Self care is very much a buzz word in society today. From articles and books to Instagram infographics, there isn’t one area of the media that isn’t promoting self care. And with the shift in our culture we’ve seen with the spread of Covid-19, it’s unsurprising that we’re starting to look inwardly and nurture our own senses of wellbeing more.
But before we dive into the best holistic methods of self care, let’s look at what exactly self care is.
What is self care?
Self care is the intentional act of looking after your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. This includes decisions that you make for your wellbeing such as setting boundaries as well as actions like meditation.
Self care may be new to us in the West, but self care rituals have been an integral part of many different cultures for centuries. Many of the activities that we’re talking about today originate from communities of color and their religions. Let’s look at a few.
Natural supplements and herbs
A part of self care is looking after your physical health, and alongside eating healthily and exercising regularly, taking natural supplements is an act of self care. This can be done through mindful cooking, making tea or taking supplements such as Cannabidiol. Regular use of herbs and natural supplements keeps your body and mind healthy, as well as encouraging you to have healthy habits.
Meditation
Meditation is an ancient Indian practice that is an important part of spiritual wellness in the Hindu and Buddhist religions. It emcompasses things like breath control and mindfulness to encourage you to be present in the moment. It’s been proven to relieve stress, boost your mood and regulate your emotions, and can be a powerful tool to help you understand yourself more.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is another Eastern tradition utilizing the power of essential oils to ease tension and anxiety in the body and mind whilst creating a sense of relaxation and peace. From lavender for stress relief to lemongrass for invigoration, you can use aromatherapy and incense to cleanse your space and set your intentions. Try finding a diffuser for your living space to encourage an atmosphere of peace and intention.
Journaling
Journaling is a powerful tool for self reflection that makes a great self care activity. Working through your thoughts can ease feelings of anxiety, increase emotional intelligence and self awareness. When you’re more in touch with your emotions, you’re more in touch with your needs and can make the changes you need to maintain your own wellbeing.
Get a massage
This is another ancient Eastern practice that physically releases tension in the body and increases mobility and the flow of energy in your body. You can go to a professional for a massage, or for those on more of a budget, practice self massage. Using an oil on areas you have tension in your body such as your limbs and neck, you can use certain movements to relieve pain and tension.
Self care is a vital part of maintaining your wellbeing and prioritizing your own needs, and something we can all benefit from.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.
