Ways to Self-Care and Why It Should Be a Priority
Hi everyone,
Today I want to talk about self-care; what it is and what it isn’t.
The word self-care is thrown around a lot to justify all kinds of stuff. Retail companies love it to justify indulgent purchases and expensive items.
Self-care means just what it says. To care for oneself. What does that entail? Why would I need to?
Let’s break it down for you:
Definition of Self-Care
Self-care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health. It can include physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Self-care is important for everyone, but it can be especially beneficial for people who are stressed, overwhelmed, or struggling with mental health challenges.
I like to add physical health challenges to this list. Many people struggle with chronic pain, autoimmune deficiencies, and other illnesses with long-term effects.
We’re assailed continually by external factors that disrupt our nervous system. This can wreak havoc on our bodies in many forms. In our busy and overwhelming culture, we tend to ignore our bodies’ signs that we need a time out.
If we understand that there’s a way to regulate and restore our minds and bodies, we feel confident that we’ll find respite from being overwhelmed.
Self-care is the answer.
The Many Benefits of Self-Care
* Improved mental health: Self-care can help to improve your mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help to boost your mood, increase your self-esteem, and improve your overall sense of well-being.
* Improved physical health: Self-care can also help to improve your physical health. It can help you to lose weight, get more exercise, and eat a healthier diet. It can also help to reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
* Improved emotional well-being: Self-care can help to improve your emotional well-being by helping you to cope with stress, deal with difficult emotions, and build resilience. It can also help you to connect with others and build strong relationships.
* Increased social value: Self-care can also increase your social value. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to take care of others. You are also more likely to be happy and healthy, which makes you a more valuable member of your community.
Misconceptions About Self-Care
There are many misconceptions about what self-care is. It gets a bad rap. I admit that some people will stretch the use of this phrase to mean extreme self-indulgence at the expense of others. That’s a total no-no!
Self-care is NOT SELFISH behavior.
In my opinion, it's like stepping off the merry-go-round before you reach a breaking point or lose control.
Another misconception is that it requires certain products, practices, or special people to help you self-care.
You can do this anytime, anywhere.
When you learn what actual self-care is, you’ll realize it’s always been available to you.
It’s that easy. It just takes focus, intent, and follow-through.
Ways to Self-Care
Self-care is an important part of total wellness. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to take charge of your life with confidence and ease. You’re also more likely to be happy and healthy. Here’s how you can do this:
* Getting enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. Most adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
* Eating a healthy diet: Eating a healthy diet provides your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. It can also help you to lose weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall health and well-being.
* Getting regular exercise: Exercise is important for both physical and mental health. It can help you to lose weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels.
* Spending time in nature: Spending time in nature can help to reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your creativity.
* Connecting with others: Connecting with others can help to reduce loneliness, improve your mood, and boost your overall sense of well-being.
* Taking breaks: Taking breaks throughout the day can help to reduce stress, improve your focus, and boost your productivity.
* Doing something you enjoy: Doing something you enjoy can help to reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your overall sense of well-being. Make sure to do something each day that you enjoy. This could be anything from watching your favorite TV show to spending time with friends.
* Set boundaries: It's important to set boundaries with others so that you don't overextend yourself. This means saying no to things that you don't have time for or that will stress you out.
* Learn to say no: It's okay to say no to requests, even from people you love. If you're already feeling overwhelmed, it's best to decline anything that will add to your stress.
* Take time for yourself: Make sure to schedule some time each day or week for yourself, even if it's just for a few minutes. This could mean reading, taking a bath or a nap, or going for a walk.
* Ask for help: If you're struggling to take care of yourself, don't be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, therapist, or other trusted person.
None of these things are selfish. The only cost is your time directed at and for yourself.
If you’ve never thought you needed to do this, think again. You’re human and you need to recharge and recalibrate. You’ll thank yourself later.
At first, you may feel guilty for doing something for yourself. That’s okay, give yourself permission.
By making self-care a part of your life you will control your world as opposed to the world running you over. You’ll feel energized, happy, and renewed.
Be well my friends.