In life, everything begins with a plan, self-care included. While most people want to be there to help loved ones, itโs also important to take care of yourself.ย
Have you ever heard of the saying, โpreparation is keyโ? This saying is definitely true when it comes to trying to add self-care into our lives.ย ย
When creating a self-care plan that works best for you, it is important to consider all the different aspects of self-care:ย physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social & sensory.ย
1.Physical Self Careย ย
A physical self-care plan should consist of things that promote healthy livingย on a daily basis.ย For starters, you want to make sure you get a good nightโs sleep. When you get a good nightโs sleep, you are better able to conquer the day by being more productive and handling stress better. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep.ย ย
You also want to aim to eat a healthy diet and get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Healthy eating and exercise are vital to reducing your risk of diseases and adding years to your life.ย
Making it a point to take care of your physical health will only help to add moreย qualityย days to your life.ย
The key to self-care is, it should be something that you enjoy.ย Once it starts to feel like an obligation, then it may start being stressful, as opposed to reducing them.ย
SOME IDEAS:ย
- Yogaย
- Eating more veggies and fruitsย
- Drinking more waterย
- Going for a walk during your lunch hour
- Going for a runย
- Going for a bike rideย ย
2. Mental/Emotional Self Care
While your physical health is certainly important and a vital part of your self-care plan, you shouldnโt forget about your mental health.ย
Mental or emotional self-care is about being in tune with your emotions.ย Itโs okay to cry, to laugh, to feel angry โ itโs okay to feel exactly the way you are feeling.ย Emotional self-care helps you learn to have more compassion for yourself and your emotions.ย
SOME IDEAS:ย
- Journaling โ writing down our feelings can help us better understand themย
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation โ learning to be more present or in the momentย
- Setting more boundaries โ itโs okay to say noย
- Being creative โ express your emotions through painting, writing, cooking, etc.ย
- Starting a gratitude journal โ focusing on what youโre grateful for can sometimes help put things into better perspectiveย
- Working on changing your negative self-talk โ practice replacing the negative with positive self-talkย
3.ย Spiritual Self-Careย
Spiritual Care gives you a greater understanding of life beyond yourself. It nourishes your soul and helps you find inner peace.ย ย
This doesnโtย necessarilyย mean anything religious, although it can be for some.ย ย
This connection to something bigger than yourself can help you find purpose and meaning in life. It can give you the courage to push through when times get difficult and inspire hope time and time again.ย
SOME IDEAS:ย
- Practicing meditationย
- Spending time in natureย
- Prayingย
- Writing in a gratitude journal
Donating to a charity orย cause you believe in
4.Intellectual Self-Careย
This type of self-care includes doing something that you enjoy doing that nourishes and challenges your mind. Something that expands your knowledge.ย ย ย
Intellectual self-care can involve figuring out what your current talents are and strengthening them. It may also include learning a new skill or help you find a career path, something you are passionate about.ย
SOME IDEAS:ย
- Reading a bookย
- Completing a puzzleย
- Learning a new languageย
- Taking a course on something that interests youย
- Watching a documentary on a topic youโre interested inย
5. Social Self-Careย
As human beings, we are social by nature We like to feel connected with others. This type of self-care may look different for introverts and extroverts โ because our levels of comfort in social situations differ. But a connection is essential to us all. Having a support system of individuals, we can trust, and nourishing these relationships canย definitelyย be a form of self-care.ย
SOME IDEAS:ย
- Spending time with loved onesย
- Going to lunch with a friendย J
- Joining a yoga class, or any class that interests you and that you can meet new people
- Reconnecting with an old friend
6. Sensory Self-Careย
Sensory self-care helps you nourish your senses โ sight, smell, touch, and sound. It is an effective way of bringing your mind to the present moment and helping you lower your stress levels. Living in the present helps you better cope with any past and future worry you may be feeling or any anxious thoughts. These simple, yet powerful self-care activities can be effective ways of becoming more mindful and soothing an anxious, overwhelmed mind.ย
ย SOME IDEAS:ย
- Burning yourย favouriteย scented candleย
- Taking a warm bath with yourย favouriteย scented bath bombย
- Spending time in natureย
- Listening to soothing music
- Walking barefoot on the grassย
Donโt fight with your emotions, instead listen to them to make peace. Forgive others not because they deserve it, but YOU deserve your peace of mind.ย
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