You’ve probably heard about ‘Self-care’ in some respect recently. Articles about improving and practising self-care have been appearing more and more on social media and in magazines, making us question exactly what it is and exactly why we need to be focusing on it so much.
The truth is, there are actually 7 areas of self care but don’t worry, in this self care for beginners guide we’re going to cover each of them in turn!
What Self Care Isn’t
It should be pretty easy to define exactly what ‘Self care’ is but the message has got confused along the way, thanks to media & influencers.
Many people now hear self care and think long relaxing baths, treating ourselves to the things we want and ‘loving ourselves’.
While this is all of course true, it’s far to vague and doesn’t give enough direction or explanation. It’s especially difficult if your a self care beginner, as you’ll be looking for clear and concise answer.
So let’s give you some shall we!
What Self Care Is
Self-Care is the conscious process of looking after all aspects of ‘The Self’ and creating balance to ensure your ideal state of mind and body. It is keeping physically fit and understand when to look after yourself (NHS).
It’s mindfully paying attention to yourself and caring for yourself (Psychology today). It’s taking acton to maintain or improve your own health and protecting tier well0being & happiness (dictionary).
Why Is It Important
In an age where anxiety, stress and mental health issues aren’t being dealt with as effectively as they should be, we need to start prioritising our needs.
I talk about why Self Care isn’t optional here!
If we regularly practice self care not only will we reduce stress levels and create a mental balance, you feel healthier, connect better to those around you and really appreciate those special moments.
The mind and body effect each other so if we can find balance in the 7 areas of self care, even if you’re a self care beginner, we will see positive impacts in our physical health too.
As with anything, learning to effectively practice self care takes commitment and effort.
think of it like an exercise routine
The most powerful relationship you will ever have, is the relationship you have with yourself.
Diane Von Furstenberg
Yes, if you work out once in a blue moon you’ll feel good, but those endorphins only last for so long. You don’t see the same benefits from a single workout that you would from a regular, consistent routine.
And that mindset can be applied to self care too.
Practice it once in the blue moon and it will give you a boost but make it a regular part of your life and it will be transformative.
However before you learn how to effectively practice self-care, let’s start by breaking it down into different areas.
Seven Areas of Self Care
While there’s some debate over exact breakdown & numeber of areas, here’s my take.
Self care can be broken down into 7 areas, focusing on different aspects of our life, mentality and wellbeing.
If all 7 of these areas are balanced, it follows that stress levels will be lower and we will generally live happier, easier lives.
We have to accept that each of these areas effect the others and therefore our overall happiness & wellbeing.
As well as this, we also need to remind ourselves that while we may not be in control of events and factors that surround us, we are in control of how we react to them and thus how we allow them to effect us.
PHYSICAL SELF CARE
Physical Self-care encompasses anything to do with the body, from moving and exercise, sleep & rest to nutrition and even sexual needs.
To find balance in this area can be as simple as going for a walk or maintaining a regular exercise regime, or as complex as changing ones diet to ensure less processed food and more nourishment.
Improving this aspect of self-care also has great benefits for mental health and overall wellbeing. However as with any habit it can be hard to start/change.
TOP TIPS & INSPIRATION
EATING A HEALTHY, BALANCED DIET
EXERCISE REGULARLY
GET GOOD, QUALITY SLEEP AND TAKE NAPS
TAKE A BREAK
HAVE A MASSAGE OR TREATMENT
Self care Is not selfish.
Take the Naps.
Sam’S Self Care Loves
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PYSCHOLOGICAL SELF CARE
This is possibly one of the main areas that lead people to take up self-care. Improving mental health, especially if you suffer with a condition such as anxiety, stress or depression can be a constant struggle.
Self-care can be a great support during recovery. As well as this, if you can find balance in this area, it can make finding balance in others much easier, enabling you to improved wellbeing with ease.
It’s ok to struggle. And It’s ok to let aspects of your life slip at times.
We’ve spent the last 10 years believing we have to be superwomen. Maintain and progress in highflying careers.
Have perfectly behaved and well turned out children – at all times! Cook fresh, delicious food for every meal. Workout. Do our make up. Be perfectly presentable.
But its not realistic. It’s not achievable unless you allow other aspects to suffer. I know from personal experience if I have a ‘me day’ or if I’m not well and need to rest, the housework waits. Take the pressure of yourself.
Be open to noticing when your struggling and accepting of your imperfections.
Be as kind to yourself as you would be to someone you love.
