We have all heard about “self-care” and the first images that pop into most people’s heads are going to the spa, buying a last-minute plane ticket to a fun destination, or going on a shopping spree. While these activities can be fun and restoring for some, there are other ways to provide self-care that can help with anxiety and not break the bank at the same time. Studies have shown that self-care has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety, reduce stress, increase happiness, and more.
Self-care helps with anxiety because it can help you adapt to changes in life, allows you time to take care of yourself, foster healthier and stronger relationships, and become more resilient.
This demonstrates how imperative it is to figure out ways you can help yourself day to day and if needed, find therapeutic services as well. As stated earlier, self-care doesn’t have to break the bank. Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well, that bring you joy and improve your physical and mental health.
Self-Care can be broken down into 6 categories:
Emotional Self-Care
This type of self-care involves activities that help you connect, process, and reflect on a full range of emotions in a healthy way. A few ways you could do this at home are by writing in a journal, creating art, or playing music. Another type of emotional self-care can be seeking therapeutic support by making an appointment with your local therapist.
Practical Self-Care
This type of self-care is practical in the sense that you are completing duties that will help prevent future stressful situations. This can be creating a budget, taking professional development classes, organizing your closet, or cleaning the dishes.
Physical Self-Care
This type of self-care is about taking care of your body to help maintain your physical well-being. This can include taking a walk during your lunch break, sleeping 8 hours a day, stretching before bed, or staying hydrated. You can also think about ways you enjoy moving your body such as returning to a sport you used to play or trying to learn something new like taking a kickboxing class or setting a goal to run a marathon.
Mental Self-Care
This type of self-care involves any activity that stimulates your mind or your intellect. Ways to do this are reading a book, solving a puzzle, playing a mentally stimulating game like chess, or going to a museum.
Social Self-Care
This type of self-care involves nurturing and strengthening relationships with people in your life. A few ideas are going out to brunch with friends, making time to call your loved ones regularly, sending a quick GIF over text, or setting up a time to go on a short walk with a friend.
Spiritual Self-Care
This type of self-care nurtures your spirit and allows you to think of the bigger picture of life. It does not have to be religious, but for some it is. Some examples include meditation, yoga, going to a place of worship, being in nature, or dedicating time for self-reflection.
Self-Care Looks Different For Everyone
It’s important for you to reflect on what type of self-care can you begin to add to your routine without it being overwhelming. It’s important to find what works for you and to start slowly. With our busy lives, we can’t always fit in all 6 types of self-care, but what we can do is try to incorporate self-care into our weekly routine little by little. Consistently incorporating self-care into our lives will allow us to develop a habit to take care of ourselves. With these positive shifts in behaviors, it will aid in relieving stress and overall aid in our mental well-being.
Begin Anxiety Therapy in Colorado Springs, CO
Practicing self-care is much easier said than done. Our team would be honored to help equip you with the tools to enable self-care in a healthy way, however that may look to you. We are happy to offer support from our Colorado Springs, CO-based practice and across Colorado. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
- Contact Solace Solutions
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Start learning new self-care practices!
Other Services We Offer in Colorado Springs
Anxiety therapy isn’t the only service offered at our Colorado Springs-based practice. Our understanding counselors also offer individual support via family therapy, depression, and trauma. These services are available for both adults and teenagers. Services are available both in person at our Colorado Springs-based counseling practice and virtually throughout Colorado via online therapy.
