Self care is any activity that you deliberately do in order to take care of your health. Self care is a priority, not a luxury as it sometimes is thought of. Not just the self-care that can feel like a luxury such as bubble baths, manicures, or other spa type activities. I do believe those are important too. But, I believe there are 8 areas of self care that all need to be tended to. Each one plays a part in managing your marvelous life.

The areas are physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, sensory, work, and finances.

When you love yourself and take care of yourself, you are more apt to be able to handle all areas of your life when challenges arise. You won’t feel overwhelmed, tired, or defeated.

For example, if you lose your job, you will still have your finances intact and you will have skills that you are working on to help you find a new one.

Or, if you find yourself alone after a breakup or divorce, you know you are loved, can ask for help from your friends, and are healthy enough to find the person you should truly be with (or not).

In fact, once one area of your life falls into alignment, the others start to self-organize too.

It’s important that you take care of yourself and carve out time to make it happen. Create a morning or evening routine to incorporate some of these ideas.

Pay attention to when areas of self care are lacking. Have a go to list of self care activities for each one.

8 Areas of Self Care

Physical

Your physical body needs to run efficiently. When you are ill, all of your attention is focused on getting better. Keep your body healthy so that you can live your beautiful life.

• Wake up earlier to fit in your self care in the morning.
• Take nature walks or runs. Move your body.
• Rest
• Stretch your muscles
• Limit Alcohol
• Make your bed and start your day on a positive note
• Drink water
• Prepare a healthy meal
• Re-arrange a room
• Go outside and play like a child

Emotional

Be aware of what your emotions are telling you. There are no good or bad emotions, they are simply helpful in discovering what you like and don’t like about your life.

• Let yourself feel your emotions
• Journal every morning to assess where your head is at.
• Watch your negative self talk
• Set boundaries so that you cannot be taken advantage of or be underappreciated.
• End toxic relationships in person and on social media
• Turn off social media for a day
• Watch something funny and laugh
• Get help from a life coach or therapist if you are struggling with negative emotions.

Spiritual

Develop your connection with your higher spirit. This doesn’t have to be religious.

• Visualize a happy day
• Meditate
• Pray
• Show and express gratitude
• Listen to your intuition when you are in the shower. Write it down when you get out!
• Discover some of your limiting beliefs
• Attend regular faith services

Intellectual

Keep your mental capabilities strong. Be responsible for your own personal development.

• Crossword Puzzles
• Read all kinds of genres.
• Clarify your goals in life. Know what your dreams are.
• Learn a new language.
• Learn to sew and become self sufficient.
• Be creative!
• Listen to an inspirational podcast or read an inspirational blog.
• Write a poem

Social

We are social beings and need contact to survive. Nurture your friendships and take care of your family. (We can’t do all of these things right now, but COVID-19 social distancing can’t last forever.)

• Forgive someone
• Reconnect with an old friend.
• Join a class to meet new people.
• Go to lunch with friends.
• Make small talk with strangers.
• Call your mom, dad, or grandparents just to say hi.
• Write a letter to a distant relative.
• Use your contacts to ask for help with what you are struggling with.

Sensory

Use all of your senses to experience all the world has to offer.

• Listen to music in the morning to set the tone for your day.
• Smell essential oils
• Wear comfy clothes
• Wrap up in a warm blanket
• Feel the warmth of the sun.
• Take a hot bath
• Get some fresh air and walk barefoot on the grass
• Pamper yourself with a manicure, pedicure, or massage.
• Go to a theater by yourself for a movie and buttery popcorn.
• Attend a local music performance.
• Go to the beach and listen to the waves, feel the sand and taste the salt of the ocean.

Work

Make sure you are treating yourself well with your career. Your business doesn’t run without you!

• Time management includes taking breaks, delegating, staying organized, and stopping to spend time with family.
• Know your worth.
• Set boundaries for interruptions and distractions.
• Clarify your goals. Know what you are striving for.
• Get out if it is not making you happy.
• Pick the most important thing to do each day and do it first!
• Ask for help if you need it.
• Don’t be so hard on yourself, watch your negative self talk in this area too.

Finances

Be comfortable with your finances. This can be the most stressful part of your life and impact your overall well being. Have control of your financial situation.

• Save enough money to support you in emergencies.
• Make a budget with your current income.
• Create a plan to pay off debts.
• Follow your budget.
• Invest in your wellness.
• Carry extra change to handout as needed.
• Get involved with a charity you feel strongly about.
• Listen to financial podcasts to learn how to manage your money.
• Be aware of any money beliefs you are holding on to that may not be true.
• Know that there is enough money for everyone. Not everyone needs the same amount. Don’t limit your abundance.

Find Balance in These 8 Areas of Self Care

Try to find some balance in these 8 areas of self care. When you take care of yourself you are in a better place to take care of others and be there for others.

Notice where you are lacking in any of these areas of self care and try to improve it. You can’t always be completely balanced but paying attention to your marvelous life and doing self care is a start.

“Self-care is also a discipline because it’s not something you do once in a while when the world gets crazy. It’s what you do every day, every week, month in and month out. Taking care of yourself in a way that doesn’t require you to “indulge” in order to restore balance. It’s making the commitment to stay healthy and balanced as a regular practice.” Path Forward.com