Self-Care Practices
Here are some self-care tips we have found helpful for people experiencing difficult times or situations. There are suggestions for increasing your physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being!
PHYSICAL
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EMOTIONAL
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SPIRITUAL
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INTELLECTUAL
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SOCIAL
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| Exercise regularly |
| Rest |
| Eat a balanced diet |
| Limit “junk food” |
| Drink 8 glasses of water daily |
| Maintain weight in desired range |
| Limit alcohol consumption |
| Stop smoking |
| Visit your physician for regular check-ups |
| Use medications as prescribed |
| Practice the relaxation response |
| Control environmental stressors |
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| Allow yourself to feel and express emotions: anger, sadness, gladness, fear |
| Express emotions appropriately and respectfully |
| Resolve conflicts |
| Improve your self-awareness |
| Nurture yourself/treat yourself well |
| Don’t take yourself too seriously |
| Work off anger with physical exercise |
| Say “no” when you want to or need to |
| Ask directly for what you want |
| Cry |
| Laugh |
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| Pray |
| Meditate as a religious or nonreligious practice |
| “Let go” of unsolvable problems |
| Go to church, synagogue or temple |
| Commune with nature |
| Read inspirational prose or poetry |
| “Flow” with the events of life |
| Appreciate the beauty of music, art |
| Do something for another person |
| Take one day at a time |
| Clarify your values or beliefs |
| Experience your self-worth |
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| Ask questions |
| Read |
| Attend seminars |
| Discuss controversial issues |
| Conduct experiments/research |
| Take risks |
| Daydream |
| Learn new skills, facts |
| Consider different viewpoints |
| Relabel unpleasant situations |
| Develop a life plan |
| Develop a career plan |
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| Develop and use support systems |
| Engage in hobbies |
| Talk with friends and family |
| Take time off/vacations |
| Rehabilitate or end a bad marriage |
| Rehabilitate or end unsatisfactory friendships |
| Limit amount of TV viewing or watch TV with others |
| Engage in creative pastimes |
| Enjoy intimacy or sex |
| Play with children |
| Seek enjoyable ways to work |
| Spend time alone |
| Go out to entertaining events |
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