What the Heck is Holistic Self Care?

What the What?

You’ve probably heard the term holistic. And you’ve probably heard the term self-care. But what the heck is holistic self-care? You may not even know where to start with this one. So let’s look at what it is and what it isn’t.

Let's Start With Self-Care...

First let’s tackle a question that comes up all the time. Is it self care or self-care? Technically it is self-care, with a  hyphen. But oftentimes people leave it out. You may even see it on here spelled that way occasionally. This isn’t something worth losing sleep over so I don’t knit pick over this one. Lol

Another question that comes up is if self-care is comprised of facials, manis and pedis, and other potentially superficial acts. While these may be part of one’s self-care, the total picture is so much more than just that!

According to the Global Self-Care Federation, a prominent international organization dedicated to advancing and promoting the concept of self-care as a fundamental component of healthcare worldwide,

"Self-care is the practice of individuals looking after their own health using the knowledge and information available to them. It is a decision making process that empowers individuals to look after their own health efficiently and conveniently, in collaboration with health and social care professionals as needed."

But it is typically considered to be more than just being healthy. Self-care also encompasses wellness (not the same as being healthy and including mental health) and happiness. We will look briefly at what that means in a minute.

 Self-care is NOT self-indulgence, selfish, putting yourself first, or necessarily time-consuming. It is also NOT just providing normal (bare minimum) hygiene and daily activities. It is taking care of yourself to replenish yourself so you can take care of others. But not only do you NEED self-care, you DESERVE it. No one deserves “not enough” to be fully, functionally happy and healthy.   

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.”

Katie Reed

Now what Does Holistic Mean?

The definition of holistic means addressing the whole rather than compartmentalizing something or, as in this case, someone. All parts work together and need to be addressed to be a well-functioning person. In the self-care realm, those parts include aspects of physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, and personal wellness. I have also seen some people include intellectual, financial, and vocational wellness in the self-care world but I include those under the umbrella of personal wellness.

We may address the different aspects separately at times, but ALL of them need to be “working properly” to have a whole, healthy, happy, well person. And we will address all areas on this blog. Because they all are part of having an optimal mind, body, and soul. And that pretty much sums up (on a very simplified level) the reason to practice holistic self-care.

The mind encompasses mental, and emotional wellness. The body includes physical, and environmental wellness. And the soul includes spiritual and social wellness. Oh, and I didn’t forget personal wellness. It falls under all three, as well as some crossover with all categories on a smaller level.

And back to that question about what wellness means. It means that one is THRIVING, not just surviving. It means being healthy AND happy. In every area.

So Holistic Self-Care is...

Holistic self-care is all-inclusive and all-encompassing self-care. It means taking care of ourselves but not over-indulging ourselves. It means having an optimal mind, body, and soul so we can present our best selves to the world and better take care of others. And everyone needs and deserves holistic self-care.