What is Self-Care Really?
Self-care has become a buzzword in the past decade and although awareness is a good thing overall, it can obscure meaning. In this post, I breakdown my understanding of this term and ways you can apply it to your life.
SELF-CARE
Teresa Strong
8/19/20262 min read
What is self-care really?
Self-care is the actions that maintain your well-being, health, and promote personal development.
Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with yourself and others!
Is self-care just stuff like bubble baths?
No! In fact, self-care is often a very unbeautiful thing. It is making a spreadsheet of your debt, rienforcing a morning routine, and saying “no” to people you love; no longer just running from your problems and calling the distraction a solution.
True self-care isn’t indulging in all of your wants and avoiding all your stressors, it can sometimes be engaging in scary or challenging activities if that’s what you need to do to take care of yourself.
Where do you start?
Stick to the basics. Over time you will find your own rhythm and routine. You will be able to add more once you have successfully introduced something new—don’t do too much, too soon! Set yourself up for success.
Self-care needs to be something you actively plan, rather than something that just happens. Add things you want to prioritize to your calendar, announce your plans to others in order to increase your commitment, and actively look for opportunities to practice self-care.
Is it selfish to put myself first?
No! Nurturing oneself is important to be able to maintain strength, motivation, and inner resources to continue to give to others. In fact, doing too much for others could deprive them of the opportunity to learn how to provide their own self-care (yes, even kids!).
Although self-care means different things to different people, here’s a list of places to start:
Create a “no” list, with things that are not serving you or you no longer want to do. Examples might include: Not checking work emails at night, not answering your phone during lunch/dinner, not volunteering for more things if you already stressed out
Eat nutrient-dense foods (for your health), while also eating foods that you enjoy (for your soul).
Exercise. Despite what society can say, exercise is as good for our emotional health as it is for our physical health. It increases serotonin levels, leading to improved mood and energy. Find something you like doing—walking, dancing in your kitchen, playing on the playground with your kids, cleaning your house, etc.
Be proactive with medical care and seek help if things feel wrong (if you have health insurance and the resources to do so).
Do one relaxing activity every day, whether it’s taking a walk, spending 30 minutes unwinding to a TV show you like, or taking a few extra minutes to yourself in the bathroom before going to bed.
Spend time with people you care about (and with people who care about you).
Edit who you follow and the amount of time spent on social media. If the person isn’t enhancing your life, supporting your well-being, or making you a better version of yourself, consider unfollowing them. We are heavily influenced by what we surround ourselves with.
Questions for Reflection:
What does self-care mean to you?
How do you currently take care of yourself?
What do you find easy to do for yourself and what is more challenging?
What areas could you improve upon? List specific examples and think about which may be most helpful to implement first.
