By Rhonda Armbrust
Self-care has as many definitions as there are people in the world. Everyone looks at it from their perspective. Buddhists might think it means several hours of meditation each day and fasting from lunch to the following morning. A CEO might choose to turn off their cell phone on the weekends. A mother may need regular date nights with her husband.
At Best Life-ing, we look at self-care from the framework of the seven crucial areas of life: physical, spiritual, financial, relational, vocational, intellectual, and social.
In all these areas, it is important to be aware of what works for you. In the physical sphere of self-care, many people follow the Food Guide Pyramid or the World Health Organization guidelines. But, what if you are gluten or lactose intolerant? What if you are vegan? You can learn how to take care of yourself by getting nutritional and allergy tests, by trial and error. If you are in tune with what your body tells you, you can implement habits that create health.
Movement is essential for keeping your blood flowing and aiding the lymphatic system in cleansing your body. Explore the myriad forms of exercise until you find the one that makes you feel good, that improves your stamina, strength, and well-being. Try whatever sparks your interest, from boxing to deep-sea diving. The important thing is that you regularly engage in exercise.
No one denies that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is a good thing. Everyone knows our bodies require movement and exercise. Science has shown that obesity and a poor diet can lead to disease. These things are a given. So, use them as your basis and grow your personalized self-care strategy from there.
Next up, spiritual. Everyone arrives on this planet with little information about where we came from. I doubt there is anyone who hasn’t asked the questions: why am I here, what should I be doing, what is true about existence, do I have a purpose to fulfill? At Best Life-ing we offer regression hypnosis that can answer these questions.
Many people grow their spiritual side over time. They might choose to follow a religion they were raised in, or something different. Some take the road of an atheist or an agnostic. In our society, we pride ourselves on freedom of religion.
One method to promote spirituality is meditation. Sitting in silence can enrich your spiritual nature and help you make positive choices by allowing you to evaluate your path while in a calm space. Hypnosis is another way to explore spiritual topics you want to know more about. Both strategies can improve your sense of peace and contentment, which is a major goal of self-care.
Thinking in terms of abundance doesn’t mean an excessive amount of money as much as it means managing your finances. Having extra money on hand can alleviate stress. Self-care in this area requires discipline to save money that is not earmarked for anything. It’s not necessarily used for disasters. It can be used for taking a fantastic vacation, buying something special for a friend, or splurging on a new home decorating idea you came up with. Invest in yourself and your future.
Embracing a realistic view of money is important. People sometimes get spoiled by having it, or want more. And to maintain a healthy perspective, be sure to give to those who are struggling and be grateful for what you have. That is a win-win for all parties involved, including you.
How you earn money is typically in the vocational realm. But your vocation is not just about that. It is also about fulfillment. If you haven’t as yet discovered your passion, you can still do work that you find fulfilling.
It is very important, in terms of self-care, that you quit doing a job that is detrimental to your well-being, is not rewarding, or is causing you too much stress. Life is short and when you are unhappy in a position, you should change that.
Do you have a stressful job or life? Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? If so, you should seek remedies. Meditation is a helpful way to deal with stress and anxiety. Other options are exercise and spending time in nature. Best Life-ing workshops can show you ways to ease stress, anxiety, or depression. Best Life-ing essential balance services
Now let's delve into the relational and social areas of life. You have likely heard the lyrics: “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” I dare to add that they are also the happiest. Humans are social animals. We need each other. Although we learn a lot through our social challenges, when things are not working well in a relationship that you value, it can make you feel terrible.
Self-care in relationships is about setting boundaries. Don’t expect people to read your mind. Tell them what you can and can’t live with, accept, or tolerate. That will give you a solid foundation for all your relationships, whether it is with family, friends, or romantic partners. Another aspect of self-care is communication. It’s hard to establish a healthy relationship if you can’t be honest and express yourself openly.
An important piece of self-care is to know when to let go of someone. If you are getting more bad than good from someone, or if you are seeing signs of potential abuse, it’s time to say goodbye. Remember, your life is in your hands and you are your own best friend. Choose your inner circle wisely and surround yourself with inspiring, positive people you can talk to and that you have things in common.
Taking good care of yourself is never selfish. You and everyone you encounter will be better off with a cared for self. If you don’t do it, who will? You are responsible for working toward physical and mental well-being. Have you ever known someone who wouldn’t address their problems? Don’t be that person.
If you need help to determine what you need to change in your self-care strategy or want to learn how to create the life of your dreams, contact us at Best Life-ing today. We’ll walk you through an evaluation that can unlock your answers, then support you down the road to your success. Bestlifeing.com