Oh how I love the idea of a bubble bath after a long day of caring for everyone else’s needs but my own. I get the water hot enough to where you have to ease into it body part by body part. Starting with a couple toes, then my entire foot, and etc. Its something about seeing the steam flowing off that makes me feel like I’m at spa. As much as I love a good ole bubble bath I hate to break it to you but.... Just taking a bubble bath is NOT self-care! I know, I know it’s one of the most widely discussed activities for self-care, but that’s just the start! That’s where self-care begins! Now I'm not saying cross the bubble bath off your weekly routine. I’m saying that while taking a bubble bath can be one aspect of self-care it should be in conjunction with other consistent practices centered around your physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial needs as well. Here are some ideas to help you ensure you are giving all of your needs the attention they deserve. Physical Self-Care: All about engaging in activities that improve your physical health.
Can Include:
Scheduling and attending annual Physicals & Exams (mammograms for women, prostate screening for men)
Taking your daily medication each day as directed
Not ignoring or putting off symptoms of sickness, illness or pain
Aiming to have a balanced diet and healthy eating habits
Regular exercise and movement
Mental & Emotional Self-Care
All about engaging in activities or practices that declutter your mind and/or reduce stress. Can Include:
Having a healthy & safe outlet for expressing your emotions (venting to a close friend or relative, journaling, meditating, singing, therapy or etc.)
Utilizing the support systems available to you aka avoiding self-sabotage
Recognizing when professional help is needed and being open to receiving that help
Showing gratitude, forgiveness, and patience toward yourself
Recognizing and responding to situations that are not serving you and your overall well-being
Social Self-Care All about activities that nurtures and deepens the relationships with people in your life. Can Include:
Actively setting aside time to socialize to your comfort level (introverts & extroverts)
Setting & enforcing healthy boundaries for all of your relationships not just your romantic ones
Recognizing and responding when people in your life are not serving you and your overall well-being (energy drainers, narcissists, no-showers)
Avoiding heat of the moment responses
Communicating expectations and disappointments clearly and respectfully
Being open to receiving communication of expectations and disappointments
Financial Self-Care All about being connected to a greater meaning and purpose in life. Can Include:
Prayer
Bible Study
Daily Devotionals
Belonging to a religious or spiritual community
Engaging in mindfulness
Spiritual Self-Care All about being connected to a greater meaning and purpose in life. Can Include:
Prayer
Bible Study
Daily Devotionals
Belonging to a religious or spiritual community
Engaging in mindfulness
Need some support in of these areas? Join me for a 6 week Self-Care Circle Up at 7pm eastern time from February 27th-April 4th. $25 per session or $120 if you pay upfront.
https://pocketsuite.io/book/dTLh spots are limited!