All the experts are saying, “Practice self-care, it’s important!” But what is it? And why is it considered critical to surviving in the modern world?
Well, let’s define it.
According to Psychcentral, it’s defined as “any activity that we do deliberately to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety.”
It’s tempting to think of self-care as an indulgence – like eating chocolate cake for breakfast, but sadly, doing what you like, when you like, is not necessarily self-care. Self-indulgent behaviours such as overeating or spending all day in bed can do more harm than good. They can lead to even more stress and anxiety – which is the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
So here are a few tips on how you can treat your body and mind with love and respect.
Eat Better, Feel Better
The golden rule of self-care is that you need to take care of your body and mind in a responsible manner. Pretend your body is a child. Would you feed it sweets and treats all day, or would you be intent on making sure they have access to good nutrients including plenty of fresh fruits and veggies? Obviously you would choose to feed it good food, so why don’t you treat yourself the same way? Put healthy food into your body and you’ll feel so much better as a result.
Make Time For Yourself
Life is hectic, we know! In between work, kids, family, friends and all the chores, it’s hard to make time for yourself. However, it’s essential that you unwind, reflect and treat yourself to some me-time. One way is to take a long soothing bath and think about skin care as part of the ritual. Glowing skin is a certified way to make you look as good as you feel!
Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries!
A big part of self-care is setting boundaries for yourself. Learning how to say ‘no’ to the things or people that might not make you feel great can be a big part of that. Psychcentral recommends, making a ‘no’ list, of the things you know you don’t like doing and no longer want to do. Examples might include resisting checking emails at night, not attending gatherings you don’t like just because your mates are going and resolving not to answer your phone during lunch/dinner. These are positive boundaries that will protect your energy.
Self-care is a habit, and it takes time to master the art of protecting your time and space so that you can become a calmer, happier person for yourself and others.
Enjoy the journey!
