What is Self-Care?
Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day.
Simply put, self-care is a conscious act a person takes in order to promote their own physical, mental, and emotional health.
Self-care requires checking in with yourself consistently, asking yourself how you’re doing, and tending to what your body and mind are asking for. It does not mean the same thing for everyone. Different people will adopt different self-care practices, and even your own definition might change over time!
Why is Self-Care Important?
Self-care is crucial for building resilience toward stressors in life that you can’t avoid. When you’ve taken steps to care for your mind and body, you’ll be better equipped to manage and overcome those stressors.
Unfortunately, many people view self-care as a luxury, rather than a priority. Because of this, they’re left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and unable to handle life’s challenges.
Additionally, having a consistent and effective self-care routine can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout. It can improve one’s level of energy, happiness, sense of hope, and interpersonal relationships.
Self-care Types
Emotional self-care, such as positive self-talk, saying “no” to things that cause unnecessary stress, giving yourself permission to take a pause, or taking part in activities that help you acknowledge and express your feelings regularly and safely
Physical self-care, such as prioritizing sleep, adopting an exercise routine you can stick with, drinking extra water, and choosing healthy, nourishing foods over highly processed ones
Spiritual self-care, such as attending a religious service, spending time in nature, meditating, incorporating regular acts of kindness into your day, or keeping a gratitude journal
Social self-care, such as connecting with friends, family, and loved ones
What are some ways to practice self-care?
- Eating a healthy meal
- Watching a movie you enjoy
- Drinking water
- Getting a manicure
- Practicing a good sleep routine
- Spending time with people you love
- Taking a shower or bath
- Watching your favorite sports team
- Spending time outside
- Getting creative: painting, journaling, writing poetry, doing photography, etc.
- Spending time with your pet
- Play a video game
- Brushing and flossing your teeth
- Doing a kind act for someone else
