This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to view the full disclosure.
WHAT IS EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE?
Emotional self-care, you may have heard this phrase, but what is it?
Well, self-care is described as an intentional practice that is done to care for your mind, body, and soul. Emotions, simply put, are strong or intense feelings we experience in response to the different circumstances we face.
Emotional self-care is to be aware of your emotions and to care for them in a way where you can move through them with peace and honor, all while being true to yourself in the process.
We want to control our emotions and not have them control us. As we all know, our emotions can send us on quite the rollercoaster ride if we aren’t careful.
Related Article – 31 Self-Care Sunday Ideas
WHY PRACTICE EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE?
13 WAYS TO PRACTICE EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
1. Check in with yourself
Observe how you feel internally at certain moments throughout the day. You can set a timer on your phone for every 1 hour, 6 hours, or just 2 times a day at first.
Every time the alarm goes off do an internal check-in and ask yourself how you are feeling at the moment.
This also helps to practice present-moment awareness.
2. Take yourself less seriously
Such a big one! So many of us walk around taking ourselves so seriously when in actuality, not much in life is.
A good tip when you feel yourself getting worked up is to ask yourself if this will matter 5 years, 5 months, or even 5 days from now. If the answer is no, then let it go. If yes, then work to change what is in your control and let the rest go.
We often sweat the small stuff and it takes the passing of a loved one or something major to wake us up about what is important in life. Let’s not wait for the worst to happen, let’s loosen up and enjoy life now!
A great book I read many years ago that I continue to go back to is called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff. Simple ways to keep the little things from taking over your life.
This book is such a great reminder of just how much energy we give to the small things.
3. Allow for space
Take a deep breath and allow some space to come in before you react mentally, verbally, or physically.
Before your mind can make up a story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, before you say or do something that you’ll later regret, just take a breath.
When we allow space to come into a moment it can often break up the incessant thoughts causing the emotions and helps ground you.
You can also use the breath as a reminder to notice what is happening inside of you.
4. Practice acceptance and non-resistance
A lot of time we have emotional reactions because we want things to be different than they are.
If you can make changes then do so, but if the situation is out of your control, then let it go and accept things as they are.
Resistance to what is going against the flow of life. This can be hard but remember there is beauty in the unknown.
Acceptance is major because emotions and feelings are a part of being human. Do not pass any judgment when they emerge. Just notice them and move forward. They are not good or bad, right or wrong, they just are.
5. Think about what you’re thinking about
The mind is quite a powerful instrument. It can have us on the verge of a breakdown about something that has never even happened and probably never will.
Our brains seem to be in constant fear mode, so everything feels like a threat that has to be solved. We then turn this “problem” into a condition for our happiness. We tell ourselves that we cannot be happy until this problem is fixed.
How ridiculous is that? Once we think about what is happening, we can start to shift our thinking.
2 good reads for controlling negative cycles and overthinking are:
2. Battlefield of the Mind (Spiritual Growth Series): Winning the Battle in Your Mind
6. Stop defending your point /overexplaining
Overexplaining and defending are done out of insecurity. On some level when we do this it’s because we are looking for validation and approval, so we feel like we have to prove ourselves.
We start defending our point of view as if our life depends on it.
This is so unnecessary. Make your point and move on. You don’t have to do anything to prove it.
7. Boundaries
The BIG B! Setting boundaries, especially for people-pleasers can be very difficult, but it is essential for emotional self-care.
You have to have a line that you draw or a limit you set around things that you will not accept and that are not good for your emotional well-being.
You can’t allow people or situations to take everything from you and leave you with nothing.
That’s depleting and not healthy.
It also feels really good when you stand firm in your boundaries. You get some type of freeing and empowered feeling that feels really good.
Stand up for yourself. You’re worth it!
8. The power of NO
No is a complete sentence. Period. Going back to an earlier point, you don’t have to over-explain the reason you can’t do something. If it goes against your boundaries, morals or you simply don’t feel good about it, you can always just say no!
If that doesn’t feel comfortable for you, then try “No, thank you, or “No, I’m afraid I can’t do that” in your same friendly tone. You don’t have to be rude or unpleasant about it, so don’t worry about being rude or mean.
Most people will understand and actually respect you more for telling them the truth.
A good read on setting boundaries and saying no is: Boundaries, Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
9. Mindful Meditation
A 5-minute meditation is nice to settle down your emotions, come back to the present moment, and allow space to come in between your feelings.
A good quote is to “Be where your feet are.” This is such a great reminder on staying present!
10. Gratitude
To be grateful for everything and everyone in your life, the way it is. Whenever you feel your emotions starting to put you in a slump think of all the things you have in your life and all there is to be thankful for.
Gratitude journals are also great to write down everything you are thankful for. When you’re feeling down, open up your journal for a nice reminder.
11. Yoga
Yoga can be just what is needed when your emotions are crazy, and you want to reset and get moving.
They have quick 5–10-minute yoga sessions that are great for an emotional re-set.
12. Journaling
Journaling is such a good way to get your emotions and thoughts out of your head and (body) and onto paper.
It’s a good release and purging. You will be surprised how good you feel afterwards.
13. Prayer
Last, but certainly not least is to pray. Saying a quiet prayer to yourself can change a lot when you feel emotionally drained and overwhelmed. Prayer indeed changes things!
FINAL THOUGHTS ON EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Emotional Self-Care is vital for our well-being. Just as we take care of our outward appearance, we also need to take care of our emotional health.
If we care for our emotions at the level, they deserve we will feel so much better, and life will get greater.
Do you have any emotional self-care tips to add to the list? Please let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear them!
Leave a Reply