Self care is integral to improving one’s quality of life. This wellness practice is multifaceted, as there are many aspects to consider and care for. You can practice and master how to manage these parts of yourself for a better state of mind and potential self-improvement. 

1. Physical

Your body helps you experience the world and accomplish activities like traveling to make life more exciting. Taking care of it is a way to make sure you can keep doing what you love. Here are some examples of how to keep yourself in tip-top shape:

• Exercise: Engaging in physical activity conditions your muscles and joints for movement. You can find countless workout routines online to tone your body. Sports like swimming, dance, yoga and more add extra fun to exercising. If you have interested friends or family, try group activities like tennis or badminton.
• Sleep: Taking care of your physique also means knowing when to slow down and rest. You must get as much shuteye as possible throughout your night to rejuvenate yourself. Women need about 11 extra minutes every night for optimal recovery.
• Diet: A well-balanced diet does wonders for physical self care. The right mix of nutrients can give your body the fuel it needs to keep going. Learn how to cook different meals to prep for the upcoming week. When you’re feeling snackish, you can also have healthy snacks like chopped fruits and vegetables.

2. Mental

The mind is a powerful tool that directs the body. When you feel stressed, it’s hard to concentrate on anything else. Some may even compartmentalize these occurrences. Here are positive mental self care practices to try out:

• Mindfulness: Mindfulness manages your mental health. By staying present, you can evaluate the situation with your mind and tell your body what to do. It’s also influential in shifting perspective to stay more positive.
• Destressing: You need to find healthy coping mechanisms to minimize stress. Some people find journaling helpful since it allows them to transfer their thoughts to paper. You can also engage in more physical activity to release any impending tension.
• Stimulation: Explore various stimuli to perform mental self care. For example, change up your home. Bright and warm colors spark energy and happiness, while cool and muted tones create a calming atmosphere. Aside from sight, you can appeal to smell with scented candles.

3. Emotional

Your heart also deserves love and attention. Everyone’s bandwidth is different, but some people can handle a certain level of psychological stimuli more than others. Here’s how you can expand your emotional soundness:

• Personal awareness: You are the first person who experiences your emotions. You must be aware of them before you can describe them to others. Engage in self-reflection and ask yourself what you’re feeling. Don’t judge yourself for being sad or angry — it’s a natural emotion like joy.
• Processing: Emotional processing refers to breaking down your feelings. What are you feeling at this current moment and why? This technique can help you narrow down the reasoning that led to the reaction. It’s also training to face yourself head-on instead of burying your sentiments.
• Emotional intelligence: As you pinpoint and process your emotions, the next step is to manage them. Regulate outbursts and convey stronger feelings eloquently to resolve a situation. Good emotional intelligence can also let you figure out how to communicate and empathize with others.

4. Spiritual

Not to be confused with mental or emotional well-being, spiritual health is all about nurturing your soul. Every person has a burning desire for purpose in their life. Here are sustainable tips on how to practice spiritual self care:

• Connection: You need strong connections to your surroundings. Consider heading into nature and marveling at the sights. Spending time outdoors can heal you spiritually and is also associated with better self-esteem and focus.
• Acts of service: Some people’s spiritual health depends on their contribution to society. Consider providing acts of service to your community, like volunteering.
• Groundedness: A stronger spirit can face whatever life throws at it. Be authentic in your day-to-day life and remain humble despite any attention that may come your way. You also have to persevere against hardships.

5. Intellectual

Many decisions present themselves throughout your day-to-day life. Some may be simpler — like understanding how to spend your weekends — but you also come across choices like picking between two jobs or figuring out where to live. These intellectual self care practices help you stay on your toes during those moments:

• Learning: Expand your knowledge and skills. Even if it’s outside the classroom or workplace, there are so many books, podcasts and webinars with all sorts of information. You can also just look up any fact on the internet. Just remember to get your data from reputable sources.
• Knowledge exchange: Intellectual self care goes beyond absorbing information. There’s also an urge to share what you have learned with others. Look for like-minded people and have conversations over different topics and skills. You can learn a thing or two from them and vice versa.
• Creativity: Most people measure intellect with words and numbers, but there are so many ways to bring it out. If you love art, consider drawing and painting. Singing and playing musical instruments are also engaging. You can craft your melody and be indulgent with the skills you’ve built.

6. Environmental

Many emphasize the importance of the abode you grow up in. As you continue to grow throughout life, your living conditions influence other aspects of your well-being. Here are ways to optimize your environment:

• Decluttering: It’s hard to perform physical activities or mental self care practices in a cluttered environment. Clean up the space to make it more conducive to productivity. Throw away or donate the items you don’t feel like keeping anymore. Organize the ones you decide to keep within drawers for a tidy look.
• Decoration: Dopamine decor focuses on items that spark joy. There are various functional options, like decorative lamps or storage baskets. Wall art and figurines are great for display purposes.
• Healthy environment: Environmental self care can also encompass caring for your surroundings. Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, so prioritize good air quality and bacteria-free surfaces. You can focus on putting trash into the appropriate disposal area.

7. Financial

Money is great for funding your passions, but you must watch out for your financial well-being. It’s a finite resource, whether the income comes from your allowance, job or other gigs. Here are practices to keep your wallet safe and sound:

• Budgeting: Prioritize the expenses you have to cover at present. You can set up a short-term plan to avoid immediate financial stress, but a long-term strategy is also ideal for the future.
• Goal-setting: One way to achieve financial self care is to figure out your future goals and act on them. For example, most people want to maximize their income. Allocating some funds to investment or retirement accounts can go a long way.
• Discipline: You need to learn to exercise control over your finances. In 2023, Americans owed about $986 billion in credit card debt. Learn when to decline or postpone your wants. If you have outstanding payments now, focus on reducing them.

8. Social

Everyone needs a support network. Family, friends and acquaintances all enrich your life in one way or another. Here are vital self care actions for managing your social life:

• Quality time: Socializing is a time commitment. Dedicate hours to it within your schedule. Even something as simple as having coffee or seeing a movie together connects you with other people.
• Strong relationships: A strong relationship is more than just frequent meetups. You must also be present when celebrating their wins or easing their lows. Focus on having meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.
• Boundaries: Social self care also recognizes when to take a step back from people to recharge. Set and communicate boundaries to the people close to you. Showcase respect for their limits as well.

Put Yourself First

Learn to prioritize yourself. Each aspect of your life is intertwined, so you must pay attention to and care for it as best as possible. That said, remember to take your time as you balance them and avoid pressuring yourself. Self care is all about less stress and more peace.

Credits:

Written by Cora Gold

Graphics by the creative team at The House.