Did you know there are four main areas of self care?

This mindset shift changed how I take care of myself.

Self-care is not selfish.

 I’ve heard this before and my response has always been, yeah, I know, I just don’t have time for it.

 And then I came across something talking about the difference between self-neglect and self-care:

 “self-care involves intentional actions to maintain health and happiness, 

 while self-neglect is a dangerous failure or inability to meet basic survival and hygiene needs.”

It kind of woke something in me.

Like, if we are not taking care of ourselves, then in a way we are neglecting ourselves.

So, I dove in.

Did you know there are 4 main areas of self care?! 

Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual

Physical Self-Care

Involves taking care of your body so you have the energy to tackle daily life. So things like, eating balanced and nourishing meals, exercising, walking, stretching, and maintaining consistent sleep schedules all fall into this category. 

Emotional Self-Care

This focuses on understanding, processing, and expressing your feelings in a healthy way. So this includes setting boundaries, like saying no to prevent burnout; writing down thoughts and feelings for clarity; and seeking support by talking to a therapist, coach, or a trusted friend.

Mental Self-Care

This is keeping your mind sharp, focused, and engaged. Practices include hobbies, doing something just because you want to. Learning, reading a new book, taking a class, or acquiring a new skill. Digital detoxes, taking breaks from screens to avoid overload.

Spiritual Self-Care

This revolves around connecting with a deeper sense of meaning or purpose. It involves meditation, practicing mindfulness and deep breathing; spending time outdoors in nature to refresh your soul; spending time alone to think about personal values; and practicing gratitude. 

So if self-care is a proactive choice to nurture oneself, restore energy, prevent burnout, use positive habits like taking a walk, participate in hobbies & learn new things… isn’t that just living a healthy happy life?! But put into words that make sense and broken down in a way that is easy to see an area that may be lacking.

I know I don’t have a lot of free time like a lot of other busy moms, but I know I can start evaluating areas of self-care, find where I’m lacking, and start working to improve those areas. Not all of them at once, just one step at a time, starting with realizing there is room for improvement and it’s totally doable. Not just for me, for everyone. 

Cheers to a happier healthier life,

-Jess