Self-care is much more than beauty routines.
In fact, incorporating self-care habits into your life can elevate your wellbeing in a variety of different ways.
Practicing self-care can make you happier, more productive, at peace and so much more.
That’s why it is super important to know what are the five dimensions of self-care and how to incorporate them into your daily habits so that you live a happier life.
Get examples and inspiration for each dimension to achieve more productivity, happiness and fulfillment in your day-to-day.
Hi girls, how are you today?
Are you tired of hearing the word self-care yet?
I guess 2021 was a challenging year for all of us in our own ways.
Every now and then, I still have ups and downs and a wave of emotions takes over me, which some days are harder to control than others (poor Cris).
Even though this topic has been said and done, it makes me truly happy to see more and more people from every age, gender, and nationality retreating from the hectic work culture and realizing that making time for ourselves is vital towards living a happy and fulfilling life.
Of course, with there is a HUGE misconception when it comes to self-care..
Is self-care it taking a bath, getting a massage, and painting your nails?
Maybe.
But there is so much more to it than that.
Today, I will tell you all about the five dimensions of self-care and give you tons of practical ideas that you can start incorporating into your self-care regime.
Table of Contents
First, What is Self-Care?
Before we dive into the five dimensions of self-care, let’s get started with a quick and easy definition of this word that has been thrown around so often lately, shall we?
Self-care is defined as activities and practices we engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and enhance our overall well-being be it emotionally physically or spiritually.
The word ‘regular‘ is important, though.
That-s because self-care are practices that we need to fit into our days often, rather than just once in a while.
Ultimately, self-care is about finding something that you can do on a regular basis to make you feel comfortable and relaxed, away from the pressure of your daily endeavors.
Meditating once in blue moon will do very little for your overall ability to focus and control your thoughts from external negativity. In the same way as eating a salad only once a week will not be as impacting as a daily intake of fresh greens, and so on.
But, equally important, I appreciate the opportunity to switch off and let my brain rest for a while. This could range from laying in bed in the morning or night without a phone or distractions, to meditating and even going for a walk.
I know friends who use CBD products like this broad spectrum trauma oil to help them relax and de-stress during the day – plus, CBD has a whole host of physical benefits, so can really have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing.
While certain practices may work for others, you may find some really don’t work for you.
And you know what?
That’s perfectly alright!
I have a friend who recently told me that she has tried many times but she simply cannot understand why people love to meditate. Even after a continual effort to understand it, she said this simply doesn’t feel right for her. On the other hand, she says that nothing puts her mind to ease as much as a morning walk in nature or drinking tea in silence before bed.
As you can imagine, there are endless possibilities for your self-care practices that might work best for you. So there is really no need to stress if something everyone else is doing doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
Humans are complex creatures and we are not a one-size-fits-all kind of beings.
One great way to look at it is by splitting it into five different self-care dimensions that make for a well-rounded approach.
The 3 Main Dimensions of Self-Care
In general, there are three different dimensions that people emphasize the most when it comes to self-care:
- Mental
- Physical
- Spiritual
However, know that there are also two ‘bonus’ dimensions: social and emotional.
Incorporating activities from each dimension into your life means you’ll be nourishing every aspect of your life and ultimately getting better at taking care of yourself (probably without even realizing you’re doing it. this is what I call ‘self-care auto-pilot’).
Let’s dive a little deeper into these different five dimensions of self-care by explaining what they are and how you can benefit from them, as well as giving examples for each dimension so you can begin thinking about which self-care practices you want to incorporate into your life regularly.
Are you ready?
Let’s do this!
What Are the 5 Dimensions of Self-Care
So, with all that said, let’s cover the 5 different dimensions of wellbeing. It’s important to pay attention to each of these, as self-care comprises a combination of all five.
- Mental
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Social
- Emotional
1) Mental
Did you know that the desire to learn new concepts and expand your knowledge contributes positively to your overall well-being?
Mental self-care is about finding the balance between stimulating your mind and giving your mind a break. And this can certainly help with creativity, innovation, and continual learning.
I’m a big advocate for personal growth and most of my friends know that it is not uncommon to find me with a non-fiction book at hands. I love reading ever since I was a kid and many of the tips I give here are from books that I’ve read throughout my life.
Check my absolute favorite book recommendations at my Amazon Storefront.
