Other than spending time with God, there are many ways to practice selfcare and the best ways for you would depend on your personality.
I love the Myers-Briggs Personality Test. Personally, my results (INFP) are very true to my personality. That’s not always the case for everyone. My sister didn’t find the results very true for her. One thing for sure, though, is that the test (as with other personality tests) leads you to introspection. It helps you think about how you think, process experiences, deal with situations and other people, etc. It helps you examine yourself and, from that self-examination, get to know yourself. You can then take what you learned and apply it towards selfcare.
For example, I have a friend who learned that she is the type of person who loves to help others, investing practically all of her time and energy on other people. She naturally cares that much. To practice selfcare, she has to learn how to spend time and energy on herself by saying no to others (and she has to learn that saying no is okay).
If you want to take the Myers-Briggs test, 16personalities.com is a great website to do it.
Remember, selfcare is stress management. There are activities we love to do that may also create a lot of stress or drain our energy. I love spending time with friends, but as an introvert, solitude recharges my batteries. After a while, being in a party becomes stressful for me! Reading is one way I practice selfcare, but if I’m reading required material (like textbooks), reading becomes a chore and a source of stress.
There are also high-impact activities that may reduce stress. Jazz dance classes would be it for me. It may be exercise, rock-climbing, or playing a sport for other people. Selfcare isn’t just spa days and massages. Some high-impact or high-energy activities are cathartic to some people (it just depends on the person).
Ask yourself what you like to do.
What are your hobbies?
What gives you pleasure?
What places you in a bubble of bliss?
What helps you step away for a moment?
Where can you go that gives you peace and quiet?
When (day or time/hour) do you get the least distractions?
Your answers will give you ideas of how you can practice selfcare. Pick one and try it out today!
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