By Stella Vasileiadou,
Being an adult basically means overwhelming responsibilities. You have to do tasks and meet deadlines, make ends meet, while there is still a lot of work to do at home. The only way to be at peace with yourself is by accepting and embracing the numerous responsibilities and taking some time to focus on what is essential. Self-care is one of those important things.
What is self-care? Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do of your own will, for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As strange as it may sound, only a few people are aware of what self-care really stands for. Oh, and do not forget: self-care does not mean being selfish. If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot take care of others either.
Physical self-care
Be honest. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating healthy? Are you getting enough exercise? The body and the mind have a unique connection and if your body is not healthy, it is difficult to be in high spirits. Scientists claim that regular exercise increases the level of serotonin in our body and significantly improving mood and energy levels. Also, undoubtedly, your body needs some rest in order to function properly and be able to concentrate too in your daily routine.
Social self-care
Are you spending enough time with your loved ones? What are you doing to build even more your relationship with them? Of course, social needs differ from a person, but it is really important to have people in your life that make you feel special and loved and spend time with them as well.
However, this could be a trap as well; social self-care does not imply saying ‘yes’ all the time. For instance, you tend to accept every request so that the other person’s feelings will not be hurt. When you do this at the expense of your own peace or mental health, you are going against the principles of self-care. It is good to realize you are only human and you cannot possibly make everyone happy. It is important for you to learn to say ‘no’ and to set your limits.
Change your mindset
Unfortunately, we tend to focus on the things we do not have or do not like instead of the things that are all around us. For example, when we break up we tend to remember how much hurt we were. What about all the good times we spent with that person? It is high time we appreciated all the good memories we made because nothing should be taken for granted. If you can adopt a gratitude mindset, you are on your way to achieving the highest level of self-care.
Emotional self-care
Let us just admit that not all feelings are comfortable. You do not like being stressed, angry or sad; but that does not mean that you should feel bad about it. It just means that you should start having healthy coping skills in order to deal with such situations. Have you ever tried talking to a friend about it? Or do you incorporate activities into your life that help you feel recharged? It is up to you to find what suits you more. And remember: you do not have to tackle everything all at once. Identify one small step you can take to begin caring for yourself better.
We really need to get rid of the stigma that being kind to and taking care of ourselves is self-indulgent or selfish. Invest in yourself, and do not think that when you pay sufficient attention to your well-being, you are considering your needs alone. You are just reinvigorating yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself for the people around you. Everyone around you also benefits from the renewed energy and joy you exhibit.
References
- 5 Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life, VeryWellMind , Available here
- ‘’What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important for Your Health?’’, EVERYDAYHEALTH, Available here
- THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE, PERIMETERhealthcare, Available here
