In a world where we’re constantly being told that we need to work harder and faster, it’s easy to feel like the only way to get ahead is for you to be at your very best. But do you know what’s even better than being great at your job, or having a happy marriage? Taking care of yourself! Self care isn’t just about indulging in bubble baths and massages—it’s about making sure that all aspects of who you are feel taken care of. Here are some examples:
Physical self care
Physical self care is the most obvious type of self care. It’s the easiest one to get started with, but can be very hard to maintain as a habit. Physical self care means taking care of your body by eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly. That might sound like it’s pretty simple–and it is! But if you’re like me (and probably many other people), taking care of yourself physically takes a backseat to all the other responsibilities that life throws at us every day. You have work deadlines or school assignments due soon; there are errands that need running; someone invited you out for drinks after work tomorrow night…there are so many things competing for our attention! But if we want our lives and relationships with others around us to thrive over time–and not just survive–we must make time for physical self care in our daily lives as well as occasional breaks from technology when possible (more on this later).
Emotional self care
Emotional self care is the most important of the four types of self care. If you’re not taking care of your mental health, it will be hard to take care of anything else. Emotional self care involves learning how to deal with stress, anxiety and depression. It also includes learning how to manage anger and grief–two emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming if you don’t know how to deal with them in healthy ways.
Social self care
Social self care is about being kind to yourself. It’s about taking time to relax and unwind. It’s also about making time for the people around you, whether that means your friends and family or just some strangers who need a smile. Social self care can look like anything from going out with friends or family members on the weekend, where everyone gets together at someone’s house and eats food while watching Netflix shows they’re all interested in but haven’t gotten around to watching yet (or maybe even ones they’ve already seen). Or it can be something more casual–like going for walks around town with your favorite pet or hanging out at the local park during sunset hours when there aren’t many people around so that you can enjoy nature without having any distractions.
Spiritual self care
Spiritual self care is the practice of being present with yourself and your life. It’s about taking time to reflect on what matters most, whether that’s spirituality or something else entirely. Spiritual self care can include:
- Praying or meditating
- Spending time in nature (like hiking)
- Reading books that inspire you
I hope this post has given you some ideas for how to take better care of yourself. Remember, it’s not about doing everything perfectly–it’s about making small changes that will make a big difference in your life. And remember that there are many ways to practice self care: these four types are just a few examples!
