In need of some self care, enneagram 8? Read this blog for our guide to self care for the enneagram type 8 so you can find your zen again!
Enneagram 8 Overview
The enneagram type eight is called The Challenger. Your core desire is to challenge and intensity.
Common traits of an 8 are…
- Bold
- Aggressive
- Passionate
- Intense
- Focused
- Argumentative
- Capable
- Assertive
As a 8, your core desire comes from the fear that you will be harmed if you show weakness, emotions, or any other form of vulnerability. Releasing control and expressing your feelings doesn’t come naturally to you.
A Stressed Enneagram 8…
In stress, the enneagram 8 takes on the negative traits of The Investigator. The normally bold and brave type 8 becomes withdrawn and reserved.
They take less action and become focused on attaining more information that they seemingly don’t need whether it’s about their field of work, cryptocurrencies, or the best places to go on their vacation even if they already decided on where they are going.
Another unknown sign of a 8 in stress can be over-protectiveness and self sacrificing, taking on the unhealthy aspects of the Enneagram 2!
Follow Us On Pinterest For Enneagram 8 Content!
What An Enneagram 8 Needs For Self Care.
So what do enneagram 8s need when it comes to self care?
First, a 8 needs to fulfill their core desire of intensity by doing things that make them challenge themselves physically and mentally. This could be going mountain biking, mind puzzles, or working out.
But the enneagram 8 also needs to embrace both their wings for their self care too. Self care for the enneagram 8s 7 wing means having fun/newness and finding peace and harmony for their 9 wing.
And to complete their self care practice, an enneagram 8 needs to embrace the heathy traits of their growth numbers.
Finding time to take care of themselves and open their heart chakra (,embracing the enneagram 2,) and withdrawing into their mind (taking on the enneagram 5) is extremely important for the enneagram 8s self care.
Not sure if you tested right? Take our free enneagram test to compare 👇
Self Care For Enneagram 8s
So without further ado, here’s our enneagram 8 self care guide!
1. Foam Roll/Myofascial Release
Type 8s know they need rest but they only do it when it’s convenient. Get a foam roller to practice self care. Another option is to do myofascial release, a self-massaging technique where you roll your muscles on a tennis ball.
Get this amazing Foam Roller we use all the time!
2. Sleep In
I know 8s, “you want me to sleep in!? Do you know how inefficient that is!” Sleep isn’t always the answer to more revitalization but 8s, for your self care, see if you can allow yourself to catch up on sleep every once in a while. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.
Follow us over on Pinterest for enneagram 8 content and more!
3. Vulnerability
Every enneagram type needs to practice emotional vulnerability, especially 8s. Make it part of your self care practice to be emotionally vulnerable with someone you trust. If that feels like a daunting task for you, just dedicate a set amount of time each day to notice what you are feeling and being vulnerable with yourself.
Check out this idea pin to find out more on heart chakra healing.
4. Heart Chakra Healing
Enneagram 8s generally struggle with a blocked heart chakra, they feel it’s unsafe to love, forgive, nurture, and be compassionate because they were taught “vulnerability is weakness.” Heart chakra healing is extremely beneficial for this enneagram type.
Find out more about a blocked heart chakra here.
5. Cancel Plans That Don’t Serve You
What’s on your plate right now that doesn’t need to be, enneagram 8? Cancel plans that aren’t serving your highest good. NO making excuses here either, what do you want from life and what’s in alignment with that?
Check out this pin for a new yoga playlist!
6. Yoga
8s need movement in their mindfulness practice more than some other types and they can struggle to sit still. So type 8s, incorporate, whether its hot yoga or restorative, into your self care. You can attend a daily yoga class or do yoga at home to allow yourself to encourage yourself to relax, restore your strength, and release control.
7. METTA Meditation
Another practice you’ll want to do for your self care as an enneagram 8 is a METTA meditation. Set a timer for 10 minutes and close your eyes. Bring your attention to yourself, send loving-kindness to yourself. Then, think about one person you love, send loving-kindness to them. Next, send loving-kindness to someone you dislike. This can be hard but it’s important to at least try. Finally, send loving-kindness to the entire world.
Enneagram 8s, you might also like this morning meditation! Check it out on Pinterest!
8. Moderation
Type 8s deadly sin is lust, they lust for intensity. For 8s self care, simply incorporating moderation will be powerful for you. You don’t need to apply this moderation to everything at once 8s, we know how much that would stifle you. But try moderating an unhealthy habit or behavior you have.
If you drink a lot of coffee, moderate your caffeine intake to one cup a day. Or if you tend to take up other peoples’ responsibilities because you can, moderate your desire to control.
9. Take A Work Vacation
Not a work-free vacation (though, if that sounds manageable or appealing to you, go for it) because we know hard it if for you, 8s, to not have a task on hand. Take a work vacation, and vacation on your own, somewhere you love, where you can get into the right headspace to focus on a project or task.
