Even if you observe all the stress relief activities available, it would still prove futile if you are not taking good care of yourself.
Case in point: meditation would be useless if you are not getting sufficient sleep.
In fact, if you try to meditate without getting enough sleep, you can end up dozing off because your need for sleep is not taken care of accordingly.
In the same manner, even if you hit the gym now and then, you still won’t be able to fully reap all the benefits if you are not fuelling your body with healthy and nutritious food.
Self-Care in a Nutshell
Self-care is defined as “a multidimensional and multifaceted process of purposeful engagement in strategies that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being.”
Self-care is also crucial if you want to build resilience especially during these trying times.
Undeniably, if you have taken the necessary steps to care for your mind and body, you are in a better position to live your best life.
Unfortunately, many people approach self-care as a luxury and not a priority.
As a result, you often end up feeling tired, overwhelmed, and ill-equipped to handle life’s unforeseen challenges.
If you want to take better care of yourself, start by assessing how you are looking after yourself in the different key areas of your life.
Area 1: Physical Self-Care
If you want to accomplish all the things you want, you need to start with the basic—taking care of your body.
After all, you won’t be able to do anything if you are lying in bed sick.
Physical self-care includes getting sufficient sleep, eating nutritious food, and exercising regularly.
Other ways you can look after yourself accordingly include attending doctor’s appointments and taking your maintenance medications religiously.
To assess the areas you need to improve, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I getting enough exercise?
- Am I taking good care of myself?
- Am I fuelling my body well with healthy and nutritious foods?
- Am I getting adequate sleep and rest?
Area 2: Social Self-Care
Socialization is another key to self-care.
Unfortunately, it’s easy for your socialisation to take a backseat when life gets busy.
However, close connections are crucial to your health and overall well-being.
One of the best ways to cultivate and maintain close relationships would be to invest time and energy into building relationships with other people.
When assessing your social self-care, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I getting enough face-to-face time with my friends?
- Am I nurturing my relationships with my loved ones and friends?
Area 3: Mental Self-Care
The way you think and the things you fill your mind with can have a massive impact on your psychological well-being.
Mental self-care includes doing things that keep your mind sharp like puzzles and mind games.
You can also learn about subjects that fascinate you.
You can also watch inspirational movies, listen to great podcasts, or read books that motivate you to improve every aspect of your life.
When taking care of your mental health, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I making time for activities that stimulate me mentally?
- Am I doing productive activities to ensure I stay healthy mentally?
Area 4: Spiritual Self-Care
Some studies indicate that a lifestyle that integrates spirituality or religion is generally more beneficial.
However, nurturing your spirit does not always require religion.
It can require anything that can help you develop a better and deeper sense of understanding, meaning, and connection with the universe.
As you take care of your spiritual life, ask yourself the following questions:
- What questions am I asking myself about my life and experience?
- Am I engaging in spiritual practices that I find fulfilling?
Area 5: Emotional Self-Care
It’s crucial to have healthy coping skills if you want to deal with uncomfortable and stressful emotions like sadness, anxiety, and anger.
Emotional self-care can include activities that help you acknowledge and express your feelings on a regular basis.
When working on your emotional needs, consider the following questions:
- Do I have healthy ways to process my emotions?
- Am I incorporating activities that can help me reset and recharge?
Over to You
Self-care is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. That said, your self-care plan should be tailored based on your needs and what your current circumstances are. When you discover that you are neglecting a certain area of your life, make the required changes. You need not tackle everything at once. Start with small steps until you are able to take care of your needs better.