Self-care; what’s the big deal?
How many times do you hear someone boast about self-care? If I had to guess, I’d say pretty often. But why is it such a big deal, and what exactly is it? Sure, self-care is about eating healthy, moving your body, and sleeping well; but there are other aspects to it. Self-care is also about taking time for yourself, practicing a hobby, and listening to your body.
The World Health Organization states that self-care can empower individuals to prevent and treat diseases in a safe and supportive environment; however, it does not replace the healthcare system, it instead aids it by providing additional options for healthcare (World Health Organization Self-care for health and well-being). Think about it, if you stopped basic hygiene practices like bathing, brushing your teeth, or washing your hands, your physical health would be impacted; so why would the same not be true for your mental health?
Everyone seems to be talking about self-care these days, the reality is, that it is vital to your health and well-being. Boundary setting, practicing hobbies, and taking time for yourself, are all beneficial for your mental health, and are just some examples of ways to practice self-care. I know I know, adding one more thing to your to-do list sounds exhausting, but hear me out; self-care doesn’t need to take forever, and doing a few minutes a day may drastically improve your mental health.
As humans, we often put ourselves last, especially when it comes to self-care for fears of being “selfish.” It is important to remember that self-care goes a long way to managing stress, avoiding burnout, and improving your overall well-being, (Baratta Self care 101).
Here are some ideas for your updated self-care routine:
Make time to practice a hobby
Listen to your body:
Does it need to move?
Does it need food?
Does it need extra rest?
Speak to yourself the way you would speak to your best friend
Often we are our own harshest critics. After a “negative thought,” about yourself, ask yourself, would I speak to my best friend this way? Would I speak to my child this way? If the answer is no, you should NOT be speaking to yourself that way.
Take a few minutes to start your day with a positive affirmation, or meditation
Do something just for you
References:
Baratta, Maria. “Self Care 101.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 27 May 2018, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/skinny-revisited/201805/self-care-101?msockid=3608a5bdd107671a29b0b197d0796694.
“Self-Care for Health and Well-Being.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/health-topics/self-care#tab=tab_1. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
