Emotional Self-Care
As you may remember in the introduction to the 8 domains of self-care, there are many facets to how we can tend to our self-care needs. The first that we will explore together is emotional self-care. According to Amanda at TulipandSage.com, emotional self-care is about becoming more in tune with our emotions. It's about checking in with yourself, becoming more mindful of your triggers and thinking patterns, and finding ways to work through them, rather than bottling them up inside.
When you think about this domain, you may consider the following questions (perhaps by journaling, drawing, meditating, or chatting with a friend):
Get in touch with your emotions. What are you feeling right now? If you need some support in identifying your emotions, you might considering checking out the Feelings Wheel.
How have you attended to your emotional needs today? Have you made space for your emotions or have you resisted them? Is there room to bring more attention and kindness to your emotional experience?
Is there anything I need to let go of today? If so, how would I like to go about letting go? Is it through journaling, moving my body, changing my thoughts…?
Who is in my corner? Who can I reach out to for help when I need it?
Write a letter to your younger self: what do you want them to know?
What are you grateful for today?
Write a list of ways you currently tend to your emotional needs and ways you would like to improve your attention to your emotional needs.
The following is a list of ways you might consider tending to your emotional needs. Notice which ones resonate for you and which don’t feel as useful. Perhaps there is something else you are already doing (if so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!).
Practice meditation, such as the “RAIN” meditation by Tara Brach
Practice saying no to things you don’t want to do
Listen to a favorite song or create a playlist based around your mood or a particular emotion you want to get more in touch with
Practice gratitude (perhaps make a list of things you’re grateful for or simply take a moment to acknowledge the people, places, beings, and things that bring you joy)
Do a craft or color - let your mind take a break
Ask for help - maybe this means going to therapy!
Take a break from social media
Listen to a podcast that you enjoy
Read a book
Take time every day to intentionally feel your feelings (perhaps by meditating, journaling, or using an app to track your mood)
How are you intentionally practicing emotional self-care? Let me know in the comments below!
For more information, please see the article 6 Types of Self-Care & Ways to Practice Them, from which much of this information has been gathered.
