Since 2015, “self-care” searches on Google have more than doubled.
We live in a society plagued by anxiety and depression, that’s also currently experiencing a pandemic. In that context, it’s not difficult to understand why people are more and more interested in the topic of self-care practices.
But what are the types of self-care and how can you get started?
We’re telling you the why’s, what’s, and how’s of self-care so you can start focusing on you this summer. Keep reading to learn more.
The Importance of Self Care
Self-care means taking your physical and emotional health needs into your own hands. It involves tangible activities that you engage in on a daily basis. The purpose of those activities is to promote your health and wellbeing, prevent illness and disease, and manage any stressors or other issues that arise.
While this may sound intuitive, for most people, self-care is challenging. Many of us were taught to believe that the needs of others should come before our own. But you can’t pour from an empty cup, so you must make the active choice to care for your own health and happiness first.
Types of Self-Care
Self-care doesn’t look the same for everyone. It’s also common for the definition and the activities involved to change over time.
However, generally speaking, self-care can be categorized into three different types: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Below, we explain more about what each of these looks like as well as some of the self-care practices involved.
1. Physical Self-Care
Physical self-care is an aspect of self-care that a lot of people struggle with because of the busy ways in which most of us live our lives. Overwhelm, stress, and exhaustion can deter us from making the healthy choices we need to fuel our physical body and say well.
Some ways you can practice physical self-care are as easy as getting enough sleep and eating a diet of nourishing foods. Physical self-care may also involve adopting an exercise routine, which can be anything from walking to hitting the gym a few times per week.
2. Emotional/Mental Self-Care
Self-care that focuses on your emotional and mental health are typically activities that help you relax, slow down, and clear your head. These are important aspects of self-care because a clear head contributes to well-being.
That is, what you think and hold in your mind impacts your psychological health. To promote a healthy mind, you can practice positive self-talk, journaling, reading self-help books, or getting creative. Emotional and mental self-care may also involve activities that boost your confidence, like finding somewhere to get your hair and nails done in a beauty directory.
3. Spiritual Self-Care
Spiritual self-care refers to the activities you do to nourish your soul. It’s about doing things that feed your soul in the same way that you’re feeding your physical and mental bodies.
Spiritual self-care does not necessarily involve religion. While it might mean attending a religious service, it could also be practicing gratitude or meditation. It might also be connecting with nature in various ways.
More Health to Feel Your Worth
There are three main types of self-care and engaging in all of them is important to your health and well-being. Of course, what activities you choose to promote self-care in these areas is completely up to you.
But let us help you with some options. Check out our health blog for some great ways to feed your physical, mental, and spiritual bodies.