Try these holistic self-care tips to really take care of you — body, mind, and soul.
– KEYS SOULCARE
“Soulcare is paying attention to that part of you that you can’t see, but can feel.” — Alicia Keys
Self-care might seem like a long-said buzzword, but this wellness trend is here to stay. Self-care is more than bath bombs or once-in-a-blue-moon spa days; it’s a muscle we build up over time through intentional, daily actions (big and small).
Shifting our perspective on self-care from a “should-do” to a “must-do” ritual is no easy feat — but the payoff includes powerful, positive effects that ripple through ourselves and our lives. It’s that warm, powerful, top-of-the-world feeling that inspires the Keys Soulcare team and all the rituals we incorporate into our lives, too. Here’s the essential guide we’re using to care for ourselves from the outside in.
WHAT IS SELF-CARE, ANYWAY?
Self-care is an umbrella of activities and toolkits that help a person take care of their overall health. Self-care routines can encompass acts of physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, societal, and social spheres of your life.
Self-care also isn’t something you do once and — poof! — you are perfect. Instead, it’s a lifelong commitment to showing up for yourself through healthy habits, whether that’s therapy, taking care of your to-do list, or making it a priority to eat nutritious foods. The list goes on. Let’s dive into it.
VIBE HIGHER WITH THESE 5 ESSENTIAL TYPES OF SELF-CARE
In a self-care rut? Not sure what rituals and routines are truly serving you? Let’s get into a few core ways you can practice caring for yourself mindfully on the daily, not just occasionally.
A strong self-care practice includes more than just the actions themselves, but embodying the intentions behind them. It’s one thing to say, “I’m going to the gym to work out.” It’s another thing to say, “I’m going to the gym because I love myself and want to take care of myself.”
But self-care that taps into your inner knowing and innate power? That’s what we’re really after. Here are 5 ways to look at your self-care efforts holistically, because it’s all connected.
PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Physical self-care can really run the gamut, from making time for your favorite exercises in the team to joining a local sport league. They can also extend to the tiniest moments in your day. Other common forms of physical self-care might include:
• Going on a walk on your lunch break
• Asking a loved one for a hug (human touch can be so healing!)
• Getting a massage, acupuncture, or going to a yoga class
• Prioritizing eating high-nutrition value foods
• Dance, rock climbing, biking, or a neighborhood stroll
MENTAL SELF-CARE
Mental self-care looks different for everyone, but it’s important to make the time to clear your mind. You might pencil in thoughts about your day in a gratitude journal, for instance, or call a friend to process.
Mental self-care can also include restorative activities like:
• Yoga, meditation, or breathwork
• Therapy or counseling
• Reciting positive affirmations or setting intentions
• Get unplugged and off your phone
EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
The benefits of any of the tactics you employ for physical and mental self-care can also have a huge impact on your emotional health. Tapping into your inner knowing means that you listen to what your body needs, and you are kind to yourself about it. So, emotional self-care can include any of the self-care tips above, plus:
• Acknowledging your emotions
• Listening to or playing music
• Reading a book
• Expressing your feelings to others
• Taking a mental health day
SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
Tapping into spiritual self-care is also highly dependent on the individual, providing an outlet to nourish your faith, beliefs, or values. Spiritual self-care tips include:
• Going to church or worship services
• Meditation or yoga
• Spending quality time in nature
• Elevating your vibration with crystals and stones
SOCIAL SELF-CARE
Maintaining healthy, happy relationships help us live longer and bring joy to our lives. Social self-care doesn’t mean sprinting through life in a hurry. Instead, take stock of how you show up in social situations now. Are you distracted on your phone, multi-tasking, or checking emails? Are you present and fostering gratitude in the moment?
Here are a few more ways to practice self-care socially:
• Calling a friend to catch up
• Making social plans with your friends (here are a few energizing ideas to start)
• Saying “no” to a social plan
• Creating traditions with your family
OK, SO WHY IS SELF-CARE IMPORTANT?
Without self-care strategies in your arsenal, it can be hard to feel fully in your power. Self-care is continuous maintenance, not an occasional treat.
It’s up to you which kinds of self-care (and soulcare) resonate with you, which makes it beautifully unique. The key is to make self-care activities something you actively look forward to and enjoy.
WHY THE BEST SELF-CARE IS ALSO SOULCARE
WHAT TURNS SKINCARE TO SOULCARE?
It takes time to turn a routine into a ritual, and just because you have a skincare ritual doesn’t make it genuine soulcare.
Instead, soulcare is the rich alchemy of ritual and intention, merging the energies of the everyday with your aspirations for the future. Soulcare turns the quotidian — like cleansing your face each morning — into a transformational moment of mindfulness you can carry with you throughout your day.
AFFIRMATIONS AS SELF-CARE
Speaking kindly to yourself is, indeed, a powerful form of self-care. Repeating positive daily affirmations can create a mindful moment to ground yourself and set intentions. That’s part of why each soulcare offering comes with its own affirmation: we want you to feel empowered and uplifted with each use of our offerings.
A few soulcare affirmations you can try:
• “I am strong, smart, and capable.”
• “I give myself permission to glow.”
• “I own my power.”
• “I shine at full wattage.”
THE SELF-CARE OF RITUALS
Has it been a while since you had something that’s just for you, and only you? Maybe it’s time to introduce some micro-moments and rituals that fill your cup first. This might look like:
• Waking up before the kids for an hour of quiet time
• Making a point to log off at a certain time each day
• Weekly date night
• Your relaxing nightly shower ritual
THE SELF-CARE OF SLEEP
Make no mistake — rest is a critical piece of the self-care puzzle. Without rest and relaxation, you’ll be hard-pressed to have time for other forms of self-care. Are you in the midst of a hard-working, hustling season of life?
To avoid burnout, make sure to pencil in days for doing nothing. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night, and practice good sleep hygiene (put away those screens before bed). Feeling tired? Give yourself the pleasure of a quick nap.
LETTING GO OF WHAT DOESN’T SERVE YOU
The act of letting go of what doesn’t serve you takes practice, dedication, and discernment.
To practice determining what is serving you, try this exercise. First, take inventory of your life in all areas: your health, your job, your relationships, your creative practice. Rate these areas of life on a scale of 1 (being the least satisfying) to 5 (the most satisfying).
Then, consider why certain areas are more fulfilling than others. Can you redirect your time, energy, or money to enrich the areas of your life where you are feeling fulfilled? This is just one way to encourage awareness of what may not be serving you energetically.
NOURISHING SELF-CARE IDEAS: KEYS SOULCARE BUNDLES
Not sure how to start building a self-care ritual from scratch? Instead of researching and DIY-ing, we’ve curated targeted soulcare bundles to make it easier for you to start giving yourself some love. These intentionally-crafted rituals cleanse the skin, soothe the soul, and leave you feeling radiant, no matter your skin type or concern.
Which of these rituals feels right for you, right now? Let us know what you’re planning to try — and once you do, what you feel — in the comments.
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