If you’re operating in autopilot mode (gym, work, dinner, sleep—repeat), it’s easy to overlook what’s actually making you feel good. Investing in your physical and mental well-being requires a lot of conscious thought, according to clinical psychologist and author Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D.
“Research continues to show that self-care activities such as gardening, walking, bicycling, and leisure experiences surely contribute to overall well-being,” says Dr. Manly. “From boosting mood to improving long-term health, the benefits of solid self-care are both profound and lasting.”
The upside? There are so many ways to invest in yourself. The downside? The abundance of options can make it difficult to decide what will make you feel your best. To remedy this conundrum, Dr. Manly says you can focus on adding one or two activities that cover the four well-being “pillars” below.
The 4 pillars of investing in yourself
“The pillars of well-being include psychological health, physical health, spiritual health, and financial health,” says Dr. Manly. Generally speaking, you can feel assured in your well-being practices if you have one or more practices in each of these four areas, so here’s the 411 on each pillar.
1. Psychological Health
“In the realm of psychological health, the two core aspects—emotional health and mental health—are critical for being able to navigate the world in productive, satisfying ways,” says Dr. Manly. “When we’re struggling emotionally or mentally, we often feel stuck, stressed, or dissatisfied.” Tapping into emotional and mental health care will help us show up for our family, friends, and self authentically, she adds.
Therapy, meditation, and spending quality time with people you love are all ways to fulfill this particular pillar of health, so evaluate what feels good to you and make it happen.
2. Physical Health
If you’re here, you already know that looking after your physical health via exercise is a surefire way to improve your mental health, decrease your chances of developing heart disease, improve your balance, boost your strength, and the list goes on (and on).
“Our physical health is also key to our overall well-being in the short and long term,” says Dr. Manly. “When we take care of our physical health, we tend to feel better in our own skin. As a result, our psychological health certainly benefits when we mindfully tend to our bodies by exercising regularly, engaging in good sleep hygiene, eating healthfully, and getting medical check-ups as needed.”
So whether you love to pump iron, jump into the pool, or go for a nice, long run, know that you’re looking after yourself with every breath.
3. Spiritual Health
“No matter one’s personal beliefs or ‘higher power,’ overall well-being is boosted by maintaining a solid connection to one’s spiritual health. And, for many, solid attention to the realm of spiritual health has a significant impact on both psychological health and physical health,” says Dr. Manly.
For you, maintaining spiritual health may revolve around a consistent practice (like going to church every Sunday) or something simpler (like spending time in nature or reading philosophy).
4. Financial Health
Unsurprisingly, financial security is yet another cornerstone of well-being, according to Dr. Manly. “Financial wellbeing—even for those who are not oriented toward obtaining financial wealth—contributes to both psychological and physical heath,” she explains. “When we know that we have solid financial health, or sufficient funds to tend to the basics in life such as food, clothing, medical care, and shelter, we tend to feel far less stressed and satisfied in life.”
No two people have the same relationship with money, so you’ll have to do some soul-searching to learn what fulfilling this pillar will look like for you. For example, maybe it means having a hefty safety fund and a plan to retire early.
How long to test drive your new well-being practices before committing
So, let’s say you start meditating today, and you’re not sure how long of a trial period to give the practice before working it into your permanent rotation. “The benefits of solid self-care practices accrue over time,” explains Dr. Manly. “Although we might feel the benefits of good self-care immediately—such the deep relaxation that comes with a luscious massage—it’s the ongoing, daily practice of solid self-care that allows us to feel our best every day.”
If weeks or months pass, and you’re just not seeing those benefits add up, meditation or [insert self-care practice here] may not be right for you—and that’s 100 percent okay. “What’s right for one person may not be right for you. Envision self-care as a smorgasbord, and allow yourself to taste—and then embrace—strategies that you want to incorporate into a long-term regimen,” says Dr. Manly.