There are moments in life that can be quit overwhelming and it is in those times that we easily forget to take care of ourselves .
But self-care is a priority for our own wellbeing that has an impact on the wellbeing of the entire world.
So what is self-care exactly? You probably heard about putting your oxygen mask first in the plane in case of emergency before helping the person beside you. Well, self-care is about being as kind to yourself as you would be to others. It’s partly about knowing when your resources are running low, and stepping back to replenish them rather than letting them all drain away.
Top 5 Benefits Of Self Care
One of the main excuses people make for ignoring articles about self-care is that they just don’t have time. The great news is that there are many different self-care practices, and none of them are especially difficult or require a lot of planning. The trick is to find some that you genuinely enjoy and that fit with your life and values. Once you start adding emotional self-care to your life, you’re likely to become fiercely protective of that time and wonder how you ever managed without it!
Better productivity. When you learn how to say “no” to things that over-extend you and start making time for things that matter more, you slow life down in a wonderful way. This brings your goals into sharper focus and helps you to concentrate on what you’re doing.
Improved resistance to disease. There is evidence that most self-care activities activate your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). What this means is that your body goes into a restful, rejuvenating mode, helping it to fortify its immune system. So, with better self-care often comes fewer colds, cases of flu and upset stomachs.
Enhanced self-esteem. When you regularly carve out time that’s only about being good to yourself and meeting your own needs, you send a positive message to your subconscious. Specifically, you treat yourself like you matter and have intrinsic value. This can go a long way toward discouraging negative self talk and your critical inner voice.
Increased self-knowledge. Practicing self-care requires thinking about what you really love to do. The exercise of figuring out what makes you feel passionate and inspired can help you understand yourself a lot better. Sometimes, this can even spark a change in career or a reprioritization of previously abandoned hobbies.
More to give. When you’re good to yourself, you might think you’re being selfish. In truth, self-care gives you the resources you need to be compassionate to others as well. Giving compassion is a bit like filling a bucket; you can’t fill someone else’s if you don’t have enough of your own!
Types Of Self Care
Here are the five main categories of self-care, along with explanations of how they help you. We’ll also look at specific self-care examples within categories, which should get you thinking about activities you’ll particularly like.
1. Sensory
Sensory self-care is all about helping to calm your mind.
When you are able to tune into the details of the sensations all around you, it’s easier tolive in the moment present. And when you’re in the present, you can more effectively let go of resentment related to the past or anxieties about the future.
When you think about practicing sensory self-care, consider all of your senses: touch, smell, sound, and sight.
Most people are more responsive to one than the others, so ask yourself what that sense might be for you.
The following examples of sensory self-care involve at least one sense, but often more.
Sensory Self-Care Ideas
Cuddling up under a soft blanket.
Going to the countryside and focusing on the smell of the air.
Watching the flames of a candle or a fire.
Feeling the water on your skin during a hot bath or shower.
Focusing on the movements of your own breathing. Lying down and listening to music with your eyes closed.
Sitting in the heat of the afternoon sun.
Having a small square of the most delicious chocolate.
Walking barefoot in the grass.
Having a massage with essential oils.
Holding a pet in your arms.
2. Emotional
When it comes to your emotional health, one of the best self-care tips is to make sure you fully engage with your emotions. When you face them head-on, this actually helps with stress.
You may feel tempted to push down feelings like sadness or anger, but it’s healthy to feel them, accept them, and move on.
Remember that emotions are not “good” or “bad” in themselves. You are not blameworthy for the emotions you feel; only how you behave in response to them.
On this theme, consider any one or more of the following if you want to practice better emotional self-care…
Emotional Self-Care Ideas
Keep a daily journal, and be totally honest about your feelings.
See a therapist, even if it’s just for 8-10 sessions of general personal development.
Write a list of “feeling words” to expand your emotional vocabulary.
Make time to be with a friend or family member who truly understands you.
Let yourself cry when you need to.
Deliberately encourage yourself to laugh with old memories or funny videos.
Sing along to the song that best expresses your current emotions.
3. Spiritual
If you’re not religious, you might be tempted to skim-read this section or skip it altogether.
However, spiritual self-care isn’t just about believing in a deity. It’s applicable to atheists and agonistics as much as to religious people.
Spiritual self-care is about getting in touch with your values and what really matters to you.
Self-care tips for depression often stress that developing a sense of purpose is vital to your recovery. Below are some versatile examples that can help you with this.
Spiritual Self-Care Ideas
Keep up a daily meditation or mindfulness practice.
Read poetry.
Walk in nature and reflecting on the beauty around you.
Make a daily list of 5-10 things that make you feel grateful.
Be creative, whether through art, music, writing or something else entirely.
Make a list of 5-10 things that make you feel alive, then ask yourself how you can better incorporate these things into your life.
Say affirmation that ground your sense of self and purpose.
Go on a trip with the sole purpose of photographing things that inspire you.
4. Physical
The importance of self-care definitely extends to purely physical aspects of your health. Physical activity is vital not only for your bodily well-being but also for helping you let off steam.
You might think there’s nothing fun or self-compassionate about going to the gym, but that’s far too narrow a way of thinking about physical self-care. Instead, broaden the concept by thinking about the following lists.
Physical Self-Care Ideas
Dance to your favorite songs
Do yoga. Even if you’ve never tried it, there are poses that are perfect for beginners.
Join a class and learn a new sport.
Go running with your dog (or a friend’s)!
Cycle through the countryside.
Simply go for a walk.
In addition, remember that physical self-care is as much about the things you don’t do as the things you do! So:
Nap when you need to. Just 20 minutes can make you feel mentally and physically refreshed.
Say “no” to invitations when you’re simply too tired to enjoy them.
Don’t push yourself to do your exercise routine when you’re run down or unwell.
Commit to 7-9 hours of sleep per night, barring exceptional circumstances.
5. Social
Finally, social self-care is another category that’s important for us all.
It might look different depending on whether you’re an introvert or extrovert. However, connecting with other people is necessary for happiness for a large diversity of people.
It helps you to understand that you’re not alone. Plus, it can also give us a sense of being fully “seen” by others. This can, in particular, help us combat loneliness and isolation.
Social self-care isn’t about just doing things with others for the sake of it, but about choosing to do things with people who really make you feel good.(
Social Self-Care Ideas
Make a date to have lunch or dinner with a great friend.
Write an email to someone who lives far away, but who you miss.
Reach out to someone you like but haven’t seen in a while
consider joining a group of people you share interests with
Stop socializing with those who undermine or disempower you.
Strike up a conversation with someone interesting.
Join a support group for people who struggle with the same things you do.
Sign up for a class to learn something and meet new people at the same time.
So practice act of self-care that resonate with you EVERY DAY, you will feel more connected to yourself and to the world around you.
“Self care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.”
Katie Reed
