Practicing self-care is important for everyone and can even be a crucial element of your life. If you don’t practice self-care, you’re not going to have the personal energy to take care of anyone or anything else. By engaging in self-care, you are practicing a clinically proven way to help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, while improving your concentration, minimizing frustration, and increasing happiness.
Perhaps the most common reason people have for not engaging in self-care is due to lack of time. While it’s true that many of us have a lot going on, it’s very important to take time out of every day for ourselves, even if it’s just minimal. The best part of self-care is that you can accomplish it in the comfort of your own home.
But what is self-care and what does it look like? Contrary to popular belief, self-care is a lot more than just bubble baths and fluffy slippers. There is a deeper purpose to self-care that can be broken down into four types.
Physical Care
Taking care of your physical needs is often the last priority for most people. According to a 2018 study, 1 in 4 people do not get enough physical activity. Perhaps the reason for this is we, as people, have a skewed view of what qualifies as meaningful physical activity and physical self-care.
You don’t need to hit the gym five days a week to do physical self-care. Here are some suggestions of gentle, physical care you can do:
- Be kind and loving to your body – appreciate it as it is now.
- Nourish your body by eating healthy and energizing foods.
- Get enough sleep and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Exercise to replenish your energy and manage stress. This can be as simple as taking a brisk walk or 15 minutes of yoga.
Emotional Care
Taking care of your emotional state is a top priority when it comes to living a happier, fulfilled life. This means you have to address emotional struggles that arise so you can get yourself back to a calmer state. Here are some easy suggestions to improve emotional care:
- Have a heart-to-heart with a close friend or mentor.
- Avoid self-criticism/judgmental thinking about your actions and thoughts.
- Seek out support from a therapist, coach, social worker, peer, or counselor.
- Journal and write down your feelings and thoughts.
- Go on a fun date with your partner or organize a monthly night out.
Spiritual Care
Often our spiritual well-being is something people don’t consider. Being in touch with your spiritual side is a big part of self-care. For many, being connected to spirituality brings a sense of inner understanding and peace. Here are some ways to connect with spiritual self-care:
- Take time to be by yourself to think or write.
- Take a walk in a park or out in nature.
- Meditate, pray or just reflect on what you’re grateful for.
- Seek out mentors, such as Diana Winston, a mindfulness guide, or John de Ruiter, a Canadian spiritual guide from Edmonton.
- Volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about.
Mental Care
Mental and emotional care are often lumped together, but they do exist independently of each other. Mental care involves stimulation, expanding your knowledge, and exploring your interests. Here are some ways to engage your brain in mental care:
- Read a good book or see an intellectually stimulating movie.
- Learn a new hobby or skill.
- Sign up for a class, group, or workshop on a topic that is interesting to you.
- Challenge yourself within your community or at work to learn something new.
If you’re wondering where to start, consider one of the following areas and focus on it for a month at a time. Implement self-care little by little until it becomes a natural part of your daily routine. We Designed StrongArm® to be the Perfect Self Standing Ergonomic Cane.
