You know how we often think of self-care as just those quiet moments we try to squeeze in, like a quick meditation or maybe finally getting around to that hobby? But it’s actually way more than that. It’s like a living, breathing thing—a whole lifestyle that’s always shifting and changing depending on what we need. Surbhi Gupta, humanitarian and the author of “Iron Draped in Silk,” a collection of poetry and prose that explores the profound connection between women and nature, and the inherent strength found within.
The thing is, we often miss seeing all its different sides. Did you know self-care is usually divided into seven main parts?
- Emotional self-care- The conscious effort to connect with our emotions and process them with self-compassion. Journaling, practising gratitude, Meditation and reading are some of the activities to try.
- Physical self-care – Most people identify self-care with physical activities. Being active and exercising has an impact in your mood and overall longevity. For non-gym folks, grooving to your favourite song can benefit more than just your mood.
- Mental self-care – It is not about achieving Nirvana but a healthy relationship with your own mind. Keeping your mind stimulated with puzzles, and reading and writing poetry, thoughts and quotes prove to be good exercise for the mind.
- Social self-care – Nurturing your relationship is a form of caring for oneself. Filling other’s cup also uplifts your own. Scheduling calls with parents, cuddling with your furry friend and spending time with your partner are all imperative.
- Spiritual self-care – Connecting with your soul through manifestation, meditation or working for a cause that youbelieve in helps you find yourself. For some, it can also mean taking time out to honour your belief in a higher power.
- Practical self-care – Taking action to make your daily life less messy is completely within your reach. Tidying up your living space, organizing your emails and meal prepping which has gained some attention recently are small steps to start.
- Professional self-care The requirement for professional self-care has risen in the recent years. Setting reminders for lunch breaks, taking a mental health day when you need it, and spending time with colleagues in fosteringmeaningful relationships are crucial for creating a balanced professional life.
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If we only focus on one or two of these, our self-care efforts can feel a bit counterproductive. It will feel like putting in the time but not really feeling the benefit.
Surbhi says, “Self-care is about doing things that make your mind feel alive, being gentle with your emotions, moving your body in ways that feel good, making your home a nice place to be, connecting with something bigger than yourself, doing things just for the fun of it, and hanging out with people who lift you up.” When you pay attention to all these different parts of yourself, that’s when self-care really starts to work its magic. It becomes less of a chore and more of a natural way of living well.
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