You’re doing the self care.
You’ve tried the routines.
The bubble baths.
The journaling.
The “take a break and relax” advice.
And somehow… you still feel anxious.
Still overwhelmed.
Still not quite like yourself.
So you start wondering:
What am I doing wrong?
Why isn’t this working?
This is what most self care advice is missing.
Self care isn’t just one thing.
And if you’re only focusing on one type of self care, it can leave entire parts of you unsupported… which is why you can still feel off, even when you’re “doing everything right.”
Most people don’t realize there are different types of self care, and each one supports a different part of your mind, body, and nervous system.
When one is missing, your system feels it.
That’s why self care can feel like it’s not working.
There are 7 types of self care.
And once you understand how they work together, it becomes a lot easier to see what you actually need… and why nothing was clicking before.
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What are the 7 Types of Self Care?
Self care isn’t just one thing.
It’s made up of different areas that support your mind, body, and spirit in different ways. When one of those areas is being ignored, it can leave you feeling off, overwhelmed, or like nothing you try is really helping.
That’s why understanding the types of self care matters so much. Especially when you’re anxious.
Instead of guessing what you need, you see where you need support.
Here are the 7 types of self care:
- Mental Self Care
- Emotional Self Care
- Physical Self Care
- Environmental Self Care
- Social Self Care
- Recreational Self Care
- Spiritual Self Care
Each one supports a different part of you. And when you pay attention to all of them, self care feels a lot less confusing, and a lot more restorative.
Each type helps bring you back to yourself in small, meaningful ways. And together, they support a more balanced and peaceful life, even on days when you’re not feeling your best.
PRO TIP: If self care has ever felt confusing or like it’s not working, it’s usually because you’re self care plan isn’t balanced. Real self care support comes from caring for multiple parts of yourself, not just one.
Why the Self Care Types Matter for Anxiety
Honey! If you are just doing beauty treatments as self care, you are missing out.
Real self care goes deeper than what you see on the outside. It’s what helps you feel balanced in your mind, body, your emotions, and your spirit. It brings you back to center from the inside out, not the other way around.
Because the truth is, outer self care won’t fix what’s going on internally. And internal work won’t always support what your body needs physically.
For real relief, you need the right support for what you’re experiencing.
You wouldn’t ask your service dog to co-sign on your loan, right?
So why would you rely on beauty self care to fix something that isn’t a beauty issue?
That’s where understanding the self care types changes everything.
Instead of doing more, you do what actually helps.
When you begin exploring different types of self care, you can match the right support to what you’re feeling. Whether that’s physical tension, emotional overwhelm, mental exhaustion, or something you can’t quite put into words yet.
That is when self care starts to feel more supportive, more intentional, and a lot more effective.
What Self Care Can Do For You
When you’re using the right types of self care, you may start to notice:
- Reduced physical and emotional anxiety symptoms
- A calmer, more regulated nervous system
- Lower stress levels and fewer overwhelm cycles
- Improves self esteem and confidence
- A stronger connection to your authentic self
- Better social well being
- A deeper sense of purpose and direction
- Fewer emotional triggers over time
And honestly, so much more.
RECOMMENDED READING: If you want to go deeper into how self care supports your mental health, read What is Self Care and How It Improves Mental Health
Mental Self Care: Cultivating Cognitive Wellness
What is Mental Self Care?
Your brain is the powerhouse of the best creation ever made… you.
And it needs care to thrive.
Mental self care focuses on how you think, learn, and process the world around you. It’s about nurturing your cognitive health, supporting mental health, and giving your mind what it needs to function at its best.
WLM
Think of your mind like a garden.
What you plant there matters more than you think.
When you tend the soil, you can grow something beautiful. But when it’s left unattended, the weeds start to take over.
Mental self care is how you care for that soil. You’re preparing your mind for the person you want to become.
Why Mental Self Care Matters
When your mind feels overwhelmed, everything else becomes harder.
