"True self-care is not bath salts and chocolate cake, it's making the choice to build a life you don't need to escape from." -BRIANNA WIEST
INTRODUCTION
You can see several shapes below, choose one (or more) shapes and remember the shape that you have chosen.
Self-care is a beautiful concept which is all about giving time to YOURSELF and taking care of yourself in that time. It is very simple, and it starts with giving yourself love, care, and attention and you will watch yourself bloom.
WHAT IS SELF-CARE
Self-care is a means to connect with yourself on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. When you take some time out for yourself and perform activities that provide you with mental peace and help in the betterment of your mental health, it is known as self-care. Indulging in such Self-care practices can provide you with multiple benefits both on a mental as well as physical level.
TYPES OF SELF-CARE
There are four broad domains of Self-care:
1. PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Physical self-care is a form of self-care that includes any activities that support your physical health and well-being. Practicing physical self-care can not only help the body but also the mind. Some examples include sticking to a sleep schedule, eating healthy and doing some form of exercise every day.
2. EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Emotional self-care is the act of nurturing, processing, and attending to your inner feelings and emotions. Nurturing your emotions, and consciously possessing any frequent negative emotions can help to decrease the stress in today’s fast world, cope with tough situations, and improve the functioning of the nervous system.
3. SOCIAL SELF-CARE
Social self-care is a form of self-care that includes any activities that support your mental well-being by providing you a medium to form a connection with yourself and others around you. Practicing social self-care can not only help your body but also your mind. Some examples include practicing your hobbies, grooming yourself or connecting with your family and friends by meeting them or even catching up through a phone call.
4. SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
Spiritual Self-care refers to the activities that help you nurture your spirit and allows you to think bigger and deeper than yourself and form a connection with your inner self. Spiritual self-care does not necessarily have to be religious, although it is, for many people. Some examples include having positive thoughts, practicing meditation, connecting with your faith and beliefs, and connecting with yourself through the medium of your spirituality etc.
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE
Just taking out those few minutes for yourself can add to so many physical and mental benefits, it proves to be a cure for almost all of the mental health concerns like stress, depression and anxiety and helps us live a happier, much contented life. Small acts towards taking care of yourself can prove to be highly beneficial towards your mental health, which in turn, improves your physical health. Self-care as a consistent practice has proved to be more effective than any other medicine in the world!
SELF-CARE PLAN AND SELF-CARE MAP
“The best health care plan is a Self-care plan” ~Nina Leavins
Take out a pen and paper and write 10 things you love to do, it can be reading a book, nature walks, spending time with family and friends, your hobbies, anything!
Now you have a list of 10 things ready to do that makes you happy and you can do it whenever you get or take time out for yourself.
There are several beneficial Self-care practices that can help in the betterment of your mental health in many ways. Each domain of self-care that we saw earlier includes several self-care practices which can be performed, like:
PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Physical self-care involves practices like eating healthy or making your comfort food in a way that it somehow adds to your nutritional benefits. And exercising regularly.
EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Emotional self-care involves practices like Journaling and practicing mindfulness, etc., along with acknowledging and processing your emotions healthily.
SOCIAL SELF-CARE
Social self-care involves practices like Practicing your hobbies like reading, dancing, listening to music, along with practices like having a skin care or a hair care routine and more.
SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
Spiritual Self-care involves practices like scheduling ‘Me-time,’ or meditating or even having positive thoughts and more which helps you connect to your spiritual self.
Mapping down and scheduling all such activities in a way which is convenient for you, makes your own personalised self-care map or plan.
Practicing Self-care regularly is easy!
STEP 1 – Be kind to yourself: Talk to yourself like you would talk to a child, understand yourself, forgive yourself, love yourself.
STEP 2 – Take out time for yourself: Make a conscious effort to take out some time for YOU at least once a day wherein you can practice self-care activities and take care of yourself.
STEP 3 – Focus on yourself: Ask yourself what you need at the moment, and focus on fulfilling that need. If your friends are calling you outside and you need rest after a long day, prioritise taking rest.
SELF-CARE MYTHS
Self-Care = Skin Care
Self-care includes all activities that help you focus on yourself.
Self-care is just for women.
Self-care is a need for each and everyone regardless of their gender or background.
Self-care is Expensive.
Self-care is about taking out time for oneself, not buying expensive resources (Investing in yourself is surely a great thing, but for self-care it is not necessary to run to the store each time).
Self-care is the same for everyone.
Everyone has different requirements and need to care for themselves. Self-care as an idea or practice is different for each one of us, keeping in mind our perspective.
Love yourself, take out time for yourself, the world can wait a few minutes.
Now, recall the shape(s) you had selected during the beginning. Each shape has a self-care practice associated with it; you should practice that activity TODAY.
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