Self-Care and why it's important
I'm delighted you've decided to take charge of your personal well-being. Today, you can unwind, recharge, and prioritize your mental health. Because, in this fast-paced world, self-care should always come first.
Self-care is the bedrock of our well-being and an essential component of health, happiness and overall life satisfaction. To truly feel refreshed and rejuvenated in a holistic manner, it's critical to attend to each of the eight areas of self-care, and it's never too late to start prioritizing it. Today, we'll look at what are the 8 areas of self-care and why they're important for your overall health and peace of mind.
What exactly is Self-Care?
As you squander the last hours of the weekend, you have this sense of impending doom as Monday approaches. This frequently elicits a range of emotions about the upcoming week, the majority of which are negative.
It's all too easy in our fast-paced world to get caught up in work and stress and forget to take care of ourselves. That's where self-care comes in: it's taking a day or two, to take a well-deserved break, recharge, and reset.
Consider it a day to do things that make you happy and feel good, such as meditating, spending time with loved ones, or experimenting with a new hobby. Trust me when I say that devoting even one day a week to yourself can do wonders for your mental and physical health. And who knows, maybe a little self-care will make all the difference in how you handle work and stress the rest of the week.
Here at Potential For Growth, we encourage a holistic view to self care, hence the question, what are the 8 areas of self-care? This “wheel of life” view covers all the areas in your life and should lead to an improvement in your overall life satisfaction.
“Self-care is so much more than a beauty regimen or an external thing you do. It has to start within your heart to know what you need to navigate your life. A pedicure doesn’t last, but meditating every day does.”
Carrie-Anne Moss
Related article: Daily habits that kill confidence
Benefits of Self-Care
Self-care activities can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while also promoting feelings of happiness, peace, and fulfilment .
Setting aside time for self-care can help you improve your emotional regulation, boost your confidence and self-esteem, and improve your ability to deal with life's challenges.
A self-care routine also promotes a growth mindset and assists you in prioritizing your own well-being, resulting in increased self-awareness and personal growth. Overall, self-care is critical for maintaining a healthy balance of emotional and physical well-being, and it is an important tool in promoting a happier, more fulfilling life.
What are the 8 areas of Self-Care?
Today, I'd like to introduce you to the eight fundamental aspects of self-care that can assist you in achieving the personal well-being you seek.
- Physical self-care
- Emotional self-care
- Psychological self-care
- Spiritual self-care
- Social self-care
- Professional self-care
- Environmental self-care
- Financial self-care
It should be noted that these areas are not separate and may overlap. Mindfulness, for example, can have an impact on both your emotional and spiritual well-being.
Now, to answer what are the 8 areas of self-care? Let's go over each one and look at some practical strategies to prioritize self-care.
Physical self-care
This refers to taking care of your physical health through exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep, and preventative medical care. This is another self care practice which should be done daily. Participate in physical activities that you enjoy, such as yoga, hiking, swimming or dancing etc.
Or you can change things up and get your exercise in a more practical way. Examples include, taking the stairs instead of the lift, cycling to and from work or parking far from the mall/ shop and walking. This can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, and improve your overall health.
Begin by creating attainable exercise goals, such as going for a walk or attending a yoga session once a week. Make healthier eating choices, such as including more fruits and vegetables in your diet, and ensure you get enough sleep each night. Remember to stay up with preventative care by making regular doctor's appointments.
And don’t forget, living with physical pain, is not a recipe for long term holistic self care. If you are having arthritis, back pain, muscle pain, etc, it can be easily treatable with natural remedies.
“If I’m not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me”
- Maya Angelou.
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Emotional self-care
Emotional self-care involves managing and regulating your emotions in a healthy way. This practice will be different for each of us. Choose activities which resonate with your soul. If the thought of taking a hike in a forest makes you break out in a sweat, simply don’t do it!
The management and ultimately, the reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression is a major goal with emotional self care. With many people embracing natural healing and remedies.
For emotional self care, it is advisable to make time each day to engage in self care practices. Use a self care journal to plan out activities for the week. This could be something as simple as sitting in the McDonald’s parking lot having a coffee at your lunch break or as adventurous as jogging around your office building.
Choose an activity that will allow you to process your thoughts and feelings, or to be mindful (meditation).
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Psychological self-care
The practice of psychological self-care comprises maintaining your mental wellbeing and learning effective stress and anxiety management techniques. See self care examples below.
