“Anyone who is interested in making change in the world also has
to learn how to take care of herself, himself, theirselves.”
-Angela Davis
Reframing What Constitutes Self-Care
Far too often, when we conceive of self-care, we conjure images of consumerism, isolation, and tangible actions that alleviate us from the strains of our everyday lives. We conceptualize self-care as something we must purchase or physically do to replenish ourselves after days of monotonous exposure to mundane responsibilities, incessant demands, and unanticipated upheavals ranging from personal, political, and beyond. Amidst the noise and preoccupation of daily living, it’s often difficult to conceptualize self-care as anything other than an additional to-do to add to an ever-evolving list of necessary tasks rather than the restful practice it should be.
But what if we allowed ourselves to frame self-care as rest, as deliberate inaction, rather than a general by-the-book approach of consumer-based practices? What if we allowed ourselves to conceptualize self-care as the undoing, or momentary departure from, stressful additions to our lives that impose upon our inner stability and capacity to feel at peace?
Putting The Self Back Into Self-Care
For so many of us, the stressors of everyday living settle within us after repeated exposure, sometimes existing just beyond our conscious awareness. We can feel stretched thin, irritated, constantly on edge, or inexplicably unlike ourselves in a manner that signals the need for replenishment or support. It can be unclear what we need; only that there is something that we must do for ourselves to restore the internal balance knocked askew by our unique circumstances. When we consider the self as the core, as the metaphoric ‘seat’ of unaddressed tension, it makes more sense to utilize ourselves as a reference for developing an individualized self-care plan. We need not seek outside ourselves with consumer-based practices or tangible one-size-fits-all actions. We can begin by reflecting on our individual needs in the present moment to inform our care practices. We might ask ourselves: which parts of myself feel depleted within the context of my day-to-day experiences? Which avenues of my life merit my intentional nourishment?
Identifying Key Components Of The Self
According to modern research, these questions necessitate an insightful exploration of the six key facets of the self, conceptualized as domains that require individually tailored self-care practices: physical, psychological, emotional, relational, spiritual, and professional.
- The physical domain encompasses foundational self-care practices that contribute to physical well-being, such as adequate sleep, nutrition, movement (e.g., exercise), and formal preventative healthcare measures such as annual medical check-ups.
- The psychological domain entails caring for the mind and experience of one’s self through a range of practices that offer intellectual nourishment, opportunities to develop self-awareness and mindful self-reflection practices.
- The emotional domain pertains to practices that effectively address negative emotional experiences and enhance emotional well-being and positive emotional experiences.
- The relational domain covers the maintenance and enhancement of our interpersonal relationships. This domain includes connections to loved ones who comprise our daily interactions and whom we can lean on for support during personal hardships.
- The spiritual domain may or may not encompass religious beliefs but entails our role within the broader context of the world. Practices that nourish this aspect of self-care may include meditation, cultivating a connection to nature, or various forms of prayer.
- The professional domain refers to our professional selves and general well-being in the workplace. Practices that nourish this aspect of the self lessen the impact of burnout and enhance overall work performance and satisfaction.
Application
After evaluating our unique circumstances and areas of depletion, we begin the healing process of drawing upon our cultural and personal values to inform implementation. For working mothers, considering the needs and well-being of their children, their work, and the myriad additional responsibilities in their daily lives often take precedence over their individual well-being. Moving forward, we hope that the delineation of these core aspects initiates self-compassionate and revelatory insights that inform self-focused practices that facilitate replenishment. Our ability to care deeply and comprehensively for others must begin with nuanced and comprehensive care for ourselves; it’s time to view self-care as a necessary precursor to your ability to care for others and a necessary reward for all that you do.
Additional Resources:
- Allayya: Mental wellness app designed for women
- How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself (A Guide to Self-Care, Healing,
- Purpose, and Intention), Dr. Corey Yeager
- What’s Your Productivity Costing You—and How Can You Take It Back? 5 Lessons to Reclaim
- Your Time, Energy, and Joy, Israa Nasir