We play many roles in our life journey, each requiring our precious time and energy (our “resources”). We freely and lovingly use our resources while fulfilling our meaningful roles (in work, family, and beyond), knowing our resources are well-spent on others. However, our individual needs can become lost among the waves of our everyday responsibilities (this is sometimes unavoidable, as you may know). But if you’re continually not practicing enough self-care, your overall well-being can be negatively impacted, as well as your happiness levels. Caring for yourself (i.e., self-care) is a critical part of your wellbeing, and you should be mindful of your needs, nurturing yourself on all levels.

Table of Contents

• Busy World, Busy Life
• What Does Self-Care Encompass?
• 6 Categories of Self-Care
• Why Prioritize Self-Care?
• How To Be Mindful of Self-Care
• The Takeaway

Busy World, Busy Life

One primary reason it can be challenging to prioritize self-care is the dynamic nature of our modern lives; as a result of today’s busy culture (and its advances), we’ve become overly busy ourselves. Many can’t find the time in their current schedule, as they’re simply “too busy.” The responsibilities placed upon us continually expand, yet the time we’re allotted for everything we do remains the same.

Additionally, we’re provided a plethora of technological amenities and readily available everything, including infinite knowledge (thanks to the internet) and instant entertainment (thanks to social media and streaming services). Technology has its perks but can siphon too much of our time and energy without our awareness, adding to our busyness.

Our modern world can drain resources (in more than one way) because it serves up a barrage of non-stop stimuli and new demands. The demands and distractions are real, keeping so many busier than ever. Although we live in a busy world, you can always slow down and pay attention (to yourself) and your needs. But, before learning more about self-care awareness, let’s look at what self-care entails.

What Does Self-Care Encompass?

Self-care encompasses a broad range of themes, from setting boundaries to allocating time to do the stuff you love most. Not surprisingly, your self-care will be unique to your individual needs, temperament, and preferences.

For example, one person’s preferred physical self-care might be “working up a sweat” at the gym, whereas that particular type of self-care would be a personal hell to another.

Although our individual needs and preferences may differ, most forms of self-care will fall under one of these six categories: physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social/relational, and safety/security; we should identify and realize all of our needs (mind, body, and spirit).

6 Categories of Self-Care

• Physical Self-Care relates to physical wellness (actions include exercise/activity level, food choice, sleep, wellness visits, etc.).

• Emotional Self-Care involves our feelings and outlets for them. Some care examples are relaxation techniques (like meditation), listening to music, gardening, hiking, or talking to a friend (or therapist).

• Spiritual Self-Care pertains to spiritual expression and exploration (finding your deeper self and your purpose). Connecting with nature, meditation, prayer, affirmations, reading spiritual text, and self-enquiry are only a few of many ways to practice.

Why Prioritize Self-Care?

When you nurture all of yourself, you improve overall wellness and live a well-balanced life (enhancing your life’s quality)! On the contrary, if you aren’t prioritizing your care (and adequately tending to all your needs), you inadvertently create an imbalance within your life. As an effect, you may become overwhelmed, stressed, physically unwell, and possibly feel lost or depressed.

Self-care benefits total wellness!

Self-care benefits your total health, mind, and body. Wellness perks correlate to the type of self-care practiced. For instance, practicing mindfulness as emotional self-care boosts relaxation and reduces stress, while exercising as physical self-care betters heart health and increases strength (both mindfulness and exercise offer additional perks, but we’re keeping it simple).

You harness the ability to maintain balance in your world.

Balance follows when you compassionately and consistently care for all of your needs. You can skillfully navigate the roads of life and enjoy the ride along the journey, tackling whatever obstacles may arise while maintaining balance and centeredness.

You’ll positively impact those around you.

It all trickles down. Though caring for yourself benefits your total wellness, it steadily trickles down (transfers) to your loved ones and all others. We can give the best of ourselves when we feel our best!

When you practice self-care, you cultivate self-love.

Self-care itself is an act of self-love. As you take the time to care for yourself, you cultivate more self-love. Loving yourself nourishes all of you.

How To Be Mindful of Self-Care

Recognizing when it’s time to care for and refresh ourselves calls for awareness. You must be mindful of your needs to nurture yourself fully. Learn to tune in to yourself and give yourself the same time and energy you affectionately provide others. Below are a few ways you can be mindful of your needs and support your care.

Explore Your Needs Mindfully

In the space of mindfulness, your perception is clearer; you view yourself through a lens of loving-kindness. Hence, you can peacefully and productively explore what will help you feel happy, healthy, and whole.

Basic Instructions to Explore Your Needs Mindfully: You can bring yourself to the present moment with a simple breathing exercise (focus your attention on your breath until your mind is more tranquil), or you can use another mindfulness technique. Once ready, delve into your thoughts and feelings with an open mind and heart. The idea is to mindfully sort through possibilities and solutions regarding your purposeful needs.

Monitor Your State of Mind and Body

Pay attention to your state of mind throughout your waking hours. Any time you notice yourself dwelling within a detrimental or agitated state, take a few deep breaths to center yourself before you become overwhelmed in that state of being. Remember, we are supposed to feel; emotions are inherent to us as humans, so don’t repress your emotions. Instead, face them while mindful, determining how you can best meet your needs.

You may instinctively know which type(s) of self-care will nourish or refresh you. If not, direct your attention to the thought(s) attached to your current state of being. Then ponder questions like, “which of my thoughts caused me to feel this way?” and “what occurrence(s) influenced my thinking?” After identifying the root, you can address your needs.

In addition, pay attention to your bodily sensations. This act will help to identify your body’s basic requirements. If necessary, you can do a mindful body scan while asking questions like, “where am I feeling the tension in my body?” and “what can I do to feel better?” or any question relevant to your situation.

Organize your life in a manner which facilitates self-care time

You’ll discover what you need to feel happy and whole through mindfulness. Yet you must still make or take the time for your care. Of course, you can almost always squeeze in a little bit of “you time” when it’s a priority. But you can also schedule time for yourself and organize your life in a manner that permits said time (letting it be known, so your loved ones can anticipate and support your self-care time.

The above approaches will help keep you mindful of your self-care requirements. Side note: sometimes, the root of your agitated mental states may involve people. So, don’t forget boundary-setting within the realm of self-care.

The Takeaway

Self-care encompasses caring for all facets of your being. Although you may sometimes lose yourself amongst the waves of your responsibilities, you can always find yourself again. It all begins with awareness, friends. Take care of yourselves.