The Pyramid of Self-Care

How to make self-care a part of your life

Here’s how to use the Pyramid of Self-Care:

1. Basic Self-Care

This is about taking care of your essential needs.

It’s the foundation for feeling good and staying healthy.

For example:

→ Brushing your teeth

→ Getting enough sleep

→ Taking a shower (or a hot-cold shower, like me)

Basically, it’s just the basic stuff that keeps you going every day.




2. Emotional Self-Care

This layer is all about taking care of your feelings.

It helps you stay emotionally balanced and happy.

For example:

→ Keeping a journal

→ Talking with friends or family about your feelings

→ Doing activities you enjoy, like painting or playing music

I’m not a huge fan of painting or music.

But I know they’re therapeutic for many.

So, this layer is about making sure your emotional needs are met.




3. Physical Self-Care

This is about taking care of your real home—your body.

It’s about making sure you feel strong, energized, and healthy.

For example:

→ Eating well

→ Going for a walk in nature

→ Hitting the gym (my second home!)

→ Drinking enough water (underrated!)




4. Mental Self-Care

This layer is all about keeping your mind sharp.

It’s about doing things that help you think clearly and handle stress.

For example:

→ Doing puzzles

→ Learning new skills

→ Practicing meditation (try Zen Meditation! Love it!)

It’s like exercise for your brain.




5. Spiritual Self-Care

This is about finding meaning and purpose.

It’s about practices that help you connect with your inner self.

It helps you feel fulfilled at the end of the day.

For example:

→ Reflecting on your values

→ Spending time in nature (it’s therapeutic!)

→ Engaging in activities that give you a sense of purpose

It’s the stuff that keeps you grounded.

It helps you stay connected to something bigger.




That’s it.

Now, we just gotta fit each layer into our crazy schedules.

How?

By scheduling them. Period.

And let’s remember: self-care isn’t selfish.

We can’t truly care for others if we don’t take care of ourselves.


So, what’s your favorite layer?