-Written by Traci Hart, LPC  

What thoughts come to mind when you think about self care? Most of us think about bubble baths, massages, and other self-pampering activities. Although those activities can be a part of your self care, the relaxing effects are not long lasting. 

Holistic self care is about creating a lifestyle of consistent actions that nurtures all aspects of our being in order to experience holistic health. Holistic health is about caring for our whole person by providing for our physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional well-being. 

How we provide for these needs will vary from person to person. What works for one person may not work for another. Also, you may find yourself needing to implement different approaches during different seasons of your life.

The following are a few examples of activities for each area of our well-being:

  • Physical- exercise, nutrition, sleep hygiene, hygiene
  • Social- spending time with loved ones, talking with a friend
  • Spiritual- practicing your faith, connectivity, knowing your purpose
  • Intellectual- reading, learning, doing a puzzle, experiencing the arts
  • Emotional- journaling, talking with a therapist, relaxing, mindfulness/meditation

Why is Self Care Important? 

Research shows multiple benefits for nurturing all five areas of well-being:

  • It helps manage stress
  • It helps lower risk of illness
  • It helps increase energy
  • It helps boost mood
  • It improves relationships
  • It improves sleep quality
  • It improves focus
  • It increases confidence

How do we make time for self care?

In order for self care to be effective, we must practice it consistently. Time can become an obstacle when our calendars are booked from sun up to sun down. Our culture’s propensity for busyness leaves little time for self care. However, our lack of self care can lead to higher stress levels, low energy, a weakened immune system, just to name a few. Here are a few tips on how to make time for self care:

  • Wake up early.
  • Use a planner and set a schedule.
  • Reduce time on social media.
  • Use technology where you can (grocery delivery, immediate response to questions, etc).
  • Make it fun!
  • Ask for help

What self care is NOT

With all of that said, it is also important to mention what self-care is not. It is not meant to be used as a means of avoidance of mental health issues that need to be addressed. Nor is it a cure for all that ails us. 

Also, it is not meant to be another obligation that you have to check off of your to-do list. When something becomes a “have to”, we tend to resist it. Practicing self-care does not have to be a major production and it does not have to be time consuming. It can be as simple as slowing down and taking a few slow and deep breaths to expressing daily gratitude.

 

Traci Hart, LPC is passionate about helping people practice holistic self-care and give themselves the nurturance that they so often pour out to others. If you would like to learn more about how to practice holistic self-care, reach out today to schedule an appointment.