What is holistic self care? Taking care of ourselves is really important. A holistic self-care routine helps us stay healthy in our body, mind, and spirit.

This guide will show you how to make a self-care routine that works for you.

Podcast – How to Create a Holistic Lifestyle

Key Takeaways:

• Holistic self-care looks after all parts of your wellbeing: physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, environmental, financial, and work-related.
• Start by looking at how you’re doing now and set goals you can reach for each area of wellness.
• Include things like regular exercise, mindfulness, and spending time with friends and family in your routine.
• Be flexible and change your routine when you need to, and be kind to yourself along the way.
• Making small, doable changes and sticking to them is the key to keeping up your self-care practice.

Understanding Holistic Self-Care

Holistic self-care looks at the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – to help you be as healthy as possible.

It knows that all parts of who we are are connected, and if we ignore one part, it can affect the others.

By taking care of each part of our wellbeing, we can live a more balanced and happy life.

The Parts of Wellness

To make a really good holistic self-care routine, it’s important to understand and take care of these different parts of wellness:

1. Physical Wellness

This means taking care of your body by eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and going to the doctor for check-ups. It’s the base for all other types of wellness.

2. Emotional Wellness

This is about understanding and managing your feelings. It involves learning about emotions, being kind to yourself, and becoming stronger emotionally.

3. Mental Wellness

This includes how your brain works, your mental health, and personal growth. It means doing things that make your brain work, managing stress, and trying to think positively.

4. Social Wellness

This is about your relationships and how you connect with others. It means building good friendships, talking well with others, and helping in your community.

5. Spiritual Wellness

This is about finding meaning in life. It doesn’t have to be about religion, but can include practices that connect you to something bigger than yourself.

6. Environmental Wellness

This looks at how you relate to your surroundings, both close to you and in the wider world. It means making your living space healthy and thinking about how you affect the environment.

7. Financial Wellness

This is about how you deal with money and manage your finances. It includes budgeting, saving, and making smart decisions about money.

8. Occupational Wellness

This is about finding satisfaction and balance in your work life. It includes working towards career goals, learning new skills, and keeping a good balance between work and personal life.

Making Your Holistic Self-Care Routine

Now that we understand the different parts of wellness, let’s look at how to make your own self-care routine:

1. Look at How You’re Doing Now

Start by thinking about how you’re doing in each part of wellness. Figure out where you’re strong and where you need to improve. This will help you know what to focus on in your self-care.

2. Set Goals You Can Reach

Based on what you found out about yourself, set goals for each part of wellness that you think you can achieve. Remember, holistic self-care is a journey, not a race. Start with small goals and build on them over time.

3. Include Physical Self-Care

Physical self-care is the foundation of your holistic routine. Try to include:

• Regular exercise: Find activities you enjoy, like yoga, walking, or dancing.
• Healthy eating: Focus on whole foods and drink plenty of water.
• Enough sleep: Try to get 7-9 hours of good sleep each night.
• Regular health check-ups: Schedule appointments with your doctor for check-ups.

4. Take Care of Your Emotions and Mind

Emotional and mental self-care are really important for overall wellbeing. Try these:

• Mindfulness meditation: Practice being aware of the present moment.
• Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings.
• Therapy or counseling: Talk to a professional when you need help.
• Stress management: Learn ways to relax, like deep breathing or relaxing your muscles.

5. Build Social Connections

Social wellness is important for a holistic self-care routine. Try these:

• Regular communication: Keep in touch with friends and family.
• Join groups or clubs: Do activities that you’re interested in with other people.
• Volunteer: Help out in your community and meet new people.
• Practice active listening: Get better at communicating and make your relationships stronger.

6. Try Spiritual Practices

Spiritual self-care can help you feel a sense of purpose and connection. Try these:

• Meditation or prayer: Connect with your inner self or something bigger than you.
• Nature walks: Spend time outside to feel connected to the world around you.
• Gratitude practice: Regularly think about things you’re thankful for in your life.
• Explore your values: Think about what’s really important to you and try to live by those values.

7. Create a Supportive Environment

Environmental self-care means making a space that helps you feel good. Try these:

• Tidy up your living space: Make your home organized and calm.
• Bring nature inside: Add plants or natural things to your home.
• Reduce exposure to harmful things: Use natural cleaning products and air purifiers.
• Practice being eco-friendly: Adopt habits that are good for the environment to help the world.

8. Manage Your Finances

Money stress can really affect your overall wellbeing. Try these:

• Create a budget: Keep track of what money comes in and what goes out.
• Set financial goals: Plan for both short-term and long-term money goals.
• Learn about money: Find out about personal finance and ways to invest.
• Ask for help: Talk to a financial advisor when you need advice.

9. Focus on Work Wellness

Finding satisfaction in your work life is important for holistic wellbeing. Try these:

• Set career goals: Think about what you want to achieve in your job and make a plan to get there.
• Learn new skills: Keep learning and developing in your job.
• Balance work and life: Set boundaries between work and personal time.
• Find meaningful work: Try to do work that matches your values and passions.

