How to Practice Self-Care

Written by Katharine Anderson, Psychological Practitioner in our Clinical Services team.

Self-care is for everyone, and everyone deserves opportunities to work on their emotional and physical health. Self-care isn’t selfish; it is a necessary and crucial practice to embed into day-to-day living, creating a more balanced and meaningful life.

We know that the mind and body work far better when they are working in harmony; a calm mind supports a healthy body, and a strong body supports a healthy mind. So how do we manage and achieve this?

Self-care looks different for everyone. What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay. The key is finding what supports your well-being.

Here are some ideas on how to practice self-care

1. Emotional self-care
   In essence, emotional self-care is about finding compassionate ways to process our emotions rather than suppressing them. How we work with our emotions may be a solo practice, such as through journaling or reflecting. However, for some people, emotional self-care may involve reaching out to others, such as a good friend, family member, or therapist, to help them make sense of their feelings.
2. Physical self-care
   Eating well (enough!), hydrating, getting enough sleep, and staying active are all forms of physical self-care. Often, when things in our lives feel unsteady, these are the first things we start to neglect. It’s important to notice when you feel off-kilter and check in with your physical well-being and self-care; even small tweaks or actions can make a significant difference.
3. Social self-care
   The power of human connection is often underestimated. Spending time with loved ones, whether that be friends, family, or colleagues, can be deeply nourishing and healing. Spending time with people who lift your spirits is an act of self-care.
4. Cognitive self-care
   There are simple ways in which you can practice cognitive self-care. For example, reading a book or learning a new skill are accessible ways to stroke your cognitive needs. Additionally, setting healthy boundaries in your social, personal, and work life can help to protect your mental space and reduce your experiences of stress.
5. Spiritual self-care
   Spirituality looks different for everyone. For some people, spirituality is about meditation, connecting to something greater than oneself, or searching for meaning in life, whether that be through prayer or time in nature. However, for some, spiritual care is as simple as practicing gratitude every day for the little things that matter.

If you’re wondering where to start with your self-care, remember this: self-care isn’t about doing everything at once. It is about making steady, intentional choices to support your wellbeing.

So, start small and stay consistent. Set boundaries, without guilt, to protect your time, energy, and peace. Show up fully for yourself and remember, it is not selfish to put yourself first.

Where necessary, disconnect to reconnect. Reduce your distractions and stimuli to allow yourself to focus on you and where you want and need to be. Use this time to reflect on what you need, in terms of both your mind and your body, and try to make some incremental changes to support your self-care.