You may notice overthinking, difficulty focusing, or feeling mentally drained even when you haven’t done much physically.
Mental self care helps bring your thoughts back into a place that feels manageable. Mental self care helps you understand your thoughts, and how to guide them back to a calm and balanced place.
It supports your ability to focus, make decisions, and respond to stress in a calmer, more grounded way. And when you’re dealing with anxiety, that kind of support can make a real difference in how your entire day feels.
Signs You Might Need Mental Self Care
You may need more mental self care if you:
- Feel stuck in racing or repetitive thoughts
- Overthink conversations, decisions, or past situations
- Have trouble concentrating or staying present
- Feel mentally exhausted or foggy, even after resting
- Struggle to make decisions, even small ones
- Feel overwhelmed by information, noise, or daily tasks
- Find your mind constantly jumping from one thought to another
- Have trouble “turning your brain off,” especially at night
- Notice increased irritability or frustration from mental overload
- Feel like your thoughts are working against you instead of supporting you
- Replay situations in your head and analyze them over and over
- Feel pressure to “figure everything out” all at once
RECOMMENDED READING: If your mind feels overwhelmed or stuck in overthinking, learning how to fix a stressed brain can help you understand what’s happening and how to start calming your thoughts.
Simple Ways to Start Mental Self Care
Mental self care can be simple, and still incredibly effective.
- Continue learning in simple ways like trying a new recipe, taking a class, or exploring a new skill
- Set realistic goals that help focus your energy and give your mind direction
- Practice more supportive thinking patterns instead of harsh self-talk
- Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, especially on hard days
- Learn to recognize your own anxiety triggers and thought patterns
- Do light mental activities like crosswords or puzzles to support cognitive function
- Take intentional breaks to prevent mental fatigue and burnout
- Work with a therapist to unlearn unhealthy patterns and build more supportive ways of thinking
Mental self care isn’t about pushing yourself harder. It’s about giving your mind the space and support it needs to feel clear, calm, and capable again.
Mental self care is often the first place to start… because your thoughts shape everything else.
Recommended Reading: If you’ve been feeling stuck with your thoughts or like your usual tools aren’t helping, it may be a sign you need more support. This guide on 11 Powerful Reasons to Go Back to Therapy for Your Mental Health can help you figure out what feels right for you.
Emotional Self Care: Honoring Your Feelings
What is Emotional Self Care?
You know the commercial: Woman comes home upset after a hard day. She slips into a bubble bath, and her troubles melt away. –Cue music…Calgon take me away.–
It’s romantic. It’s comforting. And it’s wrong.
That scene is not true emotional self care.
Real emotional self care is learning what your emotions actually need… and supporting them in a way that helps you process what you’re feeling instead of avoiding it.
Because your emotions aren’t random. They’re signals.
Emotional self care is the practice of recognizing, accepting, and working through those emotional signals with compassion instead of pushing them down or pretending they’re not there.
WLM
And that bubble bath? It’s not wrong.. it’s just belongs to a different type of self care. You’ll see exactly where it fits as we keep going.
Signs You Might Need Emotional Self Care
You may need more emotional self care if you:
- feel disconnected from your emotions or unsure what you’re feeling
- feel overwhelmed by emotions that seem to come out of nowhere
- avoid difficult feelings or try to push them down
- feel emotionally drained or numb
- struggle to express your needs or communicate how you feel
- feel guilty for having certain emotions
- find yourself people-pleasing or overextending to avoid discomfort
- have a hard time setting or maintaining boundaries
Simple Ways to Start Emotional Self Care
Emotional self care is about facing what you feel, not avoiding it.
- Learn that emotions aren’t “good” or “bad,” they’re signals from your body
- Take time to understand why you feel a certain way instead of brushing it off
- Set boundaries that protect your energy and emotional space
- Practice saying no when something doesn’t feel right
- Journal your thoughts to process what’s going on internally
- Learning that to say no if it’s not a 100% enthusiastic yes!
