There are many different types of self care! Being human we have many basic needs including but not limited to: food, water, sleep and connection with other humans. We’ve all heard that Sunday is the day of rest, and for the vast majority of us, that’s usually the case. However, there are other ways to look after ourselves other than simply resting.

For this week’s instalment of self care sundays, we wanted to highlight that our self care isn’t always limited to stuff like taking a bath and lighting a candle. Sometimes practicing self care can mean that we make some tough decisions in the short term which will help our mental health and our wellbeing.

Here at tappON we believe there are four main types of self care:

Physical – Perhaps the most important category of self care, physical care is all about doing what’s best for your body in the long term. While everyone’s situation is different, physical care usually involves the following:

• • Ensuring that you get an adequate amount of sleep 
  • Regular exercise, such as walking, running, strength training or sports
  • Eating healthy food

Emotional / Mental – Looking after mental wellbeing is very important, particularly when it comes to stressful situations. The following traits are the most important to address when seeking to improve your emotional wellbeing.

• • Stress management
  • Emotional maturity
  • Forgiveness
  • Compassion 
  • Kindness 

Social – As social creatures, our social lives can actually have a large impact on our emotional wellbeing. It’s important to make sure that you:

• • Set boundaries and stick to them
  • Have support systems in place for when things don’t go to plan (for example a friend or family member to confide in, etc)
  • Positive social media – try not to focus on the everyday doom and gloom you see while scrolling through Facebook. Stick to positive pages!
  • Communicate your feelings and emotions clearly
  • Take time to spend with your group of friends or family
  • Ask for help when in need

Spiritual – finally, we want you to focus on spiritual well-being. Don’t roll your eyes just yet! This simply means to try and connect to and be mindful of the world around you. This can be done in the following ways:

• • • Time alone
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
    • Connection 
    • Nature 
    • Journaling