In my coaching practice, I have learned that it isn’t always easy shifting our thinking from “caring for others” to “caring for ourselves”. Most of my clients exist in a world where home-life is just as demanding work-life. Finding the time, or even knowing how to put ourselves on the to-do list, feels like a foreign concept.
I typically teach my clients a multifaceted approach to exploring the practice of self-care. I ask them to think about their self-care needs in 3 different ways: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Practicing physical self-care is asking yourself, how can I nourish my body? This may include getting more sleep, stretching, engaging in fitness, taking a hot shower, or any other activity that recharges or de-stresses the body. This is where most people start thinking about bath salt and massages. But the truth is, physical self-care can be simple and as no-cost as taking a nap.
EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Emotional self-care has to do with being able to recognize your feelings and emotions, and also being able to nurture them. You may ask yourself, what are my emotions telling me about my needs? Do I need to connect with friends? Do I need to enjoy some time alone? Am a feeling burnt out and in need of a break? How can I nourish my creative side? How can I nourish my mind? What is weighing on my conscience?
SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
Spiritual self-care is all about nourishing our spiritual and intellectual side. It may or may not have to do with practicing a religion or yoga, but spiritual self-care will typically have to do with giving you a deeper sense of meaning.
So my question to you is, which dimension of your self-care is in need of a little TLC?
What would you like to nourish the most right now?
Share your thoughts in the comments or on Facebook.