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Hi, everyone, it is Alia! As we recently began a new year, I decided to share several self-care oriented activities that can be imparted into your 2021 aspirations and resolutions!

Recently, I finished reading 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,' written by Stephen R. Covey. Within the series, an activity mentioned was 'Sharpen the Saw,' which revolves around the concept of assisting self-benefit, and to care for the four dimensions of our body. Covey utilizes the respective analogy of a woodcutter who was sawing for several days continually, becoming increasingly less productive. The process in which the woodcutter was sharpening the saw dulls the blade, emphasizing that an implemental solution is to periodically sharpen the saw. Similarly, Covey states that sharpening the saw is prominently based upon the concept of taking the time to renew and refresh the four dimensions of ourselves, which are physique, mentality, and sociality, to promote greater efficiency when completing our daily tasks. Inspired by Covey's statement, I would love to share various activities of self-care. However, this list does not include all the activities, and you can add more at your convenience; the list is solely meant to help guide you when creating self-care activities to incorporate into your life!

However, before I begin sharing activities, what is the definition of self-care? Self-care is broad term that encompasses any form of benefit for one's well-being. In regards to modern societal interpretations, self-care refers to actions and attitudes which contribute to the maintenance of well-being and personal health, and promotes human development. In health care, self-care is an essential human regulatory function that is under an individual's control, deliberacy, and self-initiation. A prime example of self-care is when resources begin running low. In order to supply individuals seeking to buy the resource, the company must step back and regroup all of the materials needed to stock the source. Similarly, when the body is running low on energy, a section of the brain, known as the hypothalamus, gears the focus of the body towards sleep, rather that is needed to be performed. Within this area of the brain, neurons send out signals by neurotransmitters, which sends information between neurons by crossing a synapse. This process enables the brain to know that sleep may be mandatory after the arduous hours of work. By performing tasks for an extended period of time further dulling the saw, one may tire oneself, which decreases the level of productivity. Instead of running low on "resources," one must step back and replenish oneself.

Howbeit, it's important to acknowledge that not pleasureful actions taken are considered as self-care. Often, society can all be tempted to use unhealthy coping mechanisms, including drugs. These self-destructive activities help us to regulate challenging emotions, but the relief is temporary. The difference between unhealthy coping mechanisms and self-care activities is uncontroversially beneficial for you. When practiced correctly continually, self-care has long-term benefit for the mind, the body, or both.

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The first dimension of the body is 'Physical Dimension.' The physical dimension of wellness involves encouraging regular activities that results in endurance, flexibility and strength, as well as an extended knowledge in regards to food and nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. 'Physical Dimension' is the combination of states of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Here is the list of activities you can do to take care of the physical dimension of your body:

Endurance -

→ Walking

→ Running

→ Jogging

→ Skipping Rope

→ Running up & down the Stairs

→ Dancing

→ Sports ( football, basketball, badminton )

→ Circuit Training ( accessible through YouTube )

Flexibility -

→ Yoga

→ Stretching

Strength -

→ Weight Lifting ( items around the house can be used, including bottles )

→ Body Weight Lifting ( pushups, pull-ups, squats, planks, wall sits, lunges, donkey kick, superman, arm circles, crunches, Russian twist, bicycle, and shoulder bridge )

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The second dimension is the 'Spiritual Dimension.' 'Spiritual Dimension' is described as the yearning for meaning, purpose, fulfillment within life, belief, and faith. Here is the list of activities you can do to take care of the spiritual dimension of your mental health:

→ Meditation

→ Reading Poetry ( inspiring books )

→ Reflecting ( actions taken and their tuning with your goals )

→ Lighting a Candle

→ Spend Time in Nature

→ Cleaning the House / Room

→ Visiting Places Like Churches, Temple, Gurdwara or Mosques ( wherever you feel at peace )

→ Listen to Instrumental Music / Lofi Beats

The motive of the spiritual dimension is to give yourself time and space to reflect on yourself and your actions taken.

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The third dimension is the 'Mental Dimension.' 'Mental Dimension' improves one's state of mental health. Mental health includes one's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health  is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Scientifically, the benefits of intentionally practicing the improvement of mental health are a response to chronic stress caused by the epidemic levels across the globe. Here is the list of activities you can do to take care of the mental dimension of your mental health:

→ Reading

→ Journaling

→ Writing

→ Planning ( your future or tasks you have to do )

→ Visualizing ( visualize your future; imagine your perfect lifestyle. This activity with help you in rejuvenating yourself by motivation yourself to strive for the goals )

→ Sit Outdoors

→ Stargazing

→ Watch Sunset & Sunrise

→ Listen to Music

→ Spend Quality Time With Yourself

→ Be a Tourist in your Own City ( look through room / discover old memories )

→ Spend Some Time in Nature

→ Art

→ Go for a Memory Walk ( look at old images of family and yourself )

→ Try a New Activities ( puzzles, crossword puzzles, sudoku, scrabble, word search, jumbled letters )

→ Read a New Topic ( choose a topic about which you don't usually read about )

→ Educate Yourself

Remember, mental dimension is like mental exercises for your brain.

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The last dimension is 'Social/Emotional Dimension.' 'Social/Emotional Dimension' incorporates the involvement of individuals you admire. Here is the list of activities you can do to take care of the social / emotional dimension of your mental health:

→ Spend Time With Family members ( spend quality time with your parents, partner and / or siblings. This activity will improve a better relationship with family )

→ Call a Friend ( call a friend with whom you haven't had a good talk for a long time. Talk with them, laugh at old memories, and plan to make some new memories with them )

→ Give Attention to Little Things ( remember, in a relationship it's the little things that emphasize the importance of the friendship: help your loved ones in need, take care of them, and express love with your actions )

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I really hoped you enjoyed the post, and these self-care activities can be implemented into your improvements of your four dimensions! If there are any concerns, please reach out to me via stronggirlsclub and / or -inevitable_love! Thank you so much for taking your time to read this! Let me know what you guys think in the comments!

All my love,

Alia xx