Self-care is all about investing in your health and your peace. It is extremely easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day-to-day. It is increasingly more and more important to prioritize taking care of yourself in ways that you find physically, mentally, and emotionally beneficial. Regularly practicing self-care can reduce burnout in the workplace and in the home, reduce symptoms of depression, improve relationships, and increase feelings of happiness and productivity. Self care can also help you connect with your mind and body. Self-care can look very different from person to person. Don’t underestimate self-care!

Types of self-care

1. Physical self-care: Setting time aside to participate in activities that promote physical health and well-being is a lot easier said than done. Even if it is thirty minutes of movement or a short walk outside, moving our body is crucial. Plus, intentional activity can help you sleep at night! And everyone can benefit from a good night’s sleep! It doesn’t always have to be exercise. Even making sure you are brushing your teeth or developing a skin care routine, it is self-care!

2. Emotional self-care: Stress-management techniques, seeking support in friends and family, and finding and engaging in activities that fulfill you have endless benefits. And for many people, finding time to be alone can be self-care! Finding a healthy balance of spending time with others and by yourself is necessary. Also, when you invest in taking care of yourself in ways that matter to you, it can lead to more self-confidence.

3. Mental self-care: Your mental health is very important to nurture. This can look like practicing boundaries with others, seeking professional help when needed, finding activities that bring you calmness and peace. Learn to say “no” to invitations that you don’t truly want to partake in. Do things you enjoy, talk with a therapist, and learn to listen to your body.  

4. Spiritual self-care: This involves practices that nourish one’s spiritual well-being, such as meditation, prayer, and connecting with nature. 

5. Social self-care: Nurturing your relationships with others, practicing effective communication with others, participating in community activities, can all build a sense of importance outside of yourself and or your work. By taking care of yourself, you’re also taking care of the relationships you value!

But how do I actually start to practice self-care?

Making time for self-care that works for you can be difficult, but here are some tips! 

1. Assess your needs: Identify areas of your life where you feel stressed or overworked, and consider what self-care practices could help you manage those feelings.

2. Make a list: Write down a list of self-care activities that you’re interested in, and consider which ones would be the most practical for you to incorporate into your life.

3. Prioritize: Decide which self-care practices are the most important for you to focus on. 

4. Set realistic goals: Start small! Sometimes if you try to dive right in to introducing something new into your daily life, it can be overwhelming and you might find it difficult to stick to. Determine how often you would like to engage in each self-care activity and set realistic goals for yourself.

5. Routine Routine Routine: Incorporate self-care activities into your daily or weekly schedule, and try to make them a regular part of your routine.

6. Be flexible, Be forgiving: Remember that self-care is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s okay to adjust your plan as needed.

7. Track your progress: Keep track of your self-care practices and take note of any changes in your well-being.

Self-care is like planting a seed of love and care within yourself. Nurturing it helps future-you! The more you tend to it, the more it blooms, and the better you feel. Incorporate self-care into your daily routine the best you can and invest in yourself. You deserve it!