If you ask me, self-care is pretty awesome. It has become part of my everyday routine. It can help your heart, your body, your mind and your spirit in a variety of different ways. Here you will learn about the 4 key dimensions of self-care and we encourage you to try some of the techniques that we will mention. Develop your very own self-care routine; you may be surprised at how well they may make you feel! Perhaps, you may even want to encourage a friend to try it out. :)
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is defined as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health”. It refers to everything you may do in order to take care of yourself, whether it be emotionally, physically, psychologically or spiritually. The practice of self-care is essential in managing your stress, preventing yourself from burning out, and much more. Here, we will discuss the 4 main dimensions of self-care.
Emotional Self-Care
We will begin with discussing emotional self-care. This type of self-care emphasizes caring for our emotional needs. It is important to stay in tune with our feelings and our emotional needs in order to fulfill these needs. To improve your emotional well-being, it is great to set boundaries on your time and energy. Take breaks during the day to socialize with others and get to know yourself. Build good relationships with people that bring you up, inspire you, and bring positive vibes to your life. Spend time sharing love, support, and kindness, so that you can create a positive and encouraging environment for yourself and others.
My personal emotional self-care routine includes:
- Spending time with my family
- Writing down how I feel
- Speaking with friends about how I’m coping with school / life demands
Physical Self-Care
Another type of self-care is physical self-care. Physical self-care includes maintaining a good diet and participating in regular exercise. To improve your physical well-being, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day and fuel your body with good food (including fruits and veggies), because your body works hard during the day and it needs the right fuel to keep you going. It is also important to stay active. This could mean playing a sport, hiking, or simply going on a walk in between study sessions.
My personal physical self-care routine includes:
- Eating healthy and balanced meals
- Going on a walk almost every day
- Working out a few times a week (usually, 3-4 times)
Psychological Self-Care
Along with physical and emotional self-care comes psychological self-care. Psychological self-care involves analyzing your inner emotions, experiences and thoughts. Psychological self-care can be done through a personal or professional setting. For example, you could visit a mental health coach/counsellor, or you could try things on your own such as writing in a journal or meditating. The crucial take-away from this type of self-care is to remember to pay attention to things in your control and take time to reflect on yourself.
My personal psychological self-care routine includes:
- Taking a warm bath to relax
- Reading a book
- Listening to music
Spiritual Self-Care
The final type of self-care is spiritual self-care. This type of self-care relies on mindfulness and connecting with one’s surroundings. This type of self-care is entirely personal, facilitating connection, purpose and happiness. Some examples of spiritual self-care include doing art, playing music, praying or dancing freely. Most importantly, spiritual self-care allows you to practice gratitude and distance from the non-material aspects of life.
My personal spiritual self-care routine includes:
- Doing yoga
- Practicing meditation
- Reflecting with a close friend for support