Therapy is a great way to take care of your mental health. Counselling, commonly referred to as psychotherapy, or therapy, can be a very helpful method of psychological self-care. Individuals can explore their thoughts, feelings, and actions in therapy with a mental health professional.
The purpose of therapy is to assist patients in better understanding and controlling their emotions, enhancing their interpersonal connections, and overcoming any trauma from the past or present they may be experiencing.
Spiritual self-care
A sense of purpose and a connection to something bigger than oneself can be found through spirituality. It can be exhibited through religious practices, mindfulness exercises, or just being in nature.
Everyone's version of this will be unique, but some suggestions include developing a daily meditation routine, going for a hike, or learning more about a religion or spiritual tradition that speaks to you.
Social self-care
Relationships that are strong and healthy are essential to our well-being. Social self-care entails cultivating existing relationships and seeking out new ones that bring you joy and contentment.
When individuals engage in social self-care, they can improve their self-esteem and confidence, feel appreciated, and have a sense of belonging.
Make time for the individuals in your life who make you happy. And, whether it's joining a group, volunteering, or taking a class, don't be afraid to reach out and build new relationships. This also alleviates loneliness in both you and those to whom you reach out. Who knows, you might make lifelong friends.
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
— Paulo Coelho
Professional self-care
Taking care of your work life is part of professional self-care. Setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care during the workday, and achieving a healthy work-life balance are all examples of this.
Set realistic work boundaries and schedule time for self-care during the workday. This could be as simple as taking a five-minute stretch or meditation break. Also, disconnect from work when you're not on the clock to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Environmental self-care
Environmental self-care entails taking care of your physical surroundings. Cleaning and decluttering, decorating your space, and creating a safe and comfortable living environment are all examples of this.
Surround yourself with items that make you happy and comfortable. Decorate your space with plants and photos, declutter your living space, and incorporate scents and sounds that bring you peace and calm.
Financial self-care
Taking care of your finances is part of financial self-care. This can include developing and adhering to a budget, making wise investments, and putting money aside for a rainy day fund.
Begin by making a budget that allows you to save money while also meeting your needs and desires. And, if necessary, seek financial advice, whether from a financial planner or a trusted friend or family member.
Self Care Ideas
Here are a few self-care ideas to incorporate into your weekly routine.
Mindfulness Meditation
Set aside time each Sunday to practice mindfulness meditation. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase overall happiness.
Related post: Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know
Spend Time with Loved Ones
Spend quality time with family and friends. This can aid in the strengthening of relationships, the reduction of stress, and the enhancement of overall happiness and life satisfaction. A family dinner, a picnic in the park or simply watching a movie together works well.
Pamper Yourself
Make time every Sunday (or any day which is suitable) to pamper yourself. Taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage, or treating yourself to a spa day are all examples of this. A home spa day is a good option. Do the face mask, nails or ask your significant other to give you a massage.
Journaling
Keep a journal in which you can write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This can assist you in processing your emotions, reflecting on your progress, and identifying areas of your life that need to be improved. Use a daily journal to express your thoughts and feelings. This is a great way to “vent” your feelings, especially if you feel that you have no one to talk too or that you are often misunderstood.
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Reading
The incredible value of reading as a necessary life skill has long been recognized, and undoubtedly, it has long been a favourite hobby for many. Unfortunately, with the rapid growth of electronic technology, the reading practice, particularly among the young, is declining at an alarming rate, and the decline in language skills, particularly writing skills, is being reflected at all levels of society.
Benefits of reading include, an increase in brain connectivity, it boosts your vocabulary and comprehension, stress is reduced while it prevents cognitive decline as you get older. This can start at the relatively young age of 25 years.
So we have answered the question, “ what are the 8 areas of self-care?”, but do we need to classify all self care efforts into one or the other of the areas? Absolutely not, the more important thing to remember is when you address each area of self care, you will likely find more peace as you probably won’t feel as if you are lacking in any one area.
Related Post: 55 Best Self Care Sunday Ideas for Your Perfect Recharge
Conclusion
By incorporating these self care ideas into your routine, you can take control of your well-being at all levels in a holistic manner. The act of self care, in itself, is a very life affirming practice. In fact, it is a necessity for a happy and fulfilling life. So take a step back, take a deep breath and prioritize your own well-being. So, don’t you fret, answering “ what are the 8 areas of self-care?” is less important. It is more important that you can create a well-rounded self-care routine that suits your needs and preferences.