But, equally important, I appreciate the opportunity to switch off and let my brain rest for a while. This could range from laying in bed in the morning or night without a phone or distractions, to meditating and even going for a walk.
Examples of Mental Self-Care:
- Reading a book
- Taking a class
- Listening to a podcast
- Learning a new language
2) Physical
The physical dimension of self-care encompasses safety, health, nutrition, movement, physical touch, and sexual needs.
When you practice activities for your physical well-being, you can increase your energy levels and ultimately boost your self-esteem.
Examples of Physical Self-Care:
- Trying a new workout
- Taking a warm bath or long mindful shower
- Eating nourishing foods that are good for you
- Dancing around your room
- Allowing yourself to sleep into getting extra sleep
- Laughing out loud
- Cuddling your partner
3) Spiritual
The spiritual dimension of self-care involves a personal practice that allows you to follow the values and beliefs that give your life purpose and meaning.
Regardless of your religion or personal beliefs, dedicating time to this dimension can help you find more meaning in life, develop a sense of belonging, and find a connection to something greater than oneself.
No matter which way you choose to learn about religion, it is important to take your time to dive deep into what each and every religion entitles. For example, if you are willing to learn about Christianity you can read the Bible, attend church, and read Christian blogs. Alternatively, rather than reading (if you’re more into interactive learning), you can try ministry games for youth groups. This is a fun, dynamic way to learn about religion by having a fun experience and sharing it with your peers.
Even if you’re not religious, it’s still important to make a connection with the spiritual dimension somehow, even if it is by practicing gratitude.
Examples of Spiritual Self-Care:
- Going on a nature walk
- Attending a religious service
- Practicing gratitude
- Practicing yoga
- Volunteering with a local organization
- Trying meditation or another mindfulness practice
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4) Social
Even though most people associate self-care with themselves, social connection is another important dimension of self-care.
However, social connection helps create a sense of belonging and acceptance which, want it or not, we humans need, which allows us to create and share a common bond with others.
I personally struggled with this dimension back in 2020.
After being in a complete lockdown here in Barcelona for over 3 months, I started adapting to the hermit lifestyle and I got used to only being alone with my boyfriend more than I’d care to admit.
When I realized it, I was feeling lazy to go out and meet people and social interactions started giving me anxiety. However, soon I started feeling sad and excluded from the world and this only increased my anxiety.
Soon I had to make the decision to get out of my comfort zone and interact with a few friends, even if only for a bit.
Examples of Social Self-Care:
- Going to a workout class
- Walking with friends
- Joining or starting a club (my friends have a weekly whisky club, for example, where we taste whisky and eat cheese, lol)
- Texting friends whom you haven’t spoken in a while
- Sending family members a voice message
- Organizing a dinner for others
PS – A little trick I recently learned and I enjoy practicing is, whenever I think of someone, regardless of who they are, I make the conscious effort to send them a message and tell them I was thinking of them.
This is a great way to interact with people and not let old friendships die.
Try this method out and get ready to feel your soul warm up with love.
5) Emotional
Tapping into the emotional self-care dimension helps us understand ourselves more, cope with challenges, and develop and nourish healthy relationships. When we tend to our emotional needs, we cultivate a greater sense of compassion, kindness, and love for ourselves and others around us.
Examples of Emotional Self-Care:
- Writing in a gratitude journal
- Saying positive affirmations
- Diffusing essential oils
- Saying no
- Writing yourself a letter
- Sending yourself flowers
- Connecting with a family member you love
- Seeing a therapist
Putting It Into Practice
Now that you’ve learned all about the five dimensions of self-care, think about how you might start to incorporate them into your regular routine.
Maybe it’s walking with a friend on your lunch break? it could also mean turning off your phone and reading a book before bed instead. Or even trying out some positive affirmations in the morning to get your day started on a happy note. Perhaps you could try in-home Indianapolis IV therapy to revitalize your body with essential vitamins and fluids to help you feel your best.
You could also try incorporating them into the Self-Care Power Hour.
Simply think about what you would find fun or relaxing and make a conscious effort to do more of it regularly.
We love hearing from you!
Did you like this post?
What do you think about the five dimensions of self-care? Have they changed your perspective of self-care in any way?
Let us know in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your favorite self-care practice and how you plan to incorporate the 5 self-care dimensions into your daily routines.
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