Let’s dive into the full spectrum of self-care, embracing physical, mental, social, emotional, and environmental aspects.
The self-care movement is still going strong, and we fully support it. It’s a genuine method to enhance or preserve your well-being. However, self-care extends beyond just bubble baths, candles, and face masks—although those are undeniably enjoyable.
By identifying which area of our life needs extra attention, we can more effectively establish a self-care habit or routine that truly benefits us. For instance, if you’re feeling a bit isolated, soaking in a bath alone might not be the best remedy. Instead, self-care could involve reaching out to an old friend with a phone call—even if it’s from the comfort of your tub.
Here’s a guide to exploring various forms of self-care for all areas of life.
What is self-care?
Just as we’ve coined terms like #situationship and #finfluencer, it seems the internet community is collectively crafting the definition of self-care as we explore it.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) offers an official definition: Self-care includes practices that help individuals, families, and communities to:
- Promote health
- Maintain health
- Prevent disease
- Cope with illness and disability
According to a 2021 study, self-care in a healthcare context involves the ability to manage oneself through:
- Awareness
- Self-control
- Self-reliance
Clearly, self-care plays a crucial role in achieving a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life. Although research on self-care is still emerging, the findings are encouraging.
For instance, a 2017 study revealed that self-care habits may aid in disease prevention. Additionally, a 2018 study found that medical students who engaged in self-care practices reported lower stress levels and an improved overall quality of life.
Types of self-care
I don’t mean to lecture you (no quizzes here, promise), but it’s helpful to be aware of the five types of self-care:
- Physical self-care
- Mental self-care
- Emotional self-care
- Environmental self-care
- Social self-care
By pinpointing the specific type of self-care we need, we can better focus on truly nurturing ourselves.
Physical self-care
Physical self-care encompasses any activity that supports your body’s well-being. Whether you’re feeling stiff from sitting at a desk all day or need to recover after an intense workout, anything that benefits your physical health fits into this category.
Here are some physical self-care activities you might consider:
- Exercise: Whether it’s going for a walk, hiking, biking, doing Zumba, playing tennis, or doing jump squats in your living room.
- Staying hydrated by drinking from your handy water bottle.
- Treating yourself to a nutritious salad and smoothie.
- Getting a massage.
- Trying acupuncture.
- Dancing—perhaps alone in your room in your underwear.
- Taking a nap when you’re feeling tired (yes, naps count as self-care).
- Ensuring you schedule enough time for restful sleep.
You might also want to evaluate your physical well-being with these questions:
- How does your body feel right now?
- What does your body need?
- What does your body desire?
Mental self-care
Mental self-care focuses on activities that nourish or give your mind a chance to rest and reset. Since mental health is essential for overall well-being, consider trying:
- Listening to an audiobook or podcast.
- Learning a new language or acquiring a new skill.
- Visiting a museum.
- Writing, be it poetry or a letter to your future self (grocery lists don’t count!).
- Engaging in mentally stimulating games like Sudoku or chess.
- Solving puzzles.
- Taking a break from social media.
- Reading a book.
- Cultivating a positive mental attitude (PMA for the win!).
You can also gauge your mental health by asking yourself:
- What thoughts are currently going through your mind?
- Are these thoughts meaningful or relevant? If so, how can you address them?
- If not, what would you prefer to focus your thoughts on instead?
Emotional self-care
Emotional self-care involves anything that helps you process, deal with, or reflect on your emotions. Whether you’re experiencing an emotional rollercoaster or feeling a bit numb, taking care of your emotions can help you find peace and balance in life.
Consider these emotional self-care activities:
- Seeing a therapist (people are right: therapy can be truly effective).
- Talking to a loved one about your feelings.
- Journaling about your emotions.
- Channeling your emotions into creative outlets like painting, dancing, sewing, or making TikTok videos.
- Meditating.
- Practicing gratitude.
- Reciting affirmations or mantras to uplift your mood.
- Doing things that bring you joy (pro tip: start by journaling about what makes you happy).