- Take a pause when emotions feel intense so you can respond instead of react
- Explore your emotions in a safe space, like therapy
- Learn calming techniques to help you regulate during anxiety
Emotional self care isn’t about fixing your emotions.
It’s about learning how to be with yourself in a way that feels honest, supportive, and real.
RECOMMENDED READING: If you’ve ever felt unsure why your emotions feel so heavy or confusing, this guide on Why Do I Feel Empty? The Cheat Sheet to Rediscover Happiness on With Love, Me can help you understand what’s going on beneath the surface.
Physical Self Care: Nourishing Your Body
What is Physical Self Care?
Caring for your body is a fundamental aspect of self care. And it’s the most common one we see.
Remember our stressed out woman from earlier? She was actually practicing physical self care.
Physical self care is the basis of many commercials, beauty ads, and everyday self care practices. It’s the kind of care we’re shown in the media most, which is why it’s often what we think of first.
Our fictional woman was taking her bubble bath to soothe the muscle tension her emotional anxiety created.
But it did more than that.
That bath gave her body a chance to rest.
It helped her muscles release tension.
And it signaled to her nervous system that she was safe enough to relax.
That’s physical self care.
She relieved a symptom… but she still needed emotional self care too. See how layering self care can create a more supportive self care plan?
Physical self care helps improve your sleep quality, your physical fitness, and provides essential nutrition and care for your body.
At its core, physical self care is the act of providing your body with rest, nourishment, and support… in whatever state it’s in.
WLM
Why Physical Self Care Matters
Your body feels everything.
Stress doesn’t just stay in your thoughts… it shows up physically.
Tight shoulders.
Poor sleep.
Low energy.
Restlessness that won’t settle.
That’s your body holding onto what your mind is experiencing.
Physical self care gives your body a way to respond. It helps release tension, restore energy, and bring your nervous system out of that constant “on edge” feeling.
And while it can absolutely soothe symptoms in a real, noticeable way… it works best when it’s paired with the other types of self care too.
Because your body might be holding the stress…
But it’s not always where it started.
Signs You Might Need Physical Self Care
You may need more physical self care if you:
- feel physically tense or sore without a clear reason
- have trouble falling or staying asleep
- feel constantly tired or low on energy
- experience headaches, body aches, or tightness
- feel restless or uncomfortable in your body
- skip meals or struggle with consistent nutrition
- feel disconnected from your body or its needs
- notice your anxiety showing up as physical symptoms
Simple Ways to Start Physical Self Care
Physical self care supports your body through consistent, everyday care.
- Go to the doctor for regular checkups and when something feels off
- Fuel your body with proper nutrition that supports your energy
- Prioritize sleep and create routines that help you rest
- Practice daily habits that support your overall health
- Use beauty treatments as a way to care for your body and boost confidence
- Take a bath or shower to soothe soreness and support hygiene
- Move your body in ways that feel good, like stretching, walking, or going to the gym
- Spend time outside, like walking in nature, to reduce stress and support your health
Physical self care isn’t about fixing your body. It’s about supporting it… so it can support you.
RECOMMENDED READING: If you want to build simple habits that support both your body and your mind, read 20 Healthy Mindset Habits You Need to Improve Your Anxiety.
Try These 3 Types of Self Care This Weekend
You’ve just learned the foundations of mental, emotional, and physical self care.
If you’re ready to try it for yourself, the Long Weekend Reset gives you a simple place to begin.
Inside, you’ll find:
- a deeper look at each self care type
- guided prompts to help you start practicing
- journal questions to help you reflect and process
It’s not about doing everything perfectly.
It’s just a few days to slow down and start figuring out what actually supports you.
Environmental Self Care: Creating a Supportive Space
What is Environmental Self Care?
Your environment impacts your well being more than you think.