10. Healthy Anger Outlets
Enneagram 8s a part of the anger triad. The core emotion they struggle with is anger and as an 8, they express this anger. Because of this, 8s can earn the title of “spitfire.” For an enneagram 8s self care, they should find a healthy outlet to release their inner fire so it they don’t feel like they’re constantly shooting it out at other people.
Make time to be alone and scream it out, go for a really hard run, take it out on a punching bag, whatever helps you release anger, do it.
11. Get Into Flow State
Flow state is an altered state of consciousness where we are at peak performance. When you enter flow state (usually through doing an intense athletic feat), the world falls away, time slows down, you can hear everything. Getting into flow state is great to have as part of your self care practice as an enneagram 8. It helps you tune out of unnecessary details, clear your head, and fulfill your core desire.
Click here to find out more on flow state.
12. Meditation
Meditation can be intimidating but there is no reason to be. It’s the best thing we can do for ourselves! When we sit in silence, we allow any deep rooted problems, emotions, thoughts, and more to come out of hiding to be healed.
13. Plan Rest Days
Schedule in a rest day once a week where you don’t work, don’t do chores, and only do what helps you restore your energy. Dedicate a day to rest, creativity, and enjoyment.
I love having the Best Self Journal to schedule my day, week, and set aligned 3 month goals. Click Here To Shop The Best Self Journal.
14. Find New Challenges
Self care for you type 8s isn’t just about rest, it’s about fulfilling your core desire in healthy ways. To fulfill your core desire of intensity and your 7 wing’s desire for newness, make it a part of your self care to find a new challenge you can take on!
Don’t forget to download the free enneagram cheatsheets for info on each enneagram type including a self care checklist!
15. Fun With Close Friends
For each enneagram type’s self care, they have to step into each of their wings. For your 7 wing self care, make time to have fun and be carefree with friends!
Not sure if you tested right? Take our free enneagram test to compare 👇
16. Sweat Out Toxins
Whether it’s a hot shower, hot tub, epsom salt bath, or sauna, type 8s will love this intensity based form of self care. Add sweating out your toxins and decompressing into your self care practice
Enneagram 8 Self Care Products
Now that you have plenty of self care practices you can utilize, here are some self care products you should have as an enneagram 8 that will help you make your self care practice.
Foam Roller
Seriously, 8s, the simplest and quickest form of self care you could do for yourself is spending 10 minutes foam rolling every day. Get this foam roller to release the tension in your body and feel amazing.
Enneagram 8 Candle
A candle is a great self care gift as an enneagram 8. Get yourself this enneagram 8 candle.
Best Self Win The Year Bundle
8s, you love being as organized as possible. The “Win the Year!” bundle comes with all of their tools you need to win the day, month and year!
This bundle comes with 4, 3 month Best Self Planner + Journals, 3 Win The Day Note Pads to capture and celebrate your wins, and a weekly action pad to help you optimize your week and maximize your success!
Click Here To Shop The Win The Year Bundle.
MUD/WTR
Ready to try a coffee detox? MUD/WTR is a great coffee substitute! I love having MUD in the morning when I’ve had too much caffeine. MUD/WTR is superfood, chocolate, chai powder mixture that you can drink with water or milk. It tastes amazing to say the least and it’s the perfect addition to your self care, enneagram 8s!
Love Crystals Kit
Like I said earlier, heart chakra healing is extremely healing for enneagram 8s. This crystal kit has all the crystals you need to open your heart chakra and let the love in. This kit comes in a crystals box, a collector card for information on each stone, along with a pouch for your crystals. Each crystal is one of a kind due to its formation in nature. Color, shape and size will vary slightly, making each crystal unique
Click Here To Shop The Love Crystals Kit.
Book For Enneagram 8 Self Care
Read Rising Strong by Brené Brown. In this book, Brené shares how there is power in embracing our emotions and telling our story. I loved reading this book and I think it is extremely powerful for 8s to read. Because becoming vulnerable is a huge step on the journey to becoming mindful.
Song For Enneagram 8 Self Care
Listen to Ordinary Human by One Republic for your self care. Let this song become the soundtrack to your life. Be vulnerable, type 8, it’s okay to be human.
Reminder For Enneagram 8s
Type 8s, remember that softness isn’t a weakness.
Screenshot this reminder and make it your wallpaper to embody your health as an 8!
Did we miss anything? Comment below, tell us how you practice self care as an enneagram 8!
Related Blogs:
- The Enneagram 8 Personality
- Enneagram 8w7 VS 8w9 Comparison: Which Wing Are You?
- 13 Gift Ideas For The Enneagram 8
- Enneagram Anger Triad Explained
- Enneagram 8 In Stress & Growth
Pin This To Your Enneagram 8 Boards
