Are You Aware of the Five Types of Self-Care?
If you break down Self-Care into 5 categories or types, you will find it easier to identify exactly which areas you need to focus on.
PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Physical self-care involves activities that will improve your physical health. Examples of some of the activities are, a healthy diet, staying hydrated, exercise, enough rest, practice good hygiene. The result will be that you feel ‘sharp’, motivated, healthy, and happy. Sometimes it is simple things, that is having the biggest impact.
EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Emotional self-care is caring for your emotional needs, by identifying and nurturing your feelings, your conscious inner state, and your intellect.
Having an awareness of how to take more care of ourselves emotionally can serve you well when things get difficult. This type of care will look different for each one of us.
Do not suppress your emotions and ask yourself what causes these emotions. This knowledge will empower you, to focus on the positive ‘triggers’ and reduce the negative ones.
You will have to learn how to put your own needs first, without being selfish. You will have to start believing in your own abilities and capabilities.
Mistakes are an inevitable part of life and they help us grow and become better. Each time you make a mistake, acknowledge where you went wrong, and work to improve it in the future. Most important of all, forgive yourself!
PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF-CARE
Psychological self-care can also be called, mental self-care. Mental self-care includes doing things that keep your mind sharp. Activities that help declutter your mind and reduce your stress levels.
Learn more about a topic that really interests you. Do something you love, for example in the form of a hobby. Spoil and/or pamper yourself. Feed your mind positive thoughts. Make a list of all the things that you are grateful for.
SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
Spiritual self-care is the activity we engage in to find and nurture a sense of connection to a Higher Power (God) and meaning in our lives. It all comes down to self-love and compassion for ourselves and others.
Understanding who is and what drives you can be a constant struggle. Goals and aspirations may change throughout the years, but there is always a central focus that is the main motivation behind everything you do. The goal is to identify what this is and honor it with what you focus on in your daily life. Identifying your true self starts with honesty about what you love and what gets you excited about life.
PROFESSIONAL SELF-CARE
Professional self-care is self-care that is related to your work life. That includes practicing self-care while at work and adopting self-care practices that lead to a healthy work-life balance. It is meant to reduce overall stress regarding your career.
So to be able to practice self-care, directly benefits individuals, their families, and society.
Peace, Love & Kindness,
