On TikTok, everyone and their mom is doing a self-care routine, and honestly, I’m here for it, haha! Self-care has become a hot topic and a hot trend on social media that everyone is exploiting. Although I myself love self-care and quirky routines online, I found myself getting too excited about self-care and almost forgot the importance of self-care. This article describes the benefits, similarities and differences between self-care and soul care that we all need to know and understand. Burnout is at an all-time high, so we can’t get too caught up in the aesthetics of self-care and forget that we need to take care of our souls, too!
You’re probably wondering, “Girl, what’s the difference?” » Self-care It is when you prioritize and practice routines that replenish and restore you physically and externally, while soul care is about prioritizing their mind and spirit while tapping into resources, routines and rituals that help them maintain their internal emotional and spiritual well-being. Personally, I believe that both are mutually beneficial and one will not be as effective without the other. I view both as a recipe for a healthy, balanced life and mind.
“You cannot pour from an empty cup” or “Be still and know” are all things we have heard to give us priority in this busy thing called life. But seriously, taking care of yourself and your soul is essential, because the truth is that we can’t help others if we don’t help ourselves first.
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Have you ever been on a plane and before you take off, the flight attendants show you how to put on an air mask in case of an emergency? They always emphasize that you must first put on your mask, before helping the person next to you. Well, the same goes for self and soul care!
Being partially raised by a grandmother who raised the majority of her grandchildren, involved in the community and always generous, I too learned to have a big heart of compassion. But it wasn’t until adulthood that I had to learn that putting your own needs first would improve your quality of life and give you more ability to do the same for others.
Not only is taking care of yourself and your soul essential, but it is something that every human being deserves. Taking care of yourself and your soul doesn’t always have to be luxurious and Instagram-friendly. Self-care and soul care will be different for everyone based on their wants, needs, and creativity. Here are my top 5 self-care and soul-care habits that help me live the life I’ve prayed for:
My Top 5 Self-Care Habits:
- Take 1 bath at least once a week with Epsom salt.
It helps me slow down and prioritize calm while doing aquatic therapy at home. Water helps soothe and relax my muscles, especially when I add Epsom to help detoxify my skin!
Courtesy of @iamasadugger/Instagram - Drink ginger tea and take my vitamins in the morning.
Ginger tea in the morning helps soothe my sinuses and gives me the boost I need to start my day. My vitamins also help me get the nutrients and supplements I need for my p’s and q’s! - Clean my workspace, living room, and kitchen to reset them before starting or ending my day.
I live by the rule of thumb that a clean space fosters a clean, open mind! - Turn off social media notifications.
It helps me reduce my screen time - Exercise, stretch, or go for a walk.
Movement produces healing and progress. It helps get my blood flow and muscles moving so I feel good. If you’re working from home, I suggest looking for stretches online to help stretch your hands, neck, and back. You can also find ways to increase your movement while working from home online.
Courtesy of @iamasadugger/Instagram
My Top 5 Soul Care Habits:
Overall, taking care of your soul and taking care of yourself are not the same thing. I hope this article encourages you to prioritize both and incorporate them into your daily lifestyle. It’s not always easy but Maya Angelou even said: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has undergone to achieve that beauty. Let us begin to enjoy the process of becoming more while prioritizing ourselves.
