In the past few years, the topic of self-care has become something that everyone seems to be talking about. Whether you’re a mama or not, self-care is an important part of showing yourself love so you can be there for your village.
In the past few years, the topic of self-care has become something that everyone seems to be talking about. Whether you’re a mama or not, self-care is an important part of showing yourself love so you can be there for your village.
I’ll be the first to say that we all get so busy (myself included), and sometimes taking care of ourselves gets put on the back burner. Even though your schedule may be jam packed, make sure to set aside time for yourself so you don’t burn out!
In this blog post, I’ll share the five types of self-care and how you can practice this regularly. Trust me: You’ll need it!
Physical Self-Care
When you hear “self-care,” what comes to mind? A lot of us may instantly think of face masks, bubble baths and cozy pajamas. But there’s so much more to self-care than just a spa night!
For physical self-care, you should focus on making sure your body is functioning properly. After all, if your physical body isn’t doing so hot, how can you take care of the rest of yourself? Part of physical self-care is making sure you stay active. I know working out can seem daunting, but you don’t have to go all the way to the gym to stay fit! There are plenty of fitness apps that are easy to use in the comfort of your own living room!
One of my favorite ways to stay active is going on walks around my neighborhood. It gives me a chance to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors while staying active. If you need a little extra motivation, ask someone in your village to go on a walk or run with you outside. You’ll love the company and you’ll probably forget you’re even exercising!
But that’s not all: Here are a few questions you should ask yourself for your physical self-care:
- Am I getting adequate sleep?
- Is my diet fueling your body with nutrients?
- Am I checking in with my physical wellness regularly?
Make sure you’re always keeping your physical health in check, and get your family involved too!
Social Self-Care
Yes, this is a real thing! When we regularly keep in touch with our village, it can do more good than we may realize.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know that I’m a big supporter of building your village. A big piece of this is staying connected with your loved ones! Make sure you’re putting the time and energy into all your relationships to keep your social wellness in tip top shape.
Social self-care is actually easier than it may sound! A few ways you can stay close to your village are:
- Setting up regular lunch dates, coffee breaks, nights out, etc.
- Call one FaceTime a friend or family member everyday to catch up on life
- Send a handwritten note to people in your village to show your appreciation
- Ask for help when you need it (we all do at some point!)
If you need some extra self-care in this area, check out my Virtual Village! I offer a space for gals everywhere to connect and share tips and resources. Don’t sleep on joining this group!
Mental Self-Care
Ok this is an important one! The conversation around mental well-being has become more open in recent years, giving us all an opportunity to take a second look at how our mental state is.
For this one, you can start by looking at how you talk to yourself. I think a lot of us tend to think negatively of ourselves, but why not focus on the positives? Write a list of all the things you love about yourself and tape it somewhere you look every day. You’ll be reminded to stay thinking positively each time you look at them!
Another way to take care of your mental health is keeping your mind sharp with stimulating activities. Pull out a fun puzzle and put it together with your kiddos, read a new book or watch a movie that inspires you. I love these types of activities because they can help you keep the stress of life at bay.
Need more support for your mental health? Reach out to your village! They’re here to support you and talk through any issues you may be facing. You can also talk to professionals through apps like BetterHelp!
Emotional Self-Care
So you might be thinking how this is different from mental self-care. Yes, they’re closely connected but this one is more focused on how you express your emotions.When it comes to our negative emotions, how are you coping with them? It’s important to have strong strategies in place to help you express these emotions in a healthy way!
One of my favorite ways of taking care of myself emotionally is writing down my feelings. There’s something therapeutic about getting all your emotions out on paper where you can really process them. You can even try this idea with your little ones to help them better understand their emotions!
Another piece of emotional self-care is making sure your relationships are supportive. Take a look at everyone in your village and think of how you help each other. If you find there’s a toxic relationship, cut it out of your life. Life is too short for negativity!
Spiritual Self-Care
Remember that spiritual self-care doesn’t always mean religion! This form of self-care is more focused on your values and how you’re upholding them in your life.
We may not always think of it, but taking care of our souls is an essential part of living a healthy life. Depending on your values, spiritual self-care can mean:
- Using positive affirmations to relieve stress
- Practicing meditation or yoga
- Reading inspiring books
- Journaling and sharing your thoughts on paper
However you choose to inspire and nurture your soul, you can also share these with your family. A large part of spiritual self-care means connecting with your village and being there for one another!
How do you take care of yourself in each of these areas? DM me and share your self-care ideas! XOXO
