If you’ve interacted with my Instagram, you’ve seen and heard the word self-care A LOT! And I’m going to use it even more because finding time for ourselves in this fast-paced world is vital to living a happy and fulfilled life. However, sometimes self-care just seems like another thing added to our to-do lists and sometimes we don’t even know where to start. You may start with a google search for ‘self-care ideas’ which gives you so many suggestions that you get even more lost in terms of where to start.
The self-care topic is quite wide and complex so it might be hard to know what you need to focus on to make the most out of your self-care practices. That’s why today I’ll be defining self-care and sharing with you the seven dimensions of self-care which will help you find out what you need at this point in your life instead of trying out everything on that endless google list.
What Is Self Care?
Simply put, self-care includes the practices and activities we engage in regularly to reduce stress and enhance our happiness and well-being. What makes these feel-good activities self-care is that they’re practiced often. Self-care is all bout finding something you can do regularly that takes away from the pressure of adulting, endless to-do lists, and that ultimately make you feel comfortable, relaxed, and a little happier.
One thing about self-care however, is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. What works for me may not necessarily work for you and vice versa. And while there are so, so many activities you can incorporate into your self-care practices, it’s important to find what works for you and what you currently need. One way to find what you need is to look at self-care as a house with 7 pillars. Each of these 7 pillars needs care and maintenance but not necessarily simultaneously; when they’re all regularly maintained, you get a strong, well-balanced house.
The 7 Dimensions Of Self Care
The 7 dimensions of self-care work together to create a well-rounded approach to self-care as well as to bring a sense of wholeness to your life. Incorporating activities from each of these dimensions allows you to nourish and take care of every aspect of your life. These 7 dimensions are: mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, recreational and environmental.
While learning that there are seven dimensions may feel overwhelming, there’s absolutely no pressure to do them all at once, hun! You don’t need to achieve a perfect balance of them all. You can focus on one area for as long as you need before focusing on the rest. So take your time, focus on what currently needs attention, and eventually, you’ll be caring for your whole being.
1. Mental Self Care
AKA intellectual self-care is about finding balance between stimulating your mind and giving it a break. It’s about building a healthy mindset through mindfulness and curiosity. Taking time for mental self-care can help with skill development, innovation, creativity, enhancing knowledge, reducing stress, and developing a healthy mindset.
Examples of mental self-care:
Reading a book
Painting/Drawing
Journaling
Going on a social media detox
Listening to music
Taking a class
Meditation
2. Emotional Self Care
This involves taking care of our hearts by practicing self-compassion and incorporating healthy coping strategies. Engaging in emotional self-care helps us cope with challenges, have a deeper understanding of ourselves, develop healthy emotional responses, and develop and nourish healthy relationships. Taking care of our emotional wellbeing results in kindness, greater compassion, and a deeper love for ourselves and others.
Examples of emotional self-care:
Talking to a therapist
Setting boundaries
Keeping a gratitude journal
Writing or reading positive affirmations
Asking for help
Connecting with a loved one
3. Physical Self Care
Physical self-care is all about taking care of your body and its needs. It involves movement and exercise, health, nourishment and nutrition, good hygiene, proper sleep, physical touch and sexual needs. Practicing physical self-care can boost your self-esteem and increase your energy levels.
Examples of physical self-care:
Yoga
Hiking
Drinking more water
Eating mindfully
Masturbation and/or sex
Cuddling
Sleeping for 7-8 hours
4. Spiritual Self Care
Spiritual self-care is all about taking care of your soul through personal activities and practices that provide a sense of direction, purpose and meaning to your life and allow you to follow your personal values and beliefs. Taking care of this dimension can help you feel more grounded, find more meaning in your life, develop a sense of belonging and help you find a connection with something greater than yourself. Even if you don’t subscribe to religion, taking care of this part of the self is still important.
Examples of spiritual self-care:
Meditation (or any other mindful practices)
Volunteering or contributing to a cause you believe in
Going out for a nature walk
Identifying your values & finding what’s important to you
Connecting to a higher power in whatever way makes sense to you
5. Social Self Care
Even if the word self-care seems to be about self, it’s also important and healthy to take care of our social wellbeing since social connections allow us to develop a sense of belonging and acceptance which we need as humans. Social self-care is about cultivating healthy relationships and connecting with people who get you.
Examples of social self-care:
Calling a friend or relative
Planning a date with your friends
Creating a new connection
Joining an online/offline community
Hosting a game night
Going on a date with your partner
6. Recreational Self Care
This dimension of self-care involves taking care of your inner child by taking part in activities that you enjoy, engaging in fun activities, immersing yourself in new experiences and enjoying your hobbies (you can find my small guide to hobbies here). Recreational self-care helps you relax and simply enjoy life’s pleasures without the pressure of to-do lists.
Examples of recreational self-care:
Trying something new alone or with friends
Doing nothing without feeling guilty about it
Engaging in your hobbies
Getting creative
Playing board games or video games
Going on an adventure or travelling
7. Environmental Self Care
This is about paying attention to the spaces and places around you. Taking care of your immediate environment helps you feel clear-headed, centered and grounded. It also helps you thrive and feel like you belong where you are.
Examples of environmental self-care:
Decluttering your home
Going out for a walk
Exploring a new area
Appealing to the 5 senses (check out art, play your favorite album, light a candle, eat your favorite meal, put on something comfortable)
Arranging your workspace or room
What do you think about these 7 dimensions of self-care? Have they changed your perspective on self-care? Let me know in the comments below! Also, I’d love to know what your favorite self-care practice is and how you plan on incorporating these dimensions into your self-care routine.
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