TOPS TIPS & INSPIRATION
LEARN HOW TO BE MINDFUL & PRACTICE REGULARLY
JOURNALLING
READING BOOKS
TALK ABOUT IT (WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST)
BRAIN DUMP – EMPTY ALL YOUR THOUGHTS
Sam’s Self Care Loves
EMOTIONAL SELF CARE
On the surface, you’d be forgiven for thinking psychological and emotional self-care were one and the same.
While they are connected, the big difference is that emotional self-care is more focused on – drum roll please! – our emotions; what triggers them, how we respond and react to them.
Quite often we feel an emotion – anger for example – and just react.
If you’re lacking emotional self-care you may not know how to process what triggers that emotion.
Consequently, you may struggle with how you react when strong emotions arise.
A few simple techniques & practices can help to develop more self awareness in this area, improving our emotional literacy.
TOP TIPS & INSPIRATION
KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
SAY NO WITHOUT GUILT
BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN BOUNDARIES AND PUSH THEM TENTATIVELY
COMPLIMENT YOURSELF & PRACTICE SELF LOVE
PLAN DIGITAL DETOXES
Sam’s Self Care Loves
SOCIAL SELF CARE
Aristole said that ‘Human beings are social animals’ and thats truer now than ever before.
We rely on social interactions to validate and support our own emotions & thoughts. As women, forming relationships & friendships outside of our immediate family is also critical to our quality of life.
Nurturing supportive relationships enables us to not only have someone to turn to, but also understand that we’re not alone with our struggles.
TOP TIPS & INSPIRATION
MAINTAIN & NATURE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS
SHUT OUT NEGATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
PUT DOWN THE PHONE & BE PRESENT
ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT
JOIN A CLUB & MEET NEW PEOPLE
Sam’s Self Care Loves
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PERSONALISED FRIENDSHIP MUG
PROFESSIONAL SELF CARE
Having balance between our work & personal lives is vital; if we work to much our personal lives suffer.
If we are more focused on our personal lives, we might not progress in our career the way we would like.
By translating a lot of the ideas we’ve already discussed to the workplace (or business if you’re self-employed) we can restore the balance, making us more productive in our professional lives and more present in our personal.
TOP TIPS & INSPIRATION
EAT A NOURISHING LUNCH & ENJOY IT
NEGOTIATE YOUR NEEDS
LEAVE WORK AT WORK
ATTEND & SEEK OUT TRAINING
TAKE ALL YOUR HOLIDAY
Sam’s Self Care Loves
ENVIRONMENTAL SELF CARE
A big influencing factor on our wellbeing and happiness is often what surrounds us.
We’ve all heard the saying ‘Tidy room, tidy mind’ but so often the washing piles high, toys are strewn across the floor and suddenly we feel the pressure and crack.
Maintaining an organised home and work space will not only make us feel happier and more in control; it can also increase productivity.
TOP TIPS & INSPIRATION
USE DECLUTTERING BASKETS AROUND THE HOUSE
MONITOR TECH TIME
BE MINDFUL ABOUT MESS & BE PROACTIVE
ADD SOME GREENERY TO YOUR SPACE
LET IN LIGHT AND AIR
Sam’s Self Care Loves
SPIRITUAL SELF CARE
Whether you have a religious belief or not, we can all benefit from taking time out to nurture our inner spirit and soul.
By holding a strong senses of values and beliefs and regularly pondering our place in the universe, we can develop and expand our spirituality.
Being Spiritual is very subjective and means different things to different people but these are some examples of how you can have your spiritual self-care in balance.
TOP TIPS & INSPIRATION
MEDITATE OR PRAY
CONNECT WITH NATURE
VISIT A MUSEUM OR GALLERY
DONATE OR VOLUNTEER
REFLECT AND JOURNAL
Sam’s Self Care Loves
Wherever you are now, balanced or unbalanced, we all deserve to feel happiness and contentment. It’s not about doing something to impress or please someone; it’s not adhering to a fixed set of rules.
It’s very fluid and subjective – you can create your own personal plan based on what works for you. Remember, it’s not about adding more to your ‘To Do List’ but creating a balanced sense of self to better improve your wellbeing
Are you new to self care? What areas would you most like to focus on? Let me know in the comments?
So many good points! I love how you clarify that its not just ‘me time’, bubbly baths and face masks. But so much more than that <3 <3
Hell yes! I mean, bubble baths are important too haha! But identifying which areas you’re struggling in is a huge help! <3
Thanks so much for this! Really trying to improve my selfcare in the lead up to christmas.
You can do it!! Baby steps. Make changes gradually <3