6 Aspects of Self-Care

When you think about a self-care routine, you may think about activities that feel excessive or indulgent, but we believe that self-care is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. 

Self-care is more than skin care, taking cozy baths, or getting a fresh haircut. It should include all six aspects of your health.

In this blog post, I’ve broken down Health and Wellbeing into six categories – how well are you doing in each of these aspects of health? What areas are missing from your life?

1. Sleep Health

Sleep is a necessary part of our body’s resting and healing process. Getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night is a struggle for most people, but even those who do get eight hours may not have the best sleep.

Finding a comfortable pillow, mattress, and bedding will improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Using a pillow that supports your neck leads to the function of the rest of the spine. If your neck is feeling good, it’s likely that all else will follow! 

Sage Sleep has a variety of high quality pillows and sleep products that we recommend for home and travel.

2. Social-Emotional Health

When we live busy lives full of responsibilities like managing family duties and career, we often put our social lives to the side. It may feel “unnecessary” or “selfish” to spend time maintaining and developing your friendships.

However, people who maintain a strong social-emotional health, tend to be happier, more motivated, and even perform better at work.

Grab coffee with a friend! Send someone a text this week that you haven’t had a chance to sit down with 1-on-1 in a while and schedule a coffee date. Preferably someone who makes you feel the most like yourself! Burlaep Print & Press has plenty of space for meeting up and serves coffee roasters from all over the country, so there is always something new to try!

The Common House is a place where I can practice social health by connecting with friends, acquaintances, and people I would not run into in my everyday routines. They offer programming like wine tasting, game nights, fitness classes, and feature presenters on unique topics. It also helps me to feel less isolated as an entrepreneur when using the beautiful co-working spaces!

3. Physical Health

As you know, resting and treating yourself to your favorite pastry is ABSOLUTELY a form of self-care. You can also #treatyourself by giving your body the nutrients it needs and getting your body moving it so it feels better long-term.

Do you know which foods and nutrients make your body feel good and what makes it want to lay down and take a nap? Haven Holistic Health offers “Food Intolerance Testing” that provides specific answers to exactly what foods are causing intolerances so you know what your body wants and what isn’t making it happy. They also provide support and resources to help you sustain dietary changes.

Pilates is an excellent way to build and maintain strength throughout your whole body, especially to support your spinal health! It can also be a wonderful way to meet new people or try something new. Sign-up for a class at Pilates Tonic or for a one-on-one session with our friend, Kirstin Hill, and your body will thank you!

4. Intellectual Health

Leaning into your sense of curiosity and continued learning is an important way continue to grow, find hobbies, and make new connections. Being intellectually healthy means that you give yourself opportunities to try new things and discover what brings you joy. 

Take a class at The Chattery! The Chattery offers a variety of online and in-person classes for adult learning. Everything from arts & crafts, professional development, cooking, and health & wellness can be found here! They even have a free “Self-Care & Mindfulness” Webinar available to download at any time.

Discover something new at The Book & Cover, our favorite neighborhood bookstore. The Book & Cover encourages you to “read books” and “stay curious.” They create a space for curious readers by offering an inviting, unique physical environment; curating a diverse and engaging inventory of books and products; and hosting programming that inspires participants to read, dream, and come together to create a better community.

5. Environmental Health

Our environments around us impact our mood, relationships, and our overall health. How can you find ways to create a healthier environment at home, work, or school?

Many indoor plants filter and purify air from common household toxins. They require a little bit of care, which gives us a sense of accomplishment when they flourish. (Which they will, you can do it!)

One of Chattanooga’s newest plant shops worth checking out is Plant Candy Collective:

6. Nervous System Health

The body and the health of the body is controlled by the nervous system. When the nervous system is functioning properly, it’s constantly adapting, but what we find is that it’s not always functioning properly. Sometimes it’s under stress. So much stress that it starts adapting very poorly. When this continues to happen for a long period of time people health problems.

Regular checks with your chiropractor can help reduce stress on the nervous system. Did you know there is a way to test how the nervous system is functioning? At The Specific we utilize a functional nervous system test at each visit. This helps us measure how much stress your nervous system is experiencing, and it guides us on when it is necessary to adjust the spine.

Getting regular massages can help to lower stress levels and calm the nervous system. Our go-to massage therapist is Mary Burn. She is trained in Lomi Lomi massage and specializes in providing a moment of deep relaxation during her client’s active lifestyles. (She also has gift cards available – which would make a great self-care gift for yourself or a friend!)