When we think about self care we generally focus on taking care of our physical side, getting plenty of rest, eating healthy food, a balanced diet and daily exercise. These are all very good practices of self care and I encourage to continue to practice them.
What about our emotional side? What is emotional self care? How do you practice it?
Emotional self-care is the practice of taking care of your emotional health and wellbeing. Practicing emotional self care can help you live a more fullfilling life. It can help you manage your stress, improve your relationships and improve your overall health and wellness.
Emotional self-care can involve a range of activities, such as engaging in positive self-talk, setting boundaries, talking to a therapist, spending time with yourself, journaling, practicing affirmations, asking a friend for a shoulder to cry on, and connecting with your spiritual side and practicing self love
Awareness: What are your emotional needs and what activities can you do to help meet those needs? Sit down and do an inventory, what makes you happy, what do you really enjoy doing, what have you always wanted to learn? What don't you like or what makes you feel drained and dissatisfied or stressed out.
Here are 8 strategies that will help you meet your emotional needs:
Positive Self Talk: Positive self talk is a must when you practice emotional self care. This means you need to be your best cheerleader. Encourage yourself, be compassionate and empathetic. Speak to yourself like you would your best friend. Believe in you. Positive self-talk lets you know you are capable and able to handle difficult circumstances. It can help boost your self-esteem and confidence helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Talk To A Therapist: If you need helpalong the way please ask for it. Sometimes it takes talking things out with a trained professional who there to listen and can provide insight into what think may be causing the issue or encourage you to find your own answers. A therapist can help you to better understand your emotions, and offer ways for you to manage them.
Self Reflection: Spend some time with yourself, get to know you, get comfortable being alone and learn to enjoy your own company. Do what makes you happy.
Healthy Boundaries: Let the people in your life know what makes you uncomfortable. Set a boundary by letting them know what and what not you will tolerate. Boundaries can help to protect your emotional wellbeing, and can reduce feelings of guilt and resentment.
Journaling and Affirmations: Start a journal and schedule time to write in it. Journaling helps you get to know about you. It helps you to identify your goals and desires. Write your positive affirmations bringing your focus to the wonderful person you are.
Self Love: Pamper yourself, go to a spa or treat yourself to at home. Soak in the tub. Turn off the tv and the internet, enjoy the silence. Go outside, take a walk in nature, smell the wonderful outside smells, get grounded with the earth. Read a book or go to a movie. Do what you enjoy doing.
Connect With Friends: Let your friends be there for you. If you want someone to go out with or if you need to talk or even if you just need a shoulder to cry on call a friend. It's ok to be vulnerable.
Spirituality: Practice meditation, prayer and connecting with your spiritual side. Read spiritual books and blogs. They can all help to give you a sense of peace and connection to something greater then you.
Emotional self-care is an important part of your overall health and wellness. Get to know you and understand what your emotional needs are and how to go about getting your needs met. Start by implementing the above strategies, see what works for you, gather your own emotional self-care tool kit.
Practice Emotional Self Care
You are Worth It!
Wendy's words for you......It has been my pleasure writing this blog for you, I hope I have created awareness on the importance of looking after your emotional as well as physically sides. I believe "Be Your Best Cheerleader" are very good words to live by.
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In Gratitude
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