Authentic Self-Care
Self-care is great and all but perhaps you have noticed that mainstream self-care culture hyper focuses on indulgence, materialism and consumerism., disregarding mental health care and a more authentic concept of well-being
Yes, taking a bath with a fancy bath bomb or a decadent piece of chocolate can help with stress relief, but this is only a temporary fix. This is indulgence and there’s nothing wrong with that in moderation. However, a truly fulfilling self-care approach that will boost your well-being requires a balanced approach base on what you truly need. You want to think holistically - mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, socially and practically - and turn inwards to discover for yourself what you need.
Some ways that can add more balance to your self-care:
Mentally - Any activity the stimulates your mind or your intellect.
Examples: Reading a book, solving a puzzle, playing chess, professional development
Physically - Activities you do that improve the well-being of your physical health.
Examples: Taking a walk during lunch breaks, sleeping eight hours a day, staying hydrated
Emotionally - These are activities that help you connect, process, and reflect on a full range of emotions.
Examples: Seeing a therapist, writing in a journal, creating art, playing music
Spiritually - Activities that nurtures your spirit and allows you to think bigger than yourself. Spiritual self care does not have to be religious, although for some it is.
Examples: Meditation, yoga, going to a place of worship, be in nature, dedicate time for self-reflection
Social Self-Care - Activities that nurtures and deepens the relationships with people in your life.
Examples: Brunch with friends, going on a date, making time to call your mom regularly
Practical Self-Care - Tasks you complete that fulfill core aspects of your life in order to prevent future stressful situations.
Examples: Creating a budget, organizing your closet, medical appointments
There often is overlap between these areas. For example, going for brunch with friends is social self-care, but also can be emotional self-care.
How to find out what you need? Get still and silent, and ask yourself the most self-compassionate question you can - “what do I need right now in this moment”?
Ultimately I suggest that you create routines and habits for much of your self-care, leaving room to adapt to what you need in the moment. These routines may shift with the seasons or your schedule, but sticking to your good habits makes it easier to keep up with your self-care.
xo Shari Lee
