The self-care trend continues and we are here for it. It’s a legit way to improve or maintain your well-being.
Here’s how to navigate self-care in its many forms, for every part of life.
- maintain health
- prevent disease
- cope with illness and disability
- awareness
- self-control
- self-reliance
So, self-care is living a balanced, healthy, and happy life. And even though we don’t have tons of research on self-care so far, what we do know is pretty promising.
Whatever the need, anything that serves your physical health falls under this category.
Activities might include:
- you guessed it: exercise! (whether that’s a walk, hike, bike ride, Zumba, tennis, or jump-squatting in your living room)
- sipping from your new hydro flask so you get enough of that good, good H2O
- spending your #treatyoself $$ on a bougie salad and smoothie
- getting a massage
- going to acupuncture
- dancing (optional: alone in your room in your underwear)
- napping when you’re exhausted (yes, napping is self-care)
- scheduling time to get enough sleep
You also may want to take stock of your physical well-being by asking yourself the following Qs:
- How does your body feel right now?
- What does your body need?
- What does your body want?
Brains, baby. Since mental health is key to overall health, you might want to try:
- listening to an audiobook or podcast (ok, you’ve heard this one before)
- learning a new language or skill
- heading to a museum
- writing (whether that’s poetry or a letter to your future self – grocery lists don’t count!)
- playing sudoku, chess, or another mentally-stimulating game
- doing a puzzle
- taking a social media detox
- reading a book
- practicing a positive mental attitude (PMA FTW)
You can also assess where your mental health is at by asking some questions such as:
- What kind of thoughts are going through your head right now?
- Are these thoughts important or relevant? (If so, how can you address them?)
- If not, what might you rather think about instead?
Emotional self-care means anything that reflects you. Whether you’re on a full-on rollercoaster or you feel a little numb, caring for your emotions is a great way to find peace and balance in life.
Some emotional self-care activities include:
- seeing a therapist (the people are right: they really do work)
- talking to a loved one about your feelings
- journaling about your emotions
- channeling your emotions into art (whether that’s painting, dancing, sewing a new outfit, or making TikTok vids)
- meditating
- Takeaway
Self-care comes in various forms, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and environmental. When you pinpoint which areas of your life need some support, you can implement new habits to improve your quality of life.
Of course, these changes don’t have to happen overnight! Even small steps can add up to major self-care gains. You might practice emotional self-care by talking to a loved one about your feelings, or take care of your physical body by dancing around your room in the morning.
Whatever self-care steps you take, it’s just important that they serve you and your unique sense of well-being.