Five Different Types of Self Care and How to Practice Them

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Did you know there are different types of self-care and that they’ll help you in different ways?

Once I discovered the different types of self-care, I discovered I had been “treating” myself in the wrong ways.

types of self care and how to practice them

The Truth About Self-Care

So, I know a lot of people roll their eyes at “self-care” topics. I think the bubble baths and bath bombs have given self-care a dirty name. But once I figured out there were different types of self-care, it opened my eyes to why it’s gotten this annoying reputation.

Taking care of yourself isn’t a “one size fits all” kind of thing. Sure, a good long shower or bath with some sort of essential oil substance might be good occasionally, it just depends on which cup you’re trying to fill.

Yes. It’s true. We all have more than one cup! We need to be met emotionally, physically, mentally, socially, and more in order to fill our overall cup.

So the truth is, self-care shows itself in many forms. And everyone needs to be actively working on filling their cups through a variety of acts. Bubble baths not necessary.

Did you know there are more than five types of self-care? Let's dive into how to take care of your mental health through types of self-care.

What is REAL Self-Care?

Real self-care comes in so many forms. Like I said above, and dive into below, they cover you emotionally, physically, mentally, socially, and more.

Types of Self-Care

Let’s get into exactly WHAT each type of self-care is, how it will help, and some examples of each.

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Emotional Self-Care

In simple terms, emotional self-care is the act of recognizing and acknowledging your emotions and taking care of them. A super common example of not taking care of your emotional needs, that I fall into often, is becoming super aggravated and just burnt-out.

Working towards becoming emotionally aware is a great first step to being able to take care of yourself emotionally.

How to Practice Emotional Self-Care

Experience your emotions. Don’t push them aside or cover them up. If you need to scream, scream. Cry? Cry.
Say “no” & stick to your boundaries
Protect yourself & stop giving your energy to others when it needs to be focused on you
Talking with a therapist
Journaling
Give yourself the Grace to try again later

Physical Self-Care

Physical self-care is probably exactly what you’re imagining. Taking care of your physical health. This doesn’t mean dieting and excessive exercise, physical self-care is about much more than that. You don’t have to get caught up in a new diet & exercise routine to take care of yourself.

How to Practice Physical Self-Care

Keeping yourself hydrated
Eating your favorite fruits & veggies
Playing in the backyard with your kiddos
Resting when you need it
Taking yourself to the doctor when you’re not well

Mental Self-Care

Taking care of your mental health through mental self-care involves decluttering your mind & limiting stressors. In my eyes, all types of self-care are important, but mental self-care is #1. Without taking care of yourself mentally, you can’t take care of yourself physically, emotionally, or socially.

How to Practice Mental Self-Care

Unplugging from social media
Reading a new book
Decluttering parts of your home
The over popular bubble bath
Basically, small acts of self-love that make your soul happy

Social Self-Care

Social self-care takes care of the relationships in your life, from friendships to family to intimate relationships.

How to Practice Social Self-Care

Facetiming a friend
Hosting dinner for your family
Making a brunch date with your best friend
Regular dates with your SO

Practical Self-Care

The last form of self-care I have to share with you is practical care. These are acts that keep you afloat.

How to Practice Social Self-Care

Making a budget & paying bills on time
Meal planning & grocery shopping
Reading & learning
Working on personal development

As you can see by now, there is SO much more that goes into self-care beyond a sudsy bubble bath. Make sure to save this post for later and keep it close by for when you need it most!

Here are a few other great resources for learning more about types of self care and ways to practice them!

If you are at the point of wanting to discuss your situation with a therapist, I highly recommend BetterHelp.com. You can read more about them here.

Types of Self-Care and How to Practice Them

The Truth About Self-Care