Have you ever had a friend complain that you don't care enough? You might be caring for them the wrong way. Learn how to best care for yourself and your loved ones based on their enneagram type.
8 mins read
The act of self-care comprises the things we do to ensure our health and well-being. It's more than just physically taking care of yourself; it’s about doing something that genuinely shows ourselves self-love.
Just like people differ in how they prefer to receive and show love towards others, there are differences in the best self-care strategies for different personalities. What helps one person relax and feel loved may make another person feel totally stressed out.
While we are all unique individuals with different preferences, there are similarities among specific Enneagram personality types.
If you are new to Enneagram types, you can read more about them here.
Not only is self-care essential for your well-being, but it’s also the first step to caring for others.
If you cannot meaningfully care for yourself, chances are you won’t be able to do the same for others. Self-care goes beyond slapping on some robes and sipping wine from a bubble bath. While it may be the ideal self-care for some Enneagram types, yours may just be learning to say “No” and ridding yourself of overwhelming engagements.
This article will look at the nine enneagram types and the best way to carry out self-care.
In addition to information on how to take care of yourself, we’ll also provide tips on giving care to friends and loved ones according to their Enneagram type.
Need to know your enneagram type? Find out with a quick test.
Stress is a part of life. No one can escape it, but that doesn’t mean we must suffer the negative effects. When we practice self-care, we can better cope with life's daily stressors. The result is a healthier and happier state of mind.
Yet, sadly, many of us don’t know how best to take care of ourselves.
We keep going and going… until we are completely burnt out and frazzled. Or we try something we read in an article that touts the “best self-care strategy,” but it does nothing for us. And in some cases, it makes us feel worse.
While this article's primary focus is self-care, many of us have people in our lives that we know are not doing what they need to do to take care of themselves. Unfortunately, when we want to reach out and help them, the advice we give is often based on our preferences. After all, it works for us; it should work for them. Right?
However, what works for you may not be best for your loved ones.
For example, soaking in a warm bubble bath with soft music and dim candles may be just what you need to de-stress at the end of a hectic week. However, a strenuous workout at the gym or a fast game of one-on-one basketball may be the perfect remedy for others.
Understanding Enneagram types and what makes specific personalities tick is an excellent place to start if you want to foster better relationships with yourself and loved ones.
Let’s take a look at self-care tips by Enneagram type. Do note that all the advice we share for caring for others also applies to you if you are that Enneagram.
You will notice your love for structures, rules, and boundaries if you are a Type 1 Perfectionist. You may also find it challenging to accept flaws in yourself and others.
Here are some tips to help Enneagram Type 1 get the best self-care:
If you are friends, partners, or family with a Type 1, here are some tips to show them love and care:
As givers, Type 2s may get caught up in making others feel better while neglecting yourself. The desire to put others first earns this Enneagram type the nicknames of "lover" and "helper." One attribute of the Enneagram Type 2 personality is their genuine love for hosting, gifting, and making sacrifices for others. One attribute of the Enneagram Type 2 personality is their genuine love for hosting, gifting, and making sacrifices for others. However, you will eventually burn out if you don't show yourself love.
Here are some tips to help you practice proper self-care:
Here are some tips for caring for your Type 2 friend or loved one.
As an achiever, you're always chasing the highs and the need to feel accomplished. Sometimes called “The Performer," Enneagram Type 3 people always think they must be busy doing something, performing.
Here are some tips to help the Enneagram Type 3 get the self-care they deserve.
If you are friends with a Type 3, here’s how to offer them the care they may not know they need:
As an Enneagram Type 4 individual, self-care in the conventional sense may come naturally to you. Often called a romantic, you are not scared to embrace and express your emotions. However, when the gloomy days come, you tend to detach yourself from life. The best way to care for yourself is to set emotional boundaries.
Here are some self-care tips to help Type 4s:
If you have an Enneagram 4 friend, here are tips to help you offer adequate care:
As a Type 5 Observer, you are curious about life and constantly consuming information. The best form of self-care is to create a healthy boundary with information.
Here are tips to help Enneagram 5s take better care of themselves:
If you have a Type 5 friend, here’s how to show these curious individuals how much you care:
If you fall under Enneagram Type 6, you may make more calculative than carefree decisions.
Here are some ways to perform self-care based on your personality:
Here are tips to show love to your Type 6 friends:
As someone with an adventurous spirit, sometimes Type 7s have difficulty slowing themselves down and just “being still.”
Here are some ways Enneagram 7s can care for themselves:
If you have an Enneagram Type 7 friend, here are some tips to show them care:
As someone with the Enneagram Type 8 personality, you always love being at the forefront of a good cause. You are known for being a leader but may not take the lead in caring for yourself.
Here are some tips to help you practice self-care if you are Type 8:
As a friend with an Enneagram Type 8, here are tips to show them care:
As a Type 9 individual, you will find yourself being empathetic towards those around you. Your tendency towards being the mediator or peacemaker can cause you to put the needs of others before your own.
Here’s how to maintain balance and care for yourself if you are Enneagram Type 9:
Here’s how to care for and show love to an Enneagram Type 9 friend:
Burnout syndrome among caring professionals such as teachers, therapists, healthcare professionals, nurses, and doctors is rising. Caregiving takes a lot out of us, especially if we don’t take care of ourselves.
But it is not just these professions that need to implement self-care practices.
Every one of us can benefit from taking better care of our health and well-being.
Not just for ourselves but for the loved ones in our lives! The best relationships are the ones where stronger, deeper connections are formed by learning about each other’s personalities. That friend or sibling may not be so difficult once you understand why they act the way they do.
But it starts with you!
When you better understand your personality and needs, you can better understand and help others!
Want to learn more about self-care and self-love? We have lots of great resources in our free members’ area!
Content Writer
Published 7 February 2023