Self care has been a very hot topic in recent years, and for good reason. Most people could benefit from a little more focus on taking care of themselves to reduce stress and improve physical, emotional, and mental health. But the self care we see in the media\u2014candle lit bubble baths or trips to the spa\u2014may make self-care feel unapproachable or unachievable for you. And while a relaxing day at the spa is wonderful (we wouldn\u2019t turn it down!), that\u2019s not usually the type of self care that moves the needle in your health and how you feel on a daily basis. And it\u2019s certainly not going to make a difference if you don\u2019t have the basics covered.<\/p>\n
There are actually three types of self-care you can build into your life: foundational self-care, supportive self-care, and nice-to-have self care. Below, we\u2019ll break down each of these types and how you can implement them in your routine.<\/p>\n
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Foundational self-care<\/em><\/p>\n This is the most basic form of taking care of yourself, and the most essential. Without this, no other types of self-care will make a real difference in your physical or mental health. This includes:<\/p>\n Other things that fall into this category include showering or bathing regularly, going to doctors and dentist appointments, and other things for personal hygiene and health.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Supportive self-care<\/em><\/p>\n These are the things that fill your cup, and where most of the self-care magic happens (assuming you have the basics covered). Supportive self-care can take many forms, so you\u2019ll want to choose the ones that work for you. Below are some ideas to get you starts:<\/p>\n Nice-to-have self-care<\/em><\/p>\n Love to get a manicure, massage, or facial? Enjoy a candle-lit bubble bath with quiet music and a book? Other ideas might include a weekend away without the kids or a special night out. These things are all wonderful and can be part of a regular self-care routine if they fit into your life. They are nice to add on top of a regular self-care routine, but they also probably don\u2019t happen daily. But they aren\u2019t necessary in order to reap the benefits of self-care.<\/p>\n Ultimately the most effective self-care fits into your life. There may also be seasons of life where you\u2019re able to participate in more self-care than others. Start with the basics and build from there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sarah Gold Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN is a registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, and the owner of <\/em>Sarah Gold Nutrition<\/em><\/a>, a virtual private practice and nutrition communications consulting business in the suburbs of Boston. She empowers busy women to ditch diets and learn to eat to feel their best without the stress.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Self care has been a very hot topic in recent years, and for good reason. Most people could benefit from a little more focus on taking care of themselves to reduce stress and improve physical, emotional, and mental health. But the self care we see in the media\u2014candle lit bubble baths or trips to the …<\/p>\n\n
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