10. Practice Mindfulness Every Day

Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help all parts of your holistic self-care routine. Try these:

• Mindful eating: Pay attention to your food and eat without distractions.
• Body scan: Regularly check in with how your body feels and release tension.
• Mindful movement: Try yoga or tai chi to connect your mind and body.
• Mindful breathing: Use breathing exercises to help you feel centered throughout the day.

11. Be Kind to Yourself

Self-compassion is really important in holistic self-care. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would show a good friend. Remember that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for your wellbeing and ability to care for others.

12. Be Flexible

Your holistic self-care routine should be able to change. Life changes, and your needs might be different from day to day. Be willing to adjust your routine as needed and listen to what your body and mind are telling you.

13. Try Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises can really help both your body and mind. They can reduce stress, help you focus, and make you feel relaxed. Try these:

• Deep belly breathing: Put one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Breathe deeply, letting your belly expand when you breathe in and go back when you breathe out.
• 4-7-8 breathing: Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 7, and breathe out for 8. This can help calm anxiety and help you sleep.
• Alternate nostril breathing: This is a yoga breathing technique that can help balance your nervous system and improve concentration.

14. Try Different Types of Movement

Regular exercise is important for physical wellness, but trying different types of movement can help many parts of your wellbeing. Try:

• Yoga: Combines physical poses with breathing and meditation.
• Tai Chi: A gentle, flowing practice that helps with balance and relaxation.
• Dance: Moving in expressive ways can boost your mood and creativity.
• Nature walks: Combine physical activity with the benefits of being outside.

15. Do Creative Activities

Doing creative things can be a powerful form of self-care that helps your mental and emotional wellness. Try:

• Art therapy: Express yourself through drawing, painting, or sculpting.
• Music: Listen to or create music that you like.
• Writing: Keep a journal, write poetry, or try writing stories.
• DIY projects: Do crafts or home improvement projects.

16. Take Breaks from Technology

In our very connected world, taking regular breaks from technology is important for holistic wellbeing. Try:

• Setting screen time limits: Use apps or phone features to keep track of and limit your screen time.
• Creating tech-free zones: Make certain areas of your home or specific times of day technology-free.
• Doing offline activities: Read physical books, play board games, or have face-to-face conversations.

17. Try Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can help both your physical and emotional wellbeing. Try:

• Using essential oils: Lavender for relaxation, peppermint for focus, or citrus for boosting your mood.
• Adding scented candles or diffusers to your living space.
• Using aromatherapy during meditation or yoga practice.

18. Practice Gratitude

Being grateful can really impact your overall wellbeing. Try:

• Keeping a gratitude journal: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
• Expressing appreciation to others: Regularly thank people in your life.
• Gratitude meditation: Focus on feelings of thankfulness during meditation.

19. Focus on Good Sleep Habits

Quality sleep is crucial for all aspects of wellness. Improve your sleep habits by:

• Setting a consistent sleep schedule.
• Creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
• Making your sleep environment good (cool, dark, and quiet).
• Limiting caffeine and screen time before bed.

20. Ask for Help When You Need It

Remember that asking for professional help is a form of self-care. Consider:

• Regular check-ups with your doctor.
• Therapy or counseling for mental and emotional support.
• Talking to specialists (like nutritionists, personal trainers, financial advisors) when needed.

Keeping Up Your Holistic Self-Care Routine

Making a holistic self-care routine is just the start. Keeping it up takes commitment and consistency. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

1. Start Small

Begin with small, manageable changes and slowly build on them. This approach is easier to keep up and less overwhelming.

2. Be Consistent

Try to do some form of self-care every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Consistency is key to forming lasting habits.

3. Track Your Progress

Keep a journal or use an app to track your self-care activities and how they make you feel. This can help you figure out what works best for you.

4. Be Flexible

Remember that your needs might change over time. Be willing to adjust your routine as necessary.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

Notice and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement can help motivate you to continue.

6. Connect with Others

Share your self-care journey with friends or join a support group. Having support can help you stay accountable and motivated.

7. Be Kind to Yourself

Be kind to yourself if you miss a day or struggle to keep up your routine. Self-care is a journey, not a destination.

Conclusion

Creating a holistic self-care routine is a powerful way to take care of your body, mind, and spirit.

By looking after all parts of wellness, you can achieve better balance, strength, and overall wellbeing. Remember that self-care isn’t a luxury, but a necessity for living a fulfilling and healthy life.

As you start your holistic self-care journey, be patient with yourself and celebrate each step forward.

Your routine will change as you discover what works best for you.

The key is to stay committed to your wellbeing and to approach self-care with curiosity, kindness, and consistency.

By investing in your holistic wellbeing, you’re not only improving your own life but also positively affecting those around you. When you take good care of yourself, you’re better able to care for others and contribute positively to the world. So, take that first step today and start creating your own holistic self-care routine. Your future self will thank you for it.