Self-care can be defined as an activity you do to rejuvenate your mind and body. Many people might think of face masks or spa days when they hear the term, but it encompasses so much more than that. Self-care activities can help you feel more in control of eight areas of your life:
- Physical: taking care of your health through nutrition, exercise and sleep
- Emotional: using healthy coping skills, managing stress
- Social: communicating well, setting boundaries within interpersonal relationships
- Spiritual: meditating, praying, spending time in nature
- Personal: taking up hobbies, expressing creativity, setting personal goals
- Spatial: feeling safe, having a clean space
- Financial: saving and managing money
- Professional: managing time, setting boundaries at work, taking breaks
Having different self-care rituals allows you to better cope when you encounter challenges in life. Self-care is also important because it helps you set boundaries, prioritize your needs and wellbeing, and show yourself love, understanding and respect.
So, how do you find self-care that suits you?
Take a look at your life, and make a list of things you enjoy doing, such as listening to music, spending time with friends and family, reading a book and exercising. Then, place each item in your list in one of the self-care categories. You’ll quickly realize the possibilities for self-care are endless!
If you want to incorporate more self-care into your routine and you’re not sure where to start, try scheduling 10-15 minutes each day to work on a specific self-care category. Remember: There is no right or wrong way to practice self-care. What works for you doesn’t have to mirror what works for someone else.
If you are struggling with what self-care looks like for you, identify some current stressors in your life. Then, brainstorm ways you can manage your stress. Look to your past and reflect on things you enjoyed as a kid. The odds are you will enjoy those same things today!
Self-care can be anything that makes you feel happy and rejuvenated. Prioritize it, and you’ll reap the many benefits for your overall health and wellbeing. Access our worksheets to self-assess and develop a self-care plan!
by Megan DiPietro
Most Commented