• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Cycles
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Online Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Online Therapists
    • Grief Counselors
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
    • Session Login
Skip to content

11 Ways to Practice Emotional Self Care

Published: October 4, 2021 Updated: May 10, 2022
Published: 10/04/2021 Updated: 05/10/2022
Headshot of Michelle Risser, LISW-S
Written by:

Michelle Risser

LISW-S
Headshot of Kristen Fuller MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Emotional Self Care?What It Is
  • Turn Your Attention Towards Your Body1.
  • Ask for Help Before You Need It2.
  • Practice Mindfulness3.
  • Consciously Choose How to Respond4.
  • Limit Exposure to News5.
  • Stay Connected to Others6.
  • Practice Gratitude7.
  • Try a Meditation App8.
  • Move Your Body9.
  • Laugh!10.
  • Take Up a Relaxing Hobby11.
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Practice Emotional Self Care InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Michelle Risser, LISW-S
Written by:

Michelle Risser

LISW-S
Headshot of Kristen Fuller MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD

Emotional self-care is the act of nurturing and tending to your inner feelings and emotions. In today’s stressful world, caring for your whole self, including your emotional life, is more important than ever! Nurturing your emotions and processing any frequent negative emotions can help you decrease stress, calm your nervous system, cope with tough situations, and boost your mood.

What Is Emotional Self Care?

Bubble baths, manicures and massages might be the first things that come to mind when you think about self care, and there is an entire industry devoted to selling us products for this reason. But to truly care for yourself means nurturing your whole self, including your inner life and emotions.

Genardra Pugh, LCPC“Emotional self-care is important because just like we take care of our physical and our mental health, we need to take care of our emotions,” says Genarda Pugh, LCPC. “When we take care of our emotions, we allow ourselves to be be able to honor our feelings as they play an important part in who were and how we perceive the world and what’s going on in and around us. Emotions can guide how we behave and respond to people, situations, and events. Lastly, when we practice emotional self-care it allows us to be better be able to emotionally regulate and have improved self-control.”

Emotional Self Care Examples

It can be really hard to picture what emotional self care might look like. Here are some examples:

  • Practicing mindfulness
  • Journaling
  • Setting boundaries
  • Talking things through with a supportive friend

“Be mindful of your mood and behaviors (kind of like taking your emotional “temperature” regularly) to assess for changes,” says Richelle Concepcion, PsyD, MPH, of Tripler Medical Center. “When you note those changes like your mood starting to decline or feeling down, try todentify and practice activities that boost mood such as mindfulness activities like breathing, physical activity, spending time with loved ones, hobbies, listening to music, being in nature or getting outside.”

Here are 11 emotional self care activities to try:

1. Turn Your Attention Towards Your Body

Before you can really tend to your emotions, you need to be aware of them! A great way to do this is by tuning in to your body. Notice the physical sensations that emotions bring up. Does this emotion have a temperature? A texture? A shape? Is it closed or open? Does it feel energizing or draining?

2. Ask for Help Before You Need It

This is known as the “Pre-Ask.”1 Whether you are close to needing space, support, or a place to vent, asking for help before you need it allows those who you’re asking the time to get ready and be more present when they assist you.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is simply the act of noticing the present moment, without judgment. Try sitting with your emotions and simply breathing. Your emotions aren’t good or bad, right or wrong, they just are. Part of emotional self care is simply allowing your emotions to exist.

4. Consciously Choose How to Respond

While we cannot choose what happens to us, we do get to choose how we respond to those circumstances. Whether you’re dealing with cancer, a pandemic, or a screaming toddler, you have the choice to take a deep breath, respond with kindness to yourself and others, and find ways to maintain hope and peace.2

5. Limit Exposure to News

The CDC recommends limiting the amount of news media we watch, read, or listen to, especially during difficult times. Take regular breaks from the news to enjoy healthy, fun activities.3

6. Stay Connected to Others

Strong, supportive relationships help us stay resilient and emotionally healthy. During isolating times like these, it’s more important than ever to reach out and to stay connected.4

7. Practice Gratitude

Shifting our focus from what is going wrong to what is going well is a great way to practice emotional self care. Expressing gratitude as part of a daily routine can improve your mood and decrease stress.5

8. Try a Meditation App

There are many great meditation apps on the market today that offer timers with nice sounds, guided meditations, and other courses. This can be a great way to start your day, take a stress break, or fall asleep. Insight Timer and Headspace are two great ones to try.

