self-care
/sɛlfˈkɛː/
noun
the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.
“autonomy in self-care and insulin administration.”
the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
“expressing oneself is an essential form of self-care.”
Photo by Zara Walker on Unsplash
Self-care is about looking after yourself in the very specific ways that work for you. Taking part and arrange things that make you happy. But, not that surface happy. The one you feel in your stomach. To many, it still sounds like something that is self-indulgent and selfish. And, you know what? Sure. It can be, but it is also what you might need. So do it.
Emotional Care
Sometimes we are so busy brushing things aside, we forget to feel our feelings. Which means we start bottling up those negative emotions. But you can only bottle those up for so long, eventually will come spilling over.
One of the healthiest things you can do for yourself is to learn how to deal with all of your emotions in the healthiest way possible. Sometimes it is meditation, sometimes it’s talking to a professional – others it’s giving yourself hours to sink into the feeling for a while.
If you are prone to feeling fraught or anxious, then you might like to start using a breathing technique to relax you. A minute of calm, controlled breathing can help you focus.
If you want to try a guided meditation, then consider Headspace or the Calm app.
Physical Care
Your mind is essential – but so is your body. Aside from sleeping, we don’t give our bodies as much time to relax as we should. They say that the body is a temple, so you should be sure that what you are putting into it is good for you. Fruits and veggies are great, but you might need a supplement too. An at-home kit will be able to help you decipher which vitamins and minerals you are lacking, check out everlywell reviews of some at homes tests that might help.
Water, water and more water. Consider yourself a cucumber, but with complex emotions.
Make time to take regular walks. The best thing to do is to head out into the countryside so that you can get the fresh air, and the green therapy too. Being around trees and fields for a few hours a week can improve your mental health and emotional wellbeing. And it’s free for the most part. So, start using your Sunday’s a little better – skip the Netflix binge and put your walking boots on.
No
This is just a small note, ‘no’ can be the most powerful word to someone who needs to take time out for themselves. Don’t be afraid to say no when you need to.
When it comes to self-care, there is no one size fits all, which is what makes it really cool. But, also it can take some time before you know what works. And, sometimes it might just be that self-care IS a hot bath.
