Self-care means acknowledging your emotional needs and taking care of them. Self-care may be defined by the term itself – caring for yourself.
Self-care includes anything you do to keep yourself healthy – physically, mentally and spiritually. Although prioritizing self-care may sound like common sense, especially if you’re considering longevity, it’s often the first thing to go when we find ourselves in challenging situations, whether because of bad health, a financial crisis, job loss, divorce, hectic worklife, family demands etc.
Burning the candle at both ends, so-to-speak, comes with significant consequences, which may include but are not limited to burnout, depression, anxiety, resentment and a whole host of other negative implications.
Engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more.
From a physical health perspective, self-care has been clinically proven to reduce heart disease, stroke and cancer. Spiritually, it may help keep us in tune with our higher power as well as realize our meaning in life.
It can be hard to know where to start caring for yourself when you have been so consumed with caring for everyone else so I have a list of self-care ideas you can implement into your life to keep you feeling balanced, healthy and intune with yourself as an individual....
Emotional Self-care
Learn to say “no.”
Intentionally schedule “me time” on your calendar or planner.
Reward yourself for completing small tasks.
Use online tutorials to learn something new.
Develop a relaxing evening ritual.
Allow yourself to feel and express all of your feelings (in a safe and appropriate environment). Try some mindful exercises to help bring you into the present moment.
Try some adult coloring pages as a form of anxiety and/or stress release.
Remind yourself of the good stuff in life by writing a list of things you’re grateful to have.
Take a moment to allow your feelings to be present without judging them.
Stop being your harshest critic. Allow yourself to make mistakes.
Journal your thoughts, feelings, and emotions
Physical Self-care
Do some stretching exercises.
Take a walk.
Drink more water.
Take breaks throughout the day
Do some cardio/strengthening exercises each week
Get a massage.
Go out and spend 10 minutes under the sun.
Go for a bike ride to nowhere in particular.
Go hiking, camping, or backpacking and spend some time in nature.
Go to bed early and at a consistant time
Take a bubble bath with epsom salts and essential oils
Do you nails
Get your hair done and freshened up
Rub lotion on your body to moisturize your skin in a slow and relaxing way
Do yoga
Play a game or sport
Paint a picture
Do some gardening
Wash your face, do a mask, moisturize
Go for a facial
Wear an outfit you feel amazing in
Spiritual Self-care
Make time for meditation in your day.
Do a 10-minute body scan technique to check in with each part of your body.
Do something nice for someone in secret.
Donate money to a charity of your choosing.
Help someone in some way.
Find an opportunity to use your strengths, the things that energize you, more often.
Journal your thoughts and feelings about who you are, what experiences have moulded you, and what your passions are in terms of what role you want to play in the world
Try tapping (EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique)
Listen to a positive podcast
Read positive affirmations
Read a self-help book
Journal all the things you can be greatful for that day
Pray
Listen to calm, uplifting, inspirational music