personality types: the extroverts like to meet new people and make bonds pretty quick, the introverts tend to take their time and rely on fewer long-term relationships that are defined by comfort level while the ambiverts play both the courts.
Whoever you are and wherever you are, it is always good to know yourself personality-wise and then choose your social circle accordingly. So if you’re quite impressionable, it is always a good choice to not hang out with people who might influence you into doing something you might not be proud of.
Here’s how you can practice some badass social self-care and the world will watch you bloom and grow:
- Understanding Your Social Needs: Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, embracing your social preferences is key to fulfilling relationships.
- Quality Time: Invest time in relationships that matter. Dinners, heartfelt conversations, and shared experiences build strong bonds.
- Setting Boundaries: It’s okay to say no. Protecting your energy and prioritizing your well-being is essential.
Financial Self Care
Managing finances can be really hard, it can really take its toll on your mental health if it goes out of bounds. So many people struggle daily with the problems brought about by money. So one more step that you can take while practising amazing self-care is money management.
Debt pulls you down in so many ways, it just creates that depressing outlook of life that you don’t need. So yes, be careful how and where you spend the bucks you make because each cent is hard-earned. If you want to borrow money at least do it for investment purposes and always invest wisely.
Financial self-care can be done in many ways, here are some suggestions that might help:
- Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power. Reading about personal finance can help you make informed decisions.
- Budgeting: Use apps to track your income and expenses. Being mindful of your spending can alleviate financial stress.
- Invest Wisely: Consider your long-term financial health by making smart investments and avoiding unnecessary debt.
Spiritual Self-Care: Connecting with Your Core
This has nothing to do with your beliefs. What matters is whether you find comfort, calmness, and peace with your spiritual self. It always helps to find a centre to keep you grounded and remind you to keep in touch with your core. Spiritual self-care goes hand in hand with emotional and mental health as well. You must ask yourself if you are connected with your inner self or are you just barely surviving like a hollow shell. If the answer is the latter, you need to find that one spiritual activity that would just bring you back to the ground and purify everything within you.
When it comes to spirituality self-care can be tricky, here’s where you can start:
- Meditate. Often:
And get into Yoga! Trust me, it’s worth trying and you will see progress faster than you think. You just need to stay consistent.
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Visit a religious place:
You’re not just confined to any particular place. You could visit a church, a mosque, a synagogue, or a mandir (Hindu Temple), they work equally well to just blanket all that negative energy and make you feel one with the universe.
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Journal:
Ask yourself questions that you’ve avoided addressing and include them in your journal.
FAQs
Q: How do I start a self-care routine?
A: Start small. Choose one area of self-care that resonates with you and incorporate simple practices into your daily routine.
Q: Can self-care help with anxiety?
A: Yes, self-care practices, especially those focused on emotional and physical well-being, can significantly reduce anxiety and improve mental health.
I wish you all the luck in your journey into self-care. Remember, it’s not going to be perfect from day one onward but you just have to keep going. Every day you spend bettering yourself with self-care is a day well spent! Take care, no, take GOOD care of yourself!
Do you take care of yourself? What do you do to practice self-care? What makes you feel better? I’d love to hear your thoughts and even your suggestions if you have any. We’re all here to connect and learn from each other.
Have a blessed day.
Until next time,
Lucie xx
