Hey Mamas, how many emotional self-care activities are you doing a week!?
Emotional self-care is the process of taking care of yourself by addressing your emotional needs. It’s an important part of overall wellness, and it can help you manage stress, prevent burnout, and improve relationships with others.
In this post you’ll learn more about what emotional self-care is and how to practice it in your daily life. Be sure to download my FREE Monthly Emotional Self-Care Checklist below to help you plan and execute your self-care!
What Is Emotional Health?
Emotional health is the ability to be aware of and regulate your emotions. It’s not the same as happiness, or even being in a good mood.
Emotional health means you’re able to have a full range of feelings and reactions to your experiences, including anger, sadness, loneliness and stress. You can be happy and healthy at the same time but feeling depressed doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re struggling with your emotional health.
Concerned about your emotional health, but not sure where to start? Take a Free Mental Health Test on TalkSpace’s site.
What Is Emotional Self-Care?
Emotional self-care involves choosing activities that can help you take care of your emotional health. It’s a way to manage stress, anxiety and other feelings that can be overwhelming.
Emotional self-care doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing thing. You can practice it by taking time out of your day to do something nice for yourself, spending time with friends or family members who make you feel good or doing something creative as a release from negative thoughts.
When you engage in emotional self-care activities like journaling or meditation, you’re making sure that your emotions are being taken care of. You can do these activities alone or with others!
Why Is Emotional Self-Care Important?
Emotional self-care is important because it helps you to be a better mommy, spouse or partner. If you are feeling down, upset or angry, it can affect how you treat others and how they treat you.
You may find yourself snapping at people who don’t deserve it; whether it’s your children, an acquaintance, or a stranger on the street. Taking care of your emotional health will make you feel better, be more productive, and be more creative!
Want to automate your self-care!? Read my article Lifesaving Self-Care Subscriptions, to learn about self-care subscriptions that will make your life 100 times easier!
10 Emotional Self-Care Activities for Adults
Emotional self-care activities can be as simple as taking a walk or as complex as going to therapy.
They can be as simple as taking a bath or as complex as going to a support group.
Emotional self-care activities are the things you do to nurture yourself emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
These activities boost your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, help you sleep better at night, and reduce negative thoughts and feelings that may make it hard for you to function. Here are 10 I recommend!
1. Rest and Relaxation
This may include sleeping or taking a nap, reading a good book, listening to music, going for a walk or a bike ride, spending time with friends and family members who make you feel happy, or just sitting quietly with nature.
2. Exercise and Movement
Exercise and movement like yoga or tai chi (the “moving meditation” form) are calming exercises that can help release stress from the body while improving circulation and energy levels overall. I love YogaDownload.com and Shvasa Authentic Yoga!
3. Meditation
Meditation helps us focus on one thing at a time without worrying about other things in our lives that may stress us out. It also allows us more time to reflect on our situation and choose a path forward. I love 7 Minute Mindfulness, Ziva, and INeedMotivation.com.
4. Journaling
Journaling gives us an outlet where we can write down all those thoughts which have been swirling around inside our heads. Especially ones where we haven’t been able to reach a decision. Journaling helps clarify our thinking process by comparing different perspectives before making decisions based on these contrasting viewpoints.
For self-care journals I recommend, visit my 9 Types of Self-Care article!
For mood-tracking journals I recommend, visit my Trapped Emotions and Weight Gain article!
5. Nutrition and Sleep
Eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep. The body needs both these things to function at its best, especially in times of stress or anxiety.
6. Reading
Read something that interests you! If reading isn’t on your agenda today, listen to music instead (or watch TV/movies).
7. Take a Walk
Take a walk in nature or around town. Clear your mind by taking in the sights and sounds of the world around you, and let the stresses of the day slip away with each step forward.
8. Just Sit
Sit outside for some fresh air and sunshine.
9. Be Social
Spending time with friends and family and engaging in hobbies that bring you joy. These activities help keep our minds balanced and calm so we can better cope with stressful situations.
10. Pamper Yourself
Getting a massage, manicure, pedicure, taking a bath (with candles!), and listening to music. These are all effective ways to mindfully take care of ourselves physically, as well as, mentally daily.
11. Listen to Music
Listening to music is a great way to stay positive, especially when you’re feeling down. This activity can be as simple as turning on your favorite tune while you do chores or driving in the car, but it also works well in conjunction with other activities on this list.
Looking for mental self-care ideas? Read my article, 9 Mental Health Activities for Adults!
Final Thoughts: Emotional Self-Care Activities for Adults
Good emotional health means you can manage your emotions and make decisions based on what’s best for you, not only in the long term but also in the short term. I hope you find the ideas provided above helpful.
I know that caring for your emotional health may seem like a difficult task, but it can be done! The key is to take small steps towards improving your mental well-being. Start by taking some time each day to do something that makes you feel good; whether it’s reading a book, meditating or listening to music.
Then gradually add more activities as the weeks go on. Need help planning out your self-care? Download my FREE Monthly Emotional Self-Care Checklist!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts or emotions on any given day, reach out for help from someone who knows about overcoming anxiety and depression (like a psychologist or counselor). Visit my Products and Services I Recommend to find reputable therapy services.
Have you tried any of my emotional self-care activities? Tell me in the comments below!
Are there any I missed that you recommendation? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
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