Studies have shown that even picturing peaceful places can help ease pain, soothe stress, and improve mental health.
Seriously, when you’re dreaming of calming vacation spots, you’re picturing places that inspire, that calm, that sing to your soul, right?
That feeling matters.
Environmental self care is about creating a space that doesn’t just feel peaceful… it supports what you need from it.
WLM
A space that helps you focus when you need clarity, rest when you need quiet, and feel inspired when you’re creating.
The goal of environmental self care isn’t just relaxation. It’s support.
For example, a calm space might help you rest… but if you’re a writer like me, you also need a space that inspires you to create. So you create a soothing bedroom, and an inspiring office/workspace.
The goal isn’t just relaxation. It’s support for who you are.
It’s about making thoughtful, intentional choices in your environment so your space works for you, not against you.
Why Environmental Self Care Matters
Your environment is always sending signals to your body.
Clutter, noise, and visual chaos can quietly keep your nervous system on edge. Even without you realizing it.
Supportive spaces help your nervous system take a breath.
They help settle your body. They help focus your mind. They make it easier to show up as yourself.
Environmental self care reduces overstimulation, improves focus, and creates a sense of calm that supports everything else you’re working on.
When your space supports you, everything else becomes easier to manage.
Signs You Might Need Environmental Self Care
You may need environmental self care if you:
- feel overwhelmed or irritated in your own space
- have trouble focusing or settling down at home
- feel stressed by clutter, noise, and visual mess
- avoid certain areas of your home because they feel chaotic
- feel like your space doesn’t match how you want to feel
- feel overstimulated by screens, notifications, or constant input
- feel unproductive in places of work or creativity
- your spaces no longer reflect who you are or want to be
Simple Ways to Start Environmental Self Care
Environmental self care is about creating a space that supports you, not drains you.
- De-clutter and organize your space so it feels easier to be in
- Choosing calming colors that match the mood you want to create
- Create a workspace that helps you focus and think clearly
- Add plants to bring life and calm into your environment
- Use aromatherapy to support your mood and senses
- Practice a digital detox to reduce overstimulation
- Create a small personal space where you feel comfortable and at ease
- Build an inspirational Pinterest board that reflects how you want your space and life to feel
Environmental self care isn’t about Pinterest perfect spaces. It’s about creating a space that actually supports your life.
RECOMMENDED READING: If you’re craving a calmer space but can’t change your environment right now, a self care vacation is a simple way to reset. Read Self Care Vacation: 10 Simple Steps to Plan Your Retreat can help you learn how to plan your own getaway.
Social Self Care: Nurturing Connections & Relationships
What is Social Self Care?
Social self care is all about nurturing your relationships and creating meaningful connections.
There is a saying: it takes a village.
And when you are living with anxiety, having a village (support system) matters even more.
Social self care is the act of connecting with people who uplift and inspire you… not ones who leave you questioning your worth.
WLM
Because the people around you shape how you see yourself more than you think.
It’s not about having a huge circle. It’s about having the RIGHT circle.
The people who remind you just how special you are, and who you feel safe leaning on when you need support.
Why Social Self Care Matters
Anxiety makes you feel isolated.
It can make you pull back, stay quiet, or feel like no one really understands what’s going on inside your head.
But the right connections change that.
When you reach out to people you trust, you create space for support, comfort, and perspective.
Your relationships have the power to:
- help you feel more grounded
- remind you who you are outside your anxiety
- bring moments of joy into your life
- inspire you to go after your goals and dreams
- help you be confident in being your authentic self
Social self care isn’t just about being around people.
It’s about feeling seen, supported, and connected as your authentic self.
Signs You Might Need Social Self Care
You may need more social self care if you:
- feel isolated or disconnected from others
- avoid reaching out, even when you want support
- feel like you’re carrying everything on your own
- struggle to open up about how you’re feeling
- feel lonely, even when you’re around other people
- find yourself withdrawing more than usual
Simple Ways to Start Social Self Care
Social self care is about creating moments of connection that feel real and supportive.
