Definition of self-care, importance and ideas

We have officially started our “Spill the Scoop on Self-Care” series, interviewing individuals actively indulging in self-care. To get the scoop on Ashley Michele’s self-care routines, review the posted article.

Since the series started, we wanted to bring self-care fundamentals. This fundamental information can be used as a reference to get answers relative to self-care.

So let’s state the definition of self-care, its types, ways to practice, and its importance.

What is Self-Care?

WHO (World Health Organization) defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider”.

Fundamental principles for self-care include aspects of the individual.

Types of Self-Care

Let’s Explore 8 Types of Self-care:

Physical Self-Care

Physical self-care is things you do physically, to bring wellness and attention to your body. These activities can give you energy or restore health.

Personal Self-Care

Personal self-care will be the thing you love to do. Anything that brings you joy, peace, fulfillment.

Emotional Self-Care

Emotional self-care is attending to your mental/emotional needs. It can be more therapeutic, helping you to better connect with your emotions.

Environmental Self Care

Environmental self-care is creating an environment where you thieve and feel the safest. It has to bring you good energy and great vibez!

Social Self-care

Social Self-care is all about healthy relationships with those around you. Connecting with people that make you feel good, those you trust. Your social settings should make you feel comfortable and confident. PERIOD!

Financial

Financial Self-care refers to your relationship with money. You want to do things that will reduce stress and help you manage or maintain your lifestyle, peace, balance, etc…

Spiritual

Spiritual Self-care is your connection to spirituality. Connecting with your internal self for deeper purposes and clarity.

Professional

Professional Self-care is things that bring balance to your life inside your workplace.

Why is Self-care important?

The main reason self-care is important is because it gives you a connection with yourself by prioritizing yourself.

Remember, you’re responsible for yourself and the life you desire (peace, joy, stability, self-love, etc.).

“Focusing on yourself can help with self-love and stress reduction, creating a well balanced life. Putting “me time” on the back burner, is a big part of why we feel overwhelmed, run down, and frazzled. Lack of self-care can make us ill-equipped to handle life’s stressors,” says Judy Rooney, LCSW, Tri-State Clearwater Medical.

Self-care Homework Assignment

Ready to start your journey?

Let’s go!

-Identify. Select 1 to 3 self-care types and/or activities you would like to start or improve.
-Set a goal. Determine often you would like to complete for the month.
-Track. Download your free self-care tracker and track each day you complete a self-care activity.
-Review. At the end of the month review how often you prioritized yourself. Check out our example.
-Repeat. Do it again the following month.

Download Self-care Tracker

The purpose of this assignment is to:
-See how much you prioritize your needs.
-Analyze what you think is happening vs what you’re doing.
-Gradually improve.

Happy self-caring days to YOU!

Don’t forget to let us know how you did!

And remember, the road to a better lifestyle will be a marathon. It requires patience and consistency, in order to get the results and benefits you desire.