5 Self-Care Areas For Balance

In recent years there has been an uptick in the number of people who are suffering from burnout, high stress, anxiety, and more. 

The modern world is so demanding, and not everyone thrives being told we need to work 8-8, run five miles a day, do yoga, eat well, sleep 8 hours, do hours of creative activity, have a clean home… You get it, the list is endless! 

There are some personalities that, no matter what you throw at them, tackle it, and others that prefer an easier pace. Unfortunately in a loud world the introverts and the quiet people can’t be heard. 

What they have to say might be the most important thing though. 

Can we just take a minute? 

When we talk about self-care, often it is just surface level. A warm cup of tea, a bath, and an early night. 

But not everything can be solved with bubbles and camomile sadly. 

As people, we have many needs, even if we look at something like the hierarchy of needs (Maslow) the triangle covers a lot of points. 

So it’s time to look at self care for the whole human. 

Self-Care Areas For Balance

Social self-care

When life kicks up a notch, and we are busy, we often don’t want to extend the time we need to spend meeting the demands of others with socializing. 

Socializing is incredibly important for humans – even those who don’t like people, are introverted, or naturally quiet. 

The trick is that it needs to be the right people, not just any people. 

So ask yourself whether you are getting enough face-to-face time with the people you love. Have you been watering those all-important relationships lately? If not, dip your toe in the water and send a text. 

Spiritual self-care

You don’t have to believe in God to be spiritual. But most people believe in the idea of something. Looking after your spirit might be exploring that further, or looking for deeper meaning in some things. 

Looking at your connection with the universe, and maybe even your purpose. Pretty big questions, but fun nonetheless. 

Ask yourself if you are indulging your spiritual self the way you would like to? 

Metal self-care

Mental health is often better left to the professionals, but it can take a long time for people to ask for the help that they need. If you are taking risks or dabbling in unsafe behavior, you need to ask yourself, is that what you want? 

Self-medication, or looking for ways to feel better, is a very common symptom that there is more than meets the eye to your mental health. Get support from your physician and Sunshine Behavioural Health to get your mental health back on track. 

Perhaps you don’t have anything so severe; you just feel a little off from time to time. Look at a few ways to keep yourself mentally stimulated and healthy. 

Physical self-care

In a world filled with supermodels, pressure-filled media, and body positivity, it’s okay to be body neutral. Your body serves a purpose; it works hard every day to give us what we need. 

Taking care of your physical needs looks at eating well, moving in a way that feels good to you, taking medication if you need to, wearing glasses, going to the dentists. Keeping your one and only vessel well maintained. 

If it has been a while since you thought about your physical self-care, ask yourself – have you taken charge of your health? When was the last time you moved in a way that you enjoyed just for fun? 

Emotional self-care

In the last few years, it has been more evident that as children, not everyone was supported and raised in the best way; many people are unpicking years of trauma and trauma responses. 

Healthy coping skills for sadness, anger, anxiety, or change aren’t easy to cultivate. 

While it might not be serious, there is also a trend of simply not dealing with feelings. When feelings are left undealt, they can fester away and cause more issues. Not only that but the unhealthy bottling up of emotions can also present itself as a physical issue. 

We aren’t all blessed with parents, partners, or family who understand how we feel, and it can often feel like you are getting dismissed. Potentially you may feel embarrassed to talk about how you feel too. 

This is where looking outside your regular circle for someone to speak to can be beneficial. Therapy can change how you deal with your emotions and unlock the path to a healthy emotional balance and a well-adjusted emotional system. 

If you aren’t ready to tackle all five points, start by taking care of yourself over one of the busiest times of the year; read more: How to Take Care of Yourself This Holiday Season.