20 ways to practice emotional self care.

As a social worker who is passionate about mental health, I believe that self-care is an essential part of personal growth, self-discovery, and self-love. 

I often come across individuals who are struggling with overwhelming emotions and negative self-talk. That's why I'm here today to talk about emotional self-care and why it is crucial for self-growth, self-discovery, and self-love.

Emotional self-care is particularly crucial, as it helps us maintain a positive outlook and cope with life's ups and downs.  Emotional self-care is all about taking care of your emotional well-being. It means acknowledging your emotions, accepting them, and finding healthy ways to cope with them. It's about learning to be kind and gentle with yourself, even during difficult times.

So How Can You Practice Emotional Self-Care:

Well, there are many ways! You could try journaling to express your thoughts and feelings, taking a relaxing bath, meditating or practicing mindfulness, doing something creative like painting or drawing, or simply taking a walk in nature. Whatever it is that helps you feel calm and centered, make it a priority to incorporate it into your daily routine.

Emotional self-care is not selfish or indulgent. It's a necessary part of taking care of yourself and your mental health. By practicing emotional self-care, you'll be better equipped to handle life's challenges and feel more fulfilled in your daily life. So go ahead and give yourself permission to prioritise your emotional well-being. You deserve it!

If I had to pick two of my favourite self care activities it would be journaling my thoughts and feelings which allows me to declutter my mind and taking a nice walk, nature soothes my soul. Ok, I can’t pick two I need to add a third. My all time favourite self care activity is taking a lovely bubble bath, I could easily have a bath each day and soak all of the days stressors away. 

The Importance For Emotional Self Care:

I can't stress enough the importance of emotional self care. Taking care of your emotional health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Emotional self care involves taking the time to nurture your mind, body and soul, and prioritising your mental well-being.

One of the biggest reasons to practice emotional self care is to reduce stress and anxiety. We all have responsibilities and challenges in our lives that can cause us to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. By practicing emotional self care, we can develop healthy coping mechanisms that help us manage stress and anxiety.

Another important reason to practice emotional self care is to improve our relationships with ourselves and others. When we prioritise our emotional well-being, we become more in tune with our emotions and needs, which allows us to communicate more effectively with others. This can lead to deeper and more meaningful relationships with the people around us.

Why Should We Practice Emotional Self Care:

Practicing emotional self care can help increase our overall happiness and well-being. When we take the time to nurture our minds, bodies and souls, we are more likely to feel fulfilled and content in our lives. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose and a more positive outlook on life.

So, if you're looking to improve your mental health and well-being, I highly recommend practicing emotional self care. Whether it's through meditation, self-reflection, or simply taking the time to do something you enjoy, make sure to prioritise your emotional health. 

Remember, you deserve to feel happy and fulfilled, and taking care of your emotional well-being is a crucial part of achieving that.

Here Are 30 Ways You Can Practice Emotional Self-Care:

1. Take a walk in nature: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being. So why not take a break from your busy schedule and go for a walk in the park or a nature reserve? It’s a great way to clear your mind and recharge.
2. Write in a journal: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be a great way to process emotions. It can help you gain clarity and perspective on a situation, and also serves as a record of your personal growth.
3. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment without judgment. It can help you reduce stress, anxiety, and negative thinking. Try taking a few deep breaths and focus on your breath, or try a guided meditation.
4. Take a warm bath: Taking a warm bath can help you relax and unwind after a long day. You can add some essential oils or Epsom salts to help soothe your muscles and calm your mind.
5. Listen to calming music: Listening to calming music can help reduce stress and anxiety. Create a playlist of your favourite relaxing songs and listen to it when you need to unwind.
6. Talk to a trusted friend: Talking to a trusted friend can be a great way to process emotions and gain support. Make sure to choose someone who will listen without judgment and offer helpful advice.
7. Practice deep breathing exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and anxiety. Try taking a few deep breaths, holding the breath for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly.
8. Take a break from social media: Social media can be a source of stress and anxiety. Try taking a break from social media for a day or two to give yourself a break from the constant notifications.
9. Read a book: Reading a book can be a great way to escape from reality and relax. Choose a book that you find interesting and spend some time getting lost in the story.
10. Practice yoga or meditation: Yoga and meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being. Try taking a yoga class or practicing meditation at home.
11. Take a nap: Taking a nap can help you recharge and reduce stress. Make sure to set your alarm so you don't oversleep.
12. Create art or do a craft project: Creating art or doing a craft project can be a great way to express yourself and reduce stress. Try painting, drawing, knitting, or any other creative activity that you enjoy.
13. Attend a therapy or support group session: Therapy and support groups can be a great way to gain support and learn new coping skills. 
14. Learn a new skill: Learning a new skill can help boost your confidence and self-esteem. Try taking a class in something that interests you, like cooking, photography, or a new language.
15. Watch a funny movie or TV show: Laughter is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood. Choose a funny movie or TV show and spend some time laughing.
16. Practice positive self-talk: Positive self-talk can help boost your self-esteem and reduce negative thinking. Try replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, like "I am capable" or "I am worthy."
17. Write a gratitude list: Writing down things you're grateful for can help you focus on the positive and reduce stress. Try writing a list of things you're grateful for each day.
18. Practice forgiveness: Forgiveness can help reduce stress and improve mental health. Try forgiving someone who has wronged you, or forgiving yourself for past mistakes.
19. Declutter your living space: Decluttering your living space can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Try getting rid of things you don't need and organising your space.
20. Practice self-compassion: Self-compassion means being kind and understanding towards yourself. Try treating yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer to a friend.

Bonus Emotional Self-Care Activities:

1. Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for good mental health. Make sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
2. Volunteer for a cause you care about: Volunteering can be a great way to reduce stress and improve mental health. Try volunteering for a cause that you're passionate about.
3. Cook a healthy meal: Cooking a healthy meal can be a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall health. Try finding a new healthy recipe and spending some time in the kitchen.
4. Take a break from work: Taking a break from work can help you recharge and reduce stress. Try taking a day off or taking a vacation.
5. Take a digital detox: Taking a break from technology can be a great way to reduce stress and improve mental health. Try turning off your phone and computer for a few hours and see how you feel.
6. Spend time with a pet: Spending time with a pet can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. Pets have been shown to have a calming effect on their owners.
7. Take a day trip to a new place: Taking a day trip to a new place can be a great way to reduce stress and explore new surroundings. Try visiting a nearby town or city that you've never been to before.
8. Go for a run or do some other form of exercise: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Try going for a run, taking a yoga class, or doing some other form of exercise that you enjoy.
9. Treat yourself to something you enjoy: Treating yourself to something you enjoy can be a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood. Try buying yourself a small gift or treating yourself to a spa day. 

Remember, emotional self-care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It's important to find what works for you and make it a part of your daily routine. By taking care of yourself emotionally, you'll become more resilient, better able to handle stress, and overall, more content with your life.