“Self care is giving yourself permission to pause.” - Cecilia Tran

What is Self-Care?

Self-care can be interpreted in many different ways as it different for each and everyone of us. It can generally be described as the holistic view of health and wellness practices to look after one's self- mind, body and spirit.

I always look at self-care as putting on my own mask first so I can support those around me. Think of getting on a plane when they do the emergency procedures and you are told to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others.

Self-care is about:

• identifying and prioritising your essential needs

• creating healthy behaviours and habits so that you can nurture yourself

• looking after yourself (this is not selfish but essential) so you can put your best self forward and provide value within the world you live.

With that said, lets delve into the 9 pillars of Self-care for you to start your journey and self discovery.

1. Physical Self-Care

 Physical self-care involves having the energy and strength to enable you to perform your very best. It involves the body, health, nutrition, sleep, rest, physical touch and sexual needs.

2. Physiological or Mental Self-Care

Physiological self-care involves engaging in intrinsic motivation, making the right decisions and responding effectively to life's challenges.

3. Emotional Self - Care

Emotional self-care is about our ability to recognise, express and manage our emotions in a healthy way. It increase empathy, develops compassion for yourself and others and manages stress effectively.

4. Social Self-Care

Social self-care is about in-person connections by surrounding yourself with those care and offer you support systems when you are experiencing difficult and challenging times. It is important to have a sense of belonging and community.

5. Professional (or Occupational) Self-care

Professional self-care is about work-life and where out strengths, gifts and talent fit in whilst being true to your purpose. It is also about having clear professional boundaries, which has gotten harder with the increase in hybrid working).

6. Environmental Self-Care

Environmental self-care is about your immediate surroundings and the community in which you live. This is about having an organised and clutter-free environment at home and work, having clean clothes and a clean home. This pillar of self-care is also about minimising waste and monitoring time spent on technology.

7. Spiritual Self-Care

Spiritual self-care involves your beliefs and values. These are important to you and guide your life and include your goals and practices that support you in developing spiritual awareness.

8. Financial Self-Care

Financial self-care is taking and being responsible for your finances, including your living expenses, income, insurances, savings, and having a healthy and conscious relationship with money.

9. Nutritional Self-Care

Nutritional self-care is how we pay careful attention to our diet based on age, sex, activity level and body chemistry. All to often we ignore this however by consuming nutritional foods that feed our body and mind gives us the necessary nutrients we need for our day-to-day energy and bodily processes.

Get your guide to self-care