- Reach out to your support system when you’re anxious or overwhelmed
- Plan regular time together, like date nights or weekly check ins
- Have lunch with a friend to catch up
- Spend holidays with people who feel safe and meaningful to you
- Plan a game night and enjoy time laughing together
- Call family and friends instead of texting when you can
- Seek therapy to learn healthier communication skills
Social self care doesn’t have to be big or complicated.
Sometimes it’s just choosing connection in small ways that remind you you’re not alone.
RECOMMENEDED READING: If you’re in a relationship and want to stay connected without losing yourself, you might enjoy 10 Rules for a Happy Marriage That Kept Us Madly in Love Long Term.
Recreational Self Care: Finding Joy in Leisure
What is Recreational Self Care?
Recreational Self care is one of my all time favorite types of self care.
There is something special about giving yourself time to explore what you enjoy, just because you enjoy it.
We don’t do that enough.
Our downtime isn’t just “extra time. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself and explore your interests and passions.
it’s where you discover what you like, what brings you joy, and what makes ou feel like you again.
Recreational self care is the act of making space for joyful activity. Not because you’ve earned it, but because you need it.
WLM
Recreational self care is about being present in the moment and allowing yourself to enjoy something simple, fun, or meaningful.
It’s not about productivity. It’s not about checking something off a list.
It’s about giving yourself permission to enjoy your life.
Why Recreational Self Care Matters
When you’re living with anxiety, joy can start to feel like an afterthought.
You get stuck in:
- responsibilities
- overthinking
- survival mode
And somewhere along the way, you stop doing things just because they make you happy. And start doing things you think you should be doing.
Recreational self care brings joy and freedom back to your life.
It helps you:
- reconnect with what you enjoy
- give your mind a break from constant thinking and pressure
- experience moments of lightness again
- allow your inner self to explore new experiences
Joy isn’t extra. It’s part of feeling like yourself.
Signs You Might Need Recreational Self Care
You may need recreational self care if you:
- feel like all you do is work or manage responsibilities
- struggle to remember what you enjoy
- feel mentally drained or stuck in your thoughts
- don’t take time for yourself without guilt
- feel like life has become more routine than enjoyable
Simple Ways to Start Recreational Self Care
Recreational self care is about giving yourself to enjoy life again.
- spend time on hobbies that help you relax or feel creative
- take intentional alone time to unwind and reset
- go on small adventures, even if it’s something simple and local
- play and laugh with your kids, friends, or family because you enjoy group activities
- explore creative outlets like writing, drawing, or crafting
Recreational self care doesn’t have to be big to make a difference.
Sometimes it’s just choosing an activity that makes you smile.
RECOMMENDED READING: If you need ideas to bring more joy and calm into your life, you might also enjoy 25 Go-To Stress-Relieving Hobbies for Anxiety (Ideas That Actually Help)
Spiritual Self Care: Nourishing Your Soul
What is Spiritual Self Care?
Spiritual self care is about nurturing your connection with your inner self, your beliefs, and what truly matters to you.
It’s where you start asking deeper questions.
What do I believe?
What do I value?
What kind of life do I actually want to live?
Spiritual self care is not about being perfect or having all the answers.
It’s about exploring who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to show up in your life.
Spiritual self care is the act of exploring your values, honoring your beliefs, and allowing yourself to live in alignment with whom you truly are. It’s a process of self-discovery and expression.
WLM
It’s where you begin to feel more grounded in yourself. Not because you have everything figured out, but because you are learning to trust what feels right for you.
Spiritual self care helps you find purpose, create meaning, and feel more connected to your life in a way that feels authentic.
Why Spiritual Self Care Matters
When you’re disconnected from your values and beliefs life can start to feel confusing or empty.
