Different types of self-care and how to practice them
Self-care is something we should all make time for. But it can be hard to find self-care activities that work for you, and to make time for them.
If you struggle to make time for self-care because you feel selfish for doing so, remember you can only be there for others if you have the mental resources to do so. Taking some time for self-care will replenish your stores
Below are several different areas of self-care with suggestions for each one of activities you can do.
Physical self-care
One form of self-care is taking care of our bodies. Some days it could be doing something relaxing and soothing like a bath or facial, but other times it might be more helpful to get moving even if you don’t feel like it.
- Exercise
- Going for a walk
- Eating healthy food
- Stay hydrated
- Stretch
- Mani/Pedi or Facials
- Get a massage or do a self-massage
- Take a long bath or shower
- Sleep
- Make time for rest
- Do yoga
- Dance to your favourite song
Emotional & spiritual self-care
A spiritual or emotional self-care activity is one that brings you closer to and allows you to focus on yourself.
- Journal
- Listen to your favourite song
- Meditating
- Do something creative
- Spending time alone
- Spend time in nature
- Take a break
- Therapy
- Gratitude
- Compassion
- Breathing exercises
- Feeling safe & comfortable in your space
Social self-care
Create and maintain healthy relationships
- Having friends and family, a support system
- Limit time on social media
- Set boundaries in your relationships
- End relationships that only cause you stress and unhappiness
- Acts of kindness
- Going out on a date with a friend or partner
- Get in touch with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
Financial self-care
Look after your financial health. A lot of us are stressed and worried about our finances, learning more and committing to looking after it can help you reduce a lot of stress.
- Set and follow a budget
- Save money
- Pay your bills on time
- Learn about finances to increase your knowledge and make it less scary
- Meet with a financial advisor
- Invest for the future
- See if you can cut out some expenses
- Check out my Personal finance kit to get started
Practical self-care
- Setting goals
- Organise or declutter something (closet, kitchen, your inbox…)
- Tidying up
- Meal prepping
- Have groceries delivered
- Set out your clothes in advance
Want to find more time for self-care?
I’ve got printables to help you plan out your self-care activites, like a Weekly Self-Care Planner, or the Self-Care Routines printable. There’s also the Self-Care & Self-Esteem Kit with 10 different printables to help you make time for self-care activities and focus on and improve your self-esteem.
