Self-Care for Well-Being: 4 Key Areas to Support a Healthier You
June 25, 2025 | By Dana Harron
This is a repost of our blog originally posted in 2024.
The Why and How of Self-Care
There is one little piece of the world that you are completely obligated to take care of… you.
Think about a time when you were your worst self, maybe you were nasty, argumentative, or rude. Why did you act that way? Were you taking good care of yourself at the time? I bet you probably weren’t.
Now, remember a time that you were your best self, maybe you were generous, forgiving, and genuinely caring. How were you feeling at the time? Most people say they’re able to treat others well when they themselves are feeling well. When you are taking good care of yourself, you’re also making yourself available to take good care of the world around you.
Taking care of yourself is a moral imperative.
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care is more of an attitude than any particular set of behaviors. It’s about prioritizing your needs and making a point to be thoughtful about treating yourself well.
Self-Care Practices
Below is a list of self-care practices related to four key areas of life: physical, relational, emotional, and domestic well-being. You might find it helpful to reflect on whether any of these areas could use a bit more care or attention.
Physical Self-Care
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Your body is the core of your well-being and when your basic core needs are met, everything else seems to feel more manageable.
Keeping your body clean
Wearing clean and comfortable clothes that fit
Eating when hungry
Stopping eating when full
Drinking as much water as needed
Going to the bathroom as needed
Sleeping enough
Getting enjoyable exercise
Spending time outside
Brushing teeth and flossing regularly
Getting medical and dental check-ups
Attending to illness and injury
Relational Self-Care
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Relationships play a powerful role in your overall well-being, so it's essential to cultivate strong, supportive connections by surrounding yourself with people who truly care about you.
Maintaining a network of people to have fun with
Maintaining a network of people to rely on emotionally
Balancing spending time with others and alone
Establishing healthy boundaries and sticking to them
Being honest with others who are important to you
Communicating your needs and wants clearly in relationships
Saying no when needed
Spending time with people you like
Keeping in touch with people whose relationships you value.
Emotional Self-Care
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You deserve to feel, express, and process your emotions in healthy, compassionate ways and that begins with noticing how you respond to those feelings when they arise.
Taking time to pay attention to feelings
Treating your feelings like they are important
Regularly talking to a friend, family member and/or therapist about feelings
Having healthy and constructive outlets for anger
Comforting yourself when sad
Allowing yourself to cry when sad
Generally being aware of mood states
Talking to yourself in a loving and compassionate manner
Spending time doing things you enjoy
Considering yourself to be responsible for your own happiness
Domestic Self-Care
Creating a safe and supportive environment with your needs in mind can have a powerful impact on your state of mind, helping you feel more grounded and at ease.
Keeping your environment clean
Keeping your environment comfortable
Cluttering your environment with too many things
Fixing broken things relatively quickly
Paying bills shortly after they arrive
Ensuring that there is adequate lighting to see well
Maintaining a comfortable temperature in the home
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Final Thoughts: Self-Care Is an Ongoing Practice
Self-care is an ongoing commitment to yourself. Re-evaluate your self-care behaviors periodically and when you find yourself in need of an adjustment, take the time to give yourself one. You deserve it and the world deserves a you that is in optimal condition.
Reach Out
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You can also call or text us at 202-656-3681, or email us directly. Give yourself the opportunity for the support you deserve.