Quadrants of Self Care

This article will speak on the Four Quadrants of Self-Care, and yes, there are four main Quadrants of Self-Care, which are mind (mental), Physical (body), Emotional (heart), and Spiritual (soul).

The four quadrants of wellness: spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical function in unison; however, they differ in vibrational frequency, and most individuals focus only on the physical, but what happens in one Quadrant affects what goes on in the others.

Mind: Mental and Psychological

Mental wellness is when an individual can acknowledge their abilities and easily manage stress, be productive, and contribute to society. The human mind is man's advantage and asset. However, it can also be our greatest hindrance. The thoughts that we have in our minds are a part of our identity. Our thoughts can enter like ripples in the water, making our thoughts vulnerable for others to intercept them. There are different ways to promote a healthy mind, including but not limited to;

1. Reading a good book or seeing an intellectually stimulating movie.
2. Learn a new hobby or skill.
3. Sign up for a class, group, or workshop on a topic that is interesting to you.
4. Challenge yourself within your community or at work to learn something new.

Physical: The Body

The third Quadrant is Physical or what we know as body. This Quadrant means balancing physical activities and nutrition for an elite performance level. Many of us favor getting away with the minimal possible to balance physical fitness with life.

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't permit you to avoid doctors because they provide a critical service for humanity, and attempting to function without them is an error. However, living a healthy lifestyle can help, but that approach doesn't do the job. Committing to your future self is what's going to help.

Physical wellness promotes proper care of our bodies for optimal health and functioning. There are many elements of physical wellness that we must care for simultaneously. This Quadrant means balancing physical activities and nutrition for an elite performance level. It also includes vitamins and sufficient rest. Those may include but are not limited to;

1. Being kind and loving to your body means appreciating your body.
2. Nourish your body by eating healthy and energizing foods that make you feel great.
3. Get enough sleep and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
4. Exercise to replenish your energy and manage stress.

Emotion: What we know as heart.

Emotional wellness involves being attentive to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, whether positive or negative. Emotional wellness is awareness and acceptance of our emotions rather than denying them. Positive emotions are crucial for facing the many challenges we will continue to face, but we must also have an optimistic approach to life, in conjunction with the occasional disappointments.

Emotional maturity isn't a daily subject for some. However, it's vital for personal health. There are many ways to contribute to your emotional health, and are not limited to;

1. Have a heart-to-heart with a close friend or mentor.
2. Ditch self-criticism/judgmental thinking about your actions and thoughts.
3. Seek support from a therapist, coach, social worker, peer, or counselor.
4. Journal – Write down your feelings and thoughts.
5. Go on a fun date with your partner or organize a monthly moms' night out.

Spiritual Care

The fourth and final Quadrant is Spiritual Care or, as we know it, Soul. We are spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. That said, spiritual beings are full of vim, passion, and vitality. Spiritual practices are personal choices that involve having values for our moral compass.

Regardless of what religion you inherited, it would be best if you chose your practice. Personal experiences with various religions have left many people feeling disenchanted. Most individuals have discovered walking in nature is healthier for spiritual consciousness, which can also include;

1. Take time to be by yourself to think or write.
2. Take a walk in a park or out in nature.
3. Meditate, pray, or reflect on what you're grateful for.
4. Do something creative: paint, draw, write, dance, or sing.
5. Volunteer for a cause you're passionate about.

The best way to deal with the quadrants is to begin by choosing one of the four areas of self-care to focus on over the next 90 days. Please list specific things you can do daily or weekly that will help you prioritize your self-care and then commit to it. Take baby steps and remember that self-care is not selfish. It is about self-preservation, which means it's Selfless.