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7 Pillars of Self-care and How to Use Them

Writer's picture: Mecayla Maseka Mecayla Maseka

In a time where isolation is the ‘new normal’, it is becoming increasing important to practice self-care. During the lockdowns a lot of us were forced to slow down, introspect, and spend time with ourselves and those closest to us. Self-care is a very complex topic and looks different for everyone. If you’re just starting your self-care journey, you might be overwhelmed and not know where to start. I present to you a simple solution; look at self-care in terms of the seven pillars. Seven pillars might sound like a lot, but I promise you’ve heard of every single one of them.


The seven pillars all work together and sometimes you might need to direct your attention to one or two of the pillars depending on the season you’re in. Take this quiz to find out which pillar you should focus on.




 

S E V E N P I L L A R S O F S E L F - C A R E


1. M e n t a l


Mental also known as intellectual self-care is about cultivating a healthy mindset through mindfulness.


Examples of mental self-care:

- Meditating

- Journaling

- Taking a break from technology or the internet.



 


2. Emotional

Emotional self-care involves taking care of you hear with healthy coping strategies and self- compassion.


Examples of emotional self-care:

- Listening to your fav music

- Writing down positive affirmations

- Asking for help

- Setting boundaries



 

3. Physical

Physical self-care involves taking care of your body through exercise, good hygiene, proper sleep, and nutrition.


Examples of physical self-care:

- Eating regular meals

- Drinking more water

- Getting 7-8 hours of sleep



 

4. Environmental

This pillar involves taking care of the space around you.


Examples of environmental self-care:

- Arranging your workspace

- Decluttering your space

- Going outside for a walk



 

5. Spiritual


Spiritual self-care involves taking care of your soul through activities or practices that provide you with a sense of purpose, direction and meaning.


Examples spiritual self-care:

- Spending time in nature

- Identifying your values and what’s meaningful to you

- Volunteering or contributing to a cause you believe in



 


6. Recreational

This pillar includes doing fun activities and experiencing new things.


Examples of recreational self-care:

- Taking time for hobbies and creative activities

- Going on an adventure

- Taking time to do nothing (my personal fav)

- Switching up your daily routine



 

7. Social

Self-care is about you and taking care of you but its also important to connect with other people on a regular basis. Social self-care is all about nurturing healthy relationships with people who get you.


Examples of social self-care:

- Spending time with people whose company you enjoy

- Writing a letter to a friend

- Calling or seeing relatives


 


That’s it! Now you know all the pillars of self-care and how to incorporate them into your daily life

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