- Connecting with your inner child.
- Forgiving yourself and others.
- Letting yourself cry when needed.
Wondering where you stand emotionally? Ask yourself:
- What emotions or sensations are you feeling right now? Try to be as specific as possible.
- What kinds of emotions would you prefer to experience instead? What might help you achieve that?
- How can you release any undesirable emotions? (e.g., through art, journaling, or therapy)
Environmental self-care
Everyone deserves a safe, secure, and comfortable home environment—even when you’re not actually at home. Environmental self-care pertains to your living space and might involve:
- Making your bed each morning.
- Decorating in a way that brings you joy (pro tip: twinkle lights aren’t just for kids!).
- Taking a vacation or enjoying a staycation.
- Organizing and cleaning your space (or perhaps even purifying the energy with some sage).
- Working from home occasionally, or visiting a coworking space or coffee shop for a change of scenery.
- Listening to soothing music.
- Lighting candles.
- Adding some house plants to your decor.
- Investing in functional items that simplify your life (like a closet organizer or an instant coffee maker).
- Setting up your environment to encourage healthy habits (e.g., displaying a fruit bowl on the kitchen table or creating a cozy meditation nook with pillows).
Consider these questions concerning your environment:
- How does your everyday space make you feel? Is it functional? Does it meet your needs?
- What does your ideal environment look like?
- What small changes can you make to transform your space today?
Social self-care
Even if you consider yourself #teamintrovert, it’s undeniable that humans need connection. We’re social creatures, and research indicates that interacting with others can significantly enhance our overall health and wellness.
Here are some ways to engage in social self-care:
- Scheduling regular phone calls with loved ones.
- Planning a date night with your partner.
- Organizing a game night with friends.
- Spending time cuddling with your pet (or someone else’s).
- Sending handwritten letters to your BFF.
- Volunteering alongside others.
- Joining a team or club.
- Striking up a conversation with a friendly stranger, even if it’s just in the checkout line.
- Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries.
- Limiting your social media use with a timer.
- Declining social events when you need time alone.
- Reaching out to a friend for support.
- Creating an in-person or online community for like-minded individuals.
To evaluate your social well-being, ask yourself:
- Who can I rely on when I need help?
- Which relationships do I want to nurture?
- Are there any relationships that might not be serving me well?
Other types of self-care
Just like most aspects of life, self-care doesn’t fit neatly into defined categories. There are several other forms that might resonate with you, including:
- Spiritual self-care: This can involve going to a place of worship, spending time in nature, meditating, or journaling about the universe and your connection to it. You don’t need to be religious to engage in spiritual self-care—it’s ultimately about what nourishes your soul.
- Practical self-care: Sometimes, taking care of your future self is key. This might involve investing in a personal development course, setting and adhering to goals, or streamlining daily tasks with the help of an app, a new planner, or even hiring an assistant.
- Financial self-care: Since finances are an inevitable part of life—and often a source of stress—financial self-care is crucial. This might involve reassessing and redefining your money-related beliefs (e.g., changing “I can’t earn much with my degree” to “Plenty of high-paying opportunities exist for me,” or “I can further my education or skills to increase my earnings”). Other practices include setting aside “fun money,” hiring a financial advisor, or using an app to simplify saving or investing.
- Personal self-care: This involves activities that help you get to know yourself better. Whether it’s exploring new music to see how you respond, answering journal prompts, or listing what you love and why, it’s all about self-discovery. Why not take yourself on a date? You might uncover a new passion in the process.
Ultimately, self-care is whatever it means to you.
Takeaway
Self-care manifests in various forms, such as physical, mental, emotional, social, and environmental. By identifying which areas of your life need support, you can introduce new habits to enhance your quality of life.
Remember, these changes don’t need to occur all at once—small steps can lead to significant self-care benefits. For example, you might engage in emotional self-care by discussing your feelings with a loved one or tend to your physical health by dancing around your room in the morning.
Whatever self-care practices you adopt, the key is ensuring they cater to your individual well-being.
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