As a counselor, I have seen self-care become a buzzword. So what does it really mean? For me, it’s about taking time to prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It's a way to recharge those batteries and refocus on what's most important to you. In this blog post, we'll explore why self-care matters and provide some tips on how to make it a priority in your life.
First, what self-care is NOT:
· It’s not selfish · It’s not a luxury or a “if I get time, I’ll do it,” kind of situation · It’s not a one-time occurrence · It’s not a quick fix · It’s not about engaging in unhealthy behaviors · It’s nothing to be ashamed of or feel guilty for
Ok, now that we got that out in the clear, why does self-care even matter? Taking care of yourself is essential for your overall health and well-being.
Here are some reasons why self-care matters:
1. Reduces Stress: Self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and spending time outdoors can help reduce stress levels. 2. Improves Mental Health: Self-care practices like therapy, journaling, and self-reflection can improve your mental health and well-being. 3. Becoming Intuitive: Increases your ability to come home to yourself and listen to your needs. 4. Boosts Physical Health: Self-care activities like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and staying hydrated can improve your physical health. 5. Increases Productivity: When you take time to care for yourself, you'll likely find that you're more productive and able to focus better. Regular self-care practices help recharge your batteries so that you’re more likely to be effective with upcoming/future life demands.
How to Prioritize Self-Care: Now that we've established why self-care is important, let's explore some tips on how to make it a priority in your life:
1. Schedule It: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your schedule. Set aside time each day or week for activities that bring you joy and help you relax. You make time for meetings, kid’s activities, and other things, don’t skip scheduling for yourself too! 2. Make a plan: If you struggle to make a schedule for self-care, consider making a list of all the things you want to do this week or this month. If you have a plan of things you want to accomplish for your self-care, you may be more likely to achieve them. However, the goal is to eventually listen to your needs and attend to them as needed. 3. Get Creative: Self-care looks different for everyone. Experiment with different activities until you find what works best for you. Ask friends what they do, perhaps engage in an activity with them. Sunday yoga anyone? 4. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by focusing on what you're grateful for each day. This can help shift your mindset and reduce stress levels. Bonus- if your gratitude is about someone in your life, share it with them. It might just boost your mood to appreciate someone that cares about you…their mood too! 5. Be Intentional: If there are already things you do that could be considered self-care (i.e. Sunday meal prep for healthy, nutritious meals, weekly bath, meditation, outdoor walks, etc.), count them! Before you get in that bath, tell yourself “I’m doing this to unwind and care for myself.” Before you go for that outdoor family walk, think: “I’m going on a walk to connect with my family. When I’m connected with my family, I feel like I’m taking care of myself,” or “When I move my body, I’m engaging in self-care.” 6. Start Small: It's easy to get overwhelmed when trying to prioritize self-care. Start with small, creative ideas. The whole purpose is to achieve a state of peace, not overwhelm, so check in with yourself regularly to make sure you feel good about your practices.
Self-care isn't just a trend - it's a vital part of our overall health and well-being. By making self-care a priority, we can reduce stress levels, improve our mental and physical health, and increase productivity. Remember, self-care looks different for everyone. Experiment with different activities until you find what works best for you, and don't be afraid to seek support from loved ones.
Prioritizing self-care may take some time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it.