9. Move Your Body

It’s a well known fact that exercise not only benefits your body, but your mind as well. For many, exercise is a great supplement to therapy and/or medications for boosting your mood.6 Find a type of movement that you like to do and have fun with it; you’ll be a lot more likely to stick to it that way.

10. Laugh!

Spend time with friends who make you laugh or go ahead and binge that funny show. Laughter is shown to decrease stress and improve your mood. It even has positive effects on the immune system.7 Emotional self care is important, but that doesn’t mean it has to be serious!

11. Take Up a Relaxing Hobby

Are you a knitter, crocheter, or guitarist? Do you love photography or bird watching? What about that hobby you used to love that you’ve let go of? Focusing your attention on a relaxing, fun hobby is a great way to de-stress and quiet your mind. If there is anything you have always wanted to learn to do, now is a great time to try it!

Final Thoughts

Your emotional self care deserves just as much attention as your physical health. Try to add at least one emotional self-care activity to your routine every day and notice the difference. You deserve to take great care of yourself.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp Online Therapy – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Talkspace Online Therapy – Online therapy is convenient with Talkspace. Get therapy for as little as $69 per week, or potentially much less if you have insurance from Cigna, Optum, or UHR. Try Talkspace

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Mindfulness & Meditation App – Headspace is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Try Headspace

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • The American Institute of Stress
  • NIMH, Caring For Your Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov

Practice Emotional Self Care Infographics

Ways to Practice Emotional Self Care What is Emotional Self Care Examples of Emotional Self Care

Emotional Self Care Activites to Try Emotional Self Care Activites to Try 2 Emotional Self Care Just As Important as Physical Health

7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Mindful.org Staff. A Guide to Practicing Self Care With Mindfulness. Mindful. https://www.mindful.org/a-guide-to-practicing-self-care-with-mindfulness/

  • Mesnikoff, Nathan (2020, May 4). How to practice emotional self care. UC Health. https://www.uchealth.org/today/how-to-practice-emotional-self-care/

  • CDC (2019, Sept 13). Taking care of your emotional health. CDC. https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp

  • NAMI California. Ways to stay connected during the Covid 19 crisis. Crisis Support. https://namica.org/blog/ways-to-stay-connected-during-the-covid-19-crisis/

  • Weeks, Jennifer. (2021, March 11). Emotional Self Care in 2021. Student Well-Being. https://wellbeing.jhu.edu/emotional-self-in-2021/

  • Cooney, et al. (2013, Sept 12).  Exercise for depression. PubMed.gov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24026850/

  • Mayo Clinic Staff.  Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke. Stress Management. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

Recent Articles

How to Apologize to Someone
How to Apologize: 7 Tips for a Sincere ApologyWe all make mistakes and hurt people we love from time to time, and oftentimes, most of us feel more
';
How to Calm Anxiety
How to Calm Anxiety: 21 Tips From a TherapistThe effort to calm your anxiety can take many forms, but it often involves learning ways to relax your more
';
Best Yoga Books for 2022
Best Yoga Books for Rest, Relaxation, and Mobility for 2022Whether you’re a practiced yogi or looking to start on a fresh mat, here are 10 yoga books for more
';
FT_What_to_Say_to_Someone_Who_is_Depressed
What to Say to Someone Who Is DepressedThe best way to respond to someone who is struggling with depression is with support and openness. Depression is more
';
FT_Why_Am_I_So_Lonely
Why am I so Lonely? Causes & What to DoLoneliness is a common feeling everyone experiences at some point in their life. Feeling lonely can be a hard more
';
FT_How_to_Get_Motivated
How to Get Motivated: 17 TipsWhen you can't find motivation, it can cause problems in every area of your life. Fortunately though, you can more
';
Headshot of Michelle Risser, LISW-S
Written by:

Michelle Risser

LISW-S
Headshot of Kristen Fuller MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Emotional Self Care?What It Is
  • Turn Your Attention Towards Your Body1.
  • Ask for Help Before You Need It2.
  • Practice Mindfulness3.
  • Consciously Choose How to Respond4.
  • Limit Exposure to News5.
  • Stay Connected to Others6.
  • Practice Gratitude7.
  • Try a Meditation App8.
  • Move Your Body9.
  • Laugh!10.
  • Take Up a Relaxing Hobby11.
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Practice Emotional Self Care InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Hotlines here
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept