Proper Self-Care Combats Stresses in your Life

by Valerie Demetros

Oprah Winfrey has called bathing her hobby and even has a hand-carved marble and onyx bathtub, carved to the shape of her body. Now that’s serious self-care.

You may not have a handcarved tub for soaking, or feel like you have the time to relax, but the sentiment remains — you need to make self-care a priority in your life.

A study published in the Journal of Mental Health Counseling found that those who engage in self-care practices are more resilient and less likely to face burnout when dealing with stress.

With the right self-care, you can be more productive and face each stress with a renewed energy. Of course, self-care means something different to each person. Here are a few suggestions and different types of self-care.

PHYSICAL

Physical self-care is any activity that can help you enhance your physical well-being. To start, eat healthy, exercise, get a full night’s sleep and get a physical each year.

You may want to hire a personal trainer — which ensures you’ve carved out time and may make you more accountable.

Consider getting a fitness tracker to help you keep track of your workouts, and reward yourself for being consistent. If you can, give yourself an occasional spa day, facial, massage or mani-pedi.

EMOTIONAL

You experience different types of emotions every day. Emotional self-care is learning to cope with your feelings, identify the source, express them and deal with them.

This can mean talking to a therapist or a trusted friend, journaling, creating your own art or trying to avoid unhealthy relationships.

MENTAL

Mental self-care is just that — an activity to stimulate your mind and build a healthy mentality.

There are many ways to foster this including podcasts, crossword puzzles, chess or board games, meditating, learning a new language or even taking a class in something that interests you.

SPIRITUAL

Spiritual self-care nurtures your spirit and allows you to expand your thoughts on the world and yourself. It is building a deeper sense of connection and understanding while cultivating a sense of deep calm.

Try meditation, yoga, forest bathing, praying or reading a spiritual book that inspires you.

SOCIAL

Self-care doesn’t always mean solitary activities. Connecting with others is important, even for introverts. Take the time to reach out to others however you choose including dinner, happy hour, date night or even new activities that promote new friendships.

General self-care can include organizing your closet, meal prepping for the week ahead or even tidying up your space.

A study by the American Psychology Association found that financial worries cause stress, anxiety and depression. So do a little financial self-care and create a budget, save your money or even speak with a financial consultant.

There is no one-sizefits-all when it comes to self-care. Find out what you need and put it into practice for a better life.