Who actually has time for self-care? Self-care—a term that’s become shorthand for scented candles, spa days, or bubble baths, but for many, it feels like just another unchecked item on an ever-growing to-do list. But what if we’ve been thinking about “self-care” all wrong?
When the Greek philosopher Socrates said, “My friend...care for your psyche...know thyself, for once we know ourselves, we may learn how to care for ourselves,” he wasn’t prescribing a luxury lifestyle. He was pointing to something deeper: the idea that truly caring for ourselves begins with understanding ourselves.
Real self-care isn’t indulgent. It’s not a treat or a reward—it’s a practice, and like any meaningful practice, it requires consistency, intention, and discipline. It looks more like booking your six-month dental check than planning a spa day.
The truth is, that self-care feels hard because it is hard.
Too often, we treat self-care as a one-off activity, but in reality, it’s a survival technique—a mindset and framework that runs through every part of our lives. I see it as an umbrella term for a layered, intentional approach to living that supports your whole self.
In this guide, we’ll explore what self-care really means—beyond the clichés—and break it down into six interconnected dimensions that can help you live more consciously, sustainably, and well.
6 Types of Self-Care
True self-care is not a single act of indulgence—it’s a layered, multidimensional practice rooted in self-understanding. It involves making intentional choices that support your whole self, even when they are not easy or instantly rewarding.
Let’s explore the six core dimensions of this term, starting with the physical.
1. Physical Self-Care
Physical self-care goes far beyond the occasional spa day or bubble bath. It’s the foundation of well-being—and it’s built on how we move, eat, rest, and care for our bodies day to day.
At its core, physical self-care means treating your body not as a project to be perfected but as a home to be respected. Key elements include:
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Movement that feels good to your body, not just punishing workouts designed to "fix" perceived flaws
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Nourishing food that energises and satisfies—without guilt or restriction
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Prioritising rest, including quality sleep and recognising when your body needs to slow down
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Regular medical check-ups, hydration, and hygiene—all the basics that maintain your physical well-being
Physical self-care isn’t about chasing ideal wellness habits. It’s about listening to your body, responding with care, and building routines that support energy, resilience, and longevity.
2. Emotional Self-Care
Emotional self-care is about honouring your inner life—the thoughts, feelings, and responses that shape your day-to-day well-being.
Many of us, particularly women, have been conditioned to downplay our emotions or prioritise others’ feelings above our own. Emotional self-care invites you to reverse that pattern by making space for how you are feeling and why. It includes:
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Processing your feelings rather than suppressing them
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Journaling or seeking therapy to explore emotional patterns
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Allowing yourself to experience joy without guilt or justification
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Saying “no” when needed and setting clear boundaries to protect your energy
Emotional self-care reminds you that your feelings are valid—and caring for them is not selfish; it’s necessary.
3. Mental Self-Care
Just as your body needs rest and nourishment, your mind needs stimulation, stillness, and support. Mental self-care focuses on how we manage thoughts, absorb information, and maintain a healthy inner dialogue.
In a world full of noise and distraction, mental self-care creates the space to think clearly and engage meaningfully. It includes:
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Engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate your thinking
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Taking breaks from social media or news to avoid information overload
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Reframing negative self-talk and developing a kinder inner voice
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Cultivating a growth mindset—learning new things and staying curious about the world
Mental self-care means feeding your mind with quality input and protecting it from unnecessary stress. It strengthens your cognitive well-being and helps you stay grounded, focused, and mentally resilient.
4. Social Self-Care
We’re wired for connection, but not all relationships are equally supportive. Social self-care is about choosing the connections that nourish you and creating space from those that drain you.
It means being intentional with your time, your boundaries, and your emotional energy. It includes:
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Surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support you
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Recognising and stepping away from toxic or depleting relationships
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Making time for meaningful conversations and interactions
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Balancing solitude and socialising to match your unique energy levels and needs
Social self-care honours your need for belonging while also respecting your need for space.
5. Spiritual Self-Care
Spirituality doesn’t have to be religious. Spiritual self-care helps you stay connected to something larger than yourself—whether that’s faith, nature, community, or your own inner compass.
It’s less about belief systems and more about meaning, presence, and reflection. It includes:
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Finding practices that ground you (meditation, prayer, time in nature)
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Connecting with your personal beliefs and values
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Reflecting on what gives your life meaning beyond day-to-day demands
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Practising gratitude and cultivating mindfulness in daily moments
Spiritual self-care supports your sense of direction and purpose, especially when life feels chaotic or uncertain.
6. Political Self-Care
When Audre Lorde called self-care an act of “political warfare,” she wasn’t exaggerating. In a world that often expects women to put everyone else first, choosing to care for yourself is a radical act.
Political self-care asks you to recognise that personal well-being is also a structural issue—and that protecting your energy is a form of resistance. It includes:
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Rejecting the martyr narrative that glorifies women's burnout and self-sacrifice
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Challenging the productivity culture that ties your worth to constant output and performance
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Naming and pushing back against systems that profit from women's burnout, guilt, or insecurity
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Refusing to define yourself solely by what service you do for others
Political self-care reminds us that your exhaustion is not a personal failure—it’s a byproduct of systems designed to keep you small. Choosing to prioritise your well-being isn’t selfish. It’s necessary, and it’s powerful.
The Hard Parts of Self-Care
The most challenging aspects of self-care are rarely discussed in glossy magazine features—yet they’re the most important. They’re not the curated, photogenic moments. They’re the quiet, often invisible decisions we make when no one is watching.
Sometimes, self-care means speaking honestly when silence would be easier. It’s choosing to end relationships that no longer serve you. It’s showing up for yourself with discipline when motivation is nowhere to be found.
It also means choosing rest when your instincts push you to overwork. It’s the quiet accountability of doing what’s right for your well-being, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Real self-care asks you to trade short-term comfort for long-term alignment. It takes resilience and courage.
As Rebecca Traister put it, “The most radical thing a woman can do is to acknowledge that her needs matter and to refuse to take responsibility for the needs of everyone else.”
That isn’t indulgence. That’s resistance, and it's powerful!
A New Definition of Self-Care
Self-care isn’t a stand-alone action—it’s a fundamental way of living with intention, filtering through every aspect of your daily life. It’s not something you do occasionally; it’s how you choose to live, think, and show up—consistently.
The expectation that women will endlessly care for others while neglecting themselves isn’t just a personal challenge—it’s a structural one. When women are simultaneously supporting ageing parents, raising children, managing demanding careers, and running households, burnout speaks more about flaws in the systemic design of society—not a sign of personal failure.
And yet, we internalise it. We carry it as guilt as if we’re not doing enough.
But what if that narrative changed? What if self-care wasn’t a side note but the starting point? What if caring for yourself was the most rational, grounded way to build a meaningful, sustainable life? This reframing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing things differently.
A Quiet Invitation
Begin small—not with a plan, a routine, or a new commitment—but with awareness. Choose one moment today to turn inward. Notice what you need and respond with care!
When self-care becomes the foundation, not the afterthought, everything else begins to shift.
