8 Types Of Self Care That I Find Essential As A 20-Something Newly Independent Woman

Gone are the days when self-care meant self-indulgence. Today, people understand the importance of it. Here are eight types of self-care for everyone!

It sounds so selfish to most of us when we talk of self care. I have been brought up in a home so well bound that the concept of self care never existed. And I’ve seen my mother taking care of the whole family and not paying attention to herself at all. But then again, she did not feel the need either, because there were a bunch of other people taking care of her. That is what happens in joint families. The concept of taking care of yourself is considered selfish.

Growing up in such a family, I never learnt self care. I did hear about it, but to me it was an extra indulgence. Something that the extra rich would do to pass their time. And something that came into the Indian system from the west. I never considered the importance of it.

I went for my post graduation to a new city, away from my family. New people, new life- it wasn’t easy at all. Never having taken care of myself, it was a very novice experience for me.

No, it was not about having to get up on your own, or arranging your own breakfast or about washing your clothes. I am talking about actually taking care of yourself.

Dealing with peer pressure, setting up boundaries, not doing what you do not want to do, saying no, spending time with yourself, doing things that made you happy, was the tough part.

It was then that I realised how important self care is. Listed here are certain ways of of taking care of yourself. These not only include physical and emotional care, but a lot more than that.

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Physical self care

The only place that you have to live in this world is your body, so it is the first thing you should be concerned about. This doesn’t mean you have to have a vigorous gym routine.

Taking small steps towards betterment is good for now. Having a proper sleep schedule, drinking enough water, taking care of your diet, exercising a little can all help you get there. Self care should not feel like an obligation, it should be something you enjoy doing.

Emotional self care

This is about knowing your emotions better. Knowing what triggers which emotion in you and how you handle that. Being mindful of your feelings and using them to your strength is what emotional self care is.

An important part of emotional self care is learning to say NO. Emotional self care is to avoid the bottleneck traffic of your emotions and learning to release them on time.

Being able to express your emotions is the first thing you need to learn. A few techniques are maintaining journal, mindfulness, and meditation.

Intellectual self care 

This type of self care includes something that enhances your knowledge and challenges your mind. Learning a new skill or language, reading a book, watching a documentary on topics that interest you are all intellectual self care.

Enhancing your knowledge, problem solving skills, language skills all are as important for your personal growth as they are for your professional growth.

Social self care 

By nature, humans are social beings. We usually want to stay in groups and communities while the intensity of the interactions depend on each person’s temperament.

Whether an introvert or extrovert, everyone needs some connection, a human touch, as we call it. So striking conversations with people, meeting old friends or calling a loved on, going on vacations are all a part of this self-care regimen.

Spacial self care

You live in your body but the body lives somewhere else. Your house, workplace, car are all your spaces. Having your space organised, clean, healthy and safe is what spacial self care is all about. Keeping things organised helps you build energy and also brings clarity of thought. 

Financial self care

Most of the exhaustion comes in our life because of our finances. We always want to get something that is not backed up by our finances. And are always short money.  We tend to run out of money by the end of the month.

Financial self care includes planning finances, budgeting, saving and investing so that you have enough for things you actually need. It also helps make sure that you don’t spend it all without realising where you spent it.

Spiritual self care

Spiritual does not mean religious. Though for some, it might mean so. Spiritual self care is when you feed your soul, you seek inner peace, search for serenity.

It can be spending time in nature, volunteering for the community, donating to charity. Spiritual self care may also mean meditation, working on your aura and energy, finding a purpose for your own self.

Sensory self care

Your senses is where every mental process starts. What you see, hear, taste, touch and smell makes everything in your life.

Being alert on your sensory capabilities is what mindfulness is all about. Your senses need their feed too.

So watch nature, listen to soothing music, light your favourite scented candles, anything that helps your senses in healing. 

These 8 types of self care is what every person needs in their life. Also, self care is not an indulgence, it is a discipline of making yourself your first priority.

A version of this was first published here.

Picture credits: Pexels

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