You may feel:
- unsure of your direction
- disconnected from yourself
- like you’re going through the motions without meaning
Spiritual self care bring your back to yourself.
It helps you:
- understand what matters most to you
- make decisions that feel aligned
- and create a life that feels meaningful, not just manageable
It’s not about becoming someone new. It’s about becoming more you.
Signs You Might Need Spiritual Self Care
You may need more spiritual self care if you:
- feel unsure about your purpose or direction
- feel disconnected from your values or beliefs
- struggle to make decisions that feel right for you
- feel like you’re living based on expectations of others instead of your own desires
- feel unfulfilled, evenwwhen things seem fine on the surface
- feel like you don’t know yourself
Simple Ways to Start Spiritual Self Care
Spiritual self care is about exploring and expressing what matters to you.
- engage in practices that align with your beliefs and values
- spend time in quiet reflection or meditation
- pray or connect with your faith, if that feels right for you
- volunteer or support causes that reflect what you care about
- explore what brings you purpose, meaning, and fulfillment
- allow yourself to express your authentic self without holding back
- ask yourself hard questions to get to know your inner self
- allowing your anxiety to make choices for you
Spiritual self care isn’t about following someone else’s path. It’s about discovering your own.
Recommended Reading: If you’ve been feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from yourself, you might also enjoy Why Do I Feel Empty When Nothing Is Actually Wrong?
Using the 7 Types of Self Care Together
Self care isn’t just one thing.
It’s not just a bubble bath, journaling, or taking a day off.
It’s a combination of different types of support that work together to help you feel like yourself again.
Mental.
Emotional.
Physical.
Environmental.
Social.
Recreational.
Spiritual.
Each one supports a different part of you.
And when one area is being ignored, it can leave you feeling off. Like something isn’t quite working, even if you can’t explain why.
That’s why understanding self care types matters.
Because instead of guessing what you need, you can see it clearly.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: your nervous system is always paying attention.
When one part of your life feels unsupported, your body stays on edge.
But when your self care is more balanced…
When your mind feels supported
When your body feels cared for
When your environment feels safe
When your relationships feel steady
Your nervous system starts to recognize: I’m okay here.
And that’s when things begin to shift.
That’s when you can finally start to let go of tension, overthinking, and that constant on edge feeling.
Balancing your self care isn’t about getting the perfect routine.
It’s about giving your body enough support in enough areas so that it no longer feels like it has to stay in survival mode.
That’s how you start to feel better.
You’re not broken. You’ve just been trying to take care of yourself without the support type you really needed.
Ready to Start Practicing The Self Care Types?
If you’re ready to start exploring what support actually looks like for you, the Long Weekend Reset gives you a simple place to begin.
It walks you through mental, emotional, and physical self care with guided prompts and reflection, so you’re not trying to figure it all out on your own.
Start your free reset here:
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You are right- I should incorporate the seven types of self care into my routine, Missing on one, but working on it. Thanks for this reminder.
I love this!—it made me pause and really think about the areas of self-care I’ve been skipping. I’ve been good about physical care, like skincare and staying active, but completely ignoring emotional and spiritual care. This was the gentle push I needed to check in with myself on a deeper level.
This is such a thoughtful and practical guide! I really appreciate how you broke self-care down into different types. It’s a great reminder that managing anxiety requires more than just bubble baths, I know from personal experience.
I’ve had anxiety since I was 12 years old and this was such a helpful post. I love that you broke self-care down into different types, and the reminder that emotional and spiritual care matter just as much really hit home. Thank you for this gentle, practical guide.
Environmental self-care is such a good one! Will be adding this to my self-care routine 🙂
Thank you for including these great self care tips. Mental health is important to selfcare.
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
So many good tips. Thank you for the great article
I must admit that I have not been so great lately at keeping up with my self-care, and it’s definitely had an impact on my anxiety. This was so great to read as I feel I have a few steps I can take to get back on track — thanks for sharing this!