Self Care Made Simple
Self care made simple…I created a simple and easy self care acronym to help in thinking about all the different aspects to self care.
RESPPP – Self Care Acronym
R – Relationship Self Care
E – Emotional Self Care
S – Spiritual Self Care
P – Psychological Self Care
P – Physical Self Care
P – Professional Self Care
Relationship Self Care
Relationship self care is focused around your relationships. Your intimate relationship – whether you are married, coupled, dating…there are many aspects to the caring of yourself and the one you love.
This also includes relationships you have with family members. With friends. Co-workers…
Do you have relationships that are nourishing, supportive and caring? Or, have some of your relationships met their season in your life and it’s time to let go in love? Are there boundaries that are needed? Or, are there boundaries that might need to be revised?
These are some important questions as it relates to your relationship health.
Emotional Self Care
Emotional self care is centered around your emotional health. Your feelings and emotional life within you.
Many times our emotions are tied to thoughts we have that impact our state. And when we are in a reactive state – meaning we are reacting to stressors, to triggers, to others – rather than taking time to pause, reflect, decide how we want to respond – we are often being led by emotions that have certain thoughts attached that then lead us to react in certain behavioral ways.
When we take time to become curious about our emotional world, we can learn a lot about ourself. Emotions can be one of our greatest teachers.
Spiritual Self Care
Nurturing and taking time to build your spiritual practice is another important aspect to our overall health and wellness. Knowing where you are on your spiritual journey can provide insight into how you can turn toward this part of your life and see what is needed.
Is it balanced? Do you need support? Community? Prayer? Meditation? Beginning to quiet the outside world to begin looking within to see what your spiritual health needs are is an integral part of your spiritual self care.
Psychological Self Care
Taking care of what you nourish your mind with…what books you are reading. What messages are presented through podcasts, friends, family, news shows, movies, etc.
This also includes looking at what hobbies interest you. Are there things you want to learn how to do? Musical instruments you want to learn how to play? The list is endless on the different ways you can begin to become curious as to what your psychological health yearns for…
Physical Self Care
This is what people typically talk to me about when they talk about self care. Physical self care.
This includes exercising, what you consume nutritionally…but it also includes going to the doctor when needed, scheduling well checks, dental visits, etc.
Professional Self Care
Staying current in your profession is a key component to self care. But also knowing what boundaries you need around your professional needs.
What do you need to say no so that you can better care for yourself – and say yes to the things that are better suited for you.
What do you need to say yes to so that you can nourish and care for yourself.
Are there professional communities you can get involved with. Or, are you too involved with so many professional groups that maybe slowing down might be a part of your professional self care needs.
Taking One Step At A Time
Self care is personal and unique to each of us. And what I think is so special about these 6 aspects to our self care is that helps us organize our thoughts around our self care. And it can help us see how it’s all interconnected! One of these is tied to all of these…
Lastly, this is not about perfectionism. This is about knowing what you need in this moment. Which might be different tomorrow and the next day. It’s about starting a practice of self reflection and turning inward to see you need. Not what everyone else needs – but what you need!
Putting your oxygen mask on first – so to speak – so you can then be the you – you want to be – with all of the precious people in your life!
Self Care Support and Coaching
If you need help and support, please reach out. I offer a limited number of one-on-one coaching directly with me and I’d love to hear from you. If you are wanting support, don’t wait any longer. Reach out today…