5 Self-Care Routines For Everyone

Self-Care

“actions and attitudes which contribute to the maintenance of well-being and personal health, which in turn promote human development.”

What Is Self-Care?

In our modern Western society, self-care is often portrayed as an experience that only emotional women (‘cause true men don’t need sissy ol’ self-care) or needy Millennials (those snowflakes) engage in. For women, it’s presented to us as a skill we are lacking because we don’t know how to properly take care of ourselves. For Millennials, it’s portrayed as a bad habit that our generation learned because we believe we are more special and unique than any other generation, and therefore deserve things we haven’t earned. Simply typing the words into Google brings results geared towards making women feel inadequate for not mastering this skill, and making Millennials feel guilty for being self-absorbed.

All of these notions are, of course, absolutely false.

Self-care is not for women or Millennials only. It is for everyone*. Everyone can benefit from learning to understand and prioritize their own needs. Everyone should be allowed to explore what makes them experience wholeness. Understanding what is healthy for yourself  will create a healthier experience for the people and communities around you.

Self-care is not a sign of weakness or indulgence. Self-care is actually a sign of true discipline. It demands tough-mindedness, a personal understanding of your priorities, and respect for yourself and the people you choose to spend your life with. Prioritizing self-care as part of your routine will help you build resilience. Resilience creates mind-body benefits that everyone deserves.

Self-care is defined as “actions and attitudes which contribute to the maintenance of well-being and personal health, which in turn promote human development.” Basically, if we were cars, it would be routine maintenance. Like putting fuel in the tank or changing tires. If our cars were acting up, we wouldn’t tell them that it’s “emotional” or “needy.” Instead we would take the time to address it.

Different Types of Self-Care

There are a variety of areas in life into which you can incorporate more self-care. Learning about these areas, and the changes to make in them, will increase your overall well-being. Changes can be as simple as drinking more water (who hasn’t told you to do that?!), or learning to focus on your breathing. Choose self-care routines that affect areas in your life that you know need attention.

 The five areas of a well rounded self-care routine:

• Physical: activities that involve improving your physical health. Changes could include eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, or prioritizing your health in your daily routine.

• Mental: activities that help declutter your mind and reduce your stress levels. This may mean completing a puzzle, engaging in creative endeavors, or keeping your mind sharp by learning new skills.

• Emotional: involves caring for your emotional health in order to attain emotional well being. This means learning self-compassion, acceptance, and creating space to comfortably express how you feel.

• Social: involves creating moments that nurture important relationships and foster new ones. You could arrange quality face-to-face time with a friend, call a family member that lives out of state, or grab a coffee with a favorite coworker.

• Spiritual: any ritual or practice that will further your connection with a higher self or power. Spend uninterrupted time in nature, learn meditation, attend church activities, or volunteer.

In the medical world self-care is seen as a part of preventative medicine. It’s the first step to preventing major mental and physical health risks. Therefore, it is pertinent that you take time to observe these different self-care areas in your life. Decide which areas you can address to create effective change, and address them. Addressing areas in your life that you want to enjoy more will increase stability and balance.

What do you do to engage in self-care? Tell me in the comments section below!

*Additional Awareness: Individuals raised in a culture that puts emphasis on community and conformity, instead of individuality, may not find these self-care routines applicable to them. This article does not aim to invalidate collectivism thinking. This article aims to educate those whose needs and values align with the concept of self-care.

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