You’ve probably heard the word self-care a lot, but what does it really mean? Some people think it’s about pampering yourself, like going to a spa, or distracting yourself from stress by binge-watching TV. But according to PsychCentral:
“Self-care is any activity we do on purpose to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.”
This means self-care isn’t just about relaxing—it’s an important part of staying healthy. It affects how strong our bodies are, how we feel mentally, and even our overall quality of life.
Why Is Self-Care So Important?
- 60% of people in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease
- 40% have two or more
These numbers (from the CDC) will rise as the United States population gets older.
Good self-care can:
- Improve your health
- Reduce the effects of disease
- Prevent illness
- Support mental health
But don’t wait until you feel sick to start. Begin now!
Areas of Self-Care and Examples
Self-care means doing things on purpose to take care of your body, mind, and emotions. It's not just about relaxation, but it's am important part of staying healthy.
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Category
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Examples
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Physical
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Drink water, sleep well, exercise, see your doctor
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Mental
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Practice mindfulness, play games, learn new skills
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Social
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Make friends, set boundaries, spend time with loved ones
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Financial
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Make a budget, save money, pay off debt
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Emotional
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Manage stress, gratitude journal, seek therapy
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Spiritual
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Practice your faith, explore your values, be part of something bigger than yourself
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Environmental
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Keep your space clean, calming colors, add nature
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Professional
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Grow in your career, prevent burnout
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Recreation
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Do hobbies, relax, play games with friends or family
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Make Time for Joy!
Life is busy, and we often stop doing things that make us happy. Ask yourself: What brings me joy? Thinking about what used to bring you happiness will help you help you add joy back into your life. For example, if playing soccer isn't safe anymore, you might go watch an Indy Eleven game instead. Check our our worksheet on Play History below.
Self-Care = Stress Management
Self-care methods also help us manage stress in healthy ways (Greater Good: Are We Getting Self-Care Wrong). To work best, self-care should be done every day. That might sound hard, but even small steps help--like meditating for 5 minutes in your car during lunch. Every little bit makes life feel calmer.
Time to Start!
How can you know where to start? The Blissful Mind has a short quiz to help you begin (click here).
For an extensive list of other self-care ideas by category, click here . Also see below many other resources.
References:
- https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt
- https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/are_we_getting_self_care_wrong
- The Blissful Mind- www.theblissfulmind.com