Taking a break is something everyone needs to do.
Whether it’s from work, kids, family/friends or even just life.
We all deserve a time to reflect and dedicate time to care about ourselves.
We are pushed and pulled in directions we never imagined would take us down the roads we have been on.
It’s not that we can’t handle the obstacles that come our way, but it is how we handle ourselves and care about ourselves.
It is very easy to lose your self worth and appearance.
That is why giving yourself self-care days is important.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care has been defined as “a multidimensional, multifaceted process of purposeful engagement in strategies that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being.”
Essentially, the term describes a conscious act a person takes in order to promote their own physical, mental, and emotional health.
There are many forms self-care can take.
It could be ensuring you get enough sleep every night or stepping outside for a few minutes for some fresh air.
Self-care is vital for building resilience toward those stressors in life that you can’t eliminate.
When you’ve taken steps to care for your mind and body, you’ll be better equipped to live your best life.
Unfortunately, however, many people view self-care as a luxury, rather than a priority.
Consequently, they’re left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and ill-equipped to handle life’s inevitable challenges.
It’s important to assess how you’re caring for yourself in several different domains so you can ensure you’re caring for your mind, body, and spirit.
From everyday health they state,
“Let’s clear up one common misconception from the get-go: Self-care is not synonymous with self-indulgence or being selfish.”
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.
How to Self-Care
- Take care of yourself by taking care of your gut
- Make sleep part of your self-care routine
- Exercise daily as part of your self-care routine
- Starting a garden
- Meditating
- Say no to others, and say yes to your self-care, putting yourself first
- Cook at home to care for yourself, instead of ordering out
- Put your work aside
- Read a book on self-care for self-care, listen to podcasts
Different types of Self-Care
Physical Self-Care
“You need to take care of your body if you want it to run efficiently.”
Keep in mind that there’s a strong connection between your body and your mind.
When you’re caring for your body, you’ll think and feel better too.
Physical self-care includes how you’re fueling your body, how much sleep you’re getting, how much physical activity you are doing, and how well you’re caring for your physical needs.
Attending healthcare appointments, taking medication as prescribed, and managing your health are all part of good physical self-care.
Social Self-Care
“Socialization is key to self-care. But, often, it’s hard to make time for friends and it’s easy to neglect your relationships when life gets busy. Close connections are important to your well-being. The best way to cultivate and maintain close relationships is to put time and energy into building relationships with others.”
Mental Self-Care
“The way you think and the things that you’re filling your mind with greatly influence your psychological well-being. Mental self-care includes doing things that keep your mind sharp, like puzzles, or learning about a subject that fascinates you. You might find reading books or watching movies that inspire you and fuels your mind.”
Spiritual Self-Care
“Research shows that a lifestyle including religion or spirituality is generally a healthier lifestyle. Nurturing your spirit, however, doesn’t have to involve religion. It can involve anything that helps you develop a deeper sense of meaning, understanding, or connection with the universe. Whether you enjoy meditation, attending a religious service, or praying, spiritual self-care is important.”
Emotional Self-Care
“It’s important to have healthy coping skills to deal with uncomfortable emotions, like anger, anxiety, and sadness. Emotional self-care may include activities that help you acknowledge and express your feelings regularly and safely. Whether you talk to a partner or close friend about how you feel, or you set aside time for leisure activities that help you process your emotions, it’s important to incorporate emotional self-care into your life.”
This post was written by Lauren K., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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