You have probably heard the term “self-care” used a lot lately. The self-care activity has become a popular buzzword in the media and in personal development circles that I preach it every day. However, a lot of people still feel unclear about what it means. While the concept does involve taking care of yourself, it goes much deeper than one may seem to think like bordering on the level of selfishness, which is apart from the truth.
Read on to learn what self-care is, why it matters, and how to get started doing it.
Read more: Self-Care Matters: Super Simple Ways To Treat YourselfAbout Self-Care
Self-care covers a lot of areas with respect to caring for personal well-being. In the nutshell, it involves nurturing your body, mind, and spirit. Plus it focuses on building yourself up in so many ways so that your internal resources do not become depleted.
Essentially, self-care is being as good to yourself as you would be to someone you care about. It requires you to show yourself some compassion, encouraging you to be vulnerable with others, and asking for someone to help you when you need it.
What is not under the umbrella of self-care are self-destructive coping mechanisms such as using illegal drugs, drinking alcohol, gambling, or retail therapy. These things only make you feel good in the short-term which is a momentary high leading to bad addictive habits.
The Benefits of Self-Care
There are lots of benefits to practicing self-care. However, for individuals who have always placed emphasis on the welfare of others, embracing this concept can be difficult at first. But one has to remember this. Giving all your energy to those whom you love and care for without refilling your own water bottle will leave you depleted and empty.
That is not a constructive way to live. One good point to remember is spending time and effort on yourself rejuvenates and invigorates you always. It is your body’s system way of rebooting.
Taking time to indulge in your own interests demonstrates your worth, leading to improved self-esteem and a more positive outlook on the world. It teaches you more about yourself and provides you with insight into what you need to do to become the best version of yourself.
Self-care helps you better cope with stress and helps you prioritize what is profoundly important to you. Surely, you will better be able to take care of others when you also take time to meet your own needs.
Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
Lucille Ball
Examples of Self-Care
There are countless ways to add self-care into your daily routine. The key is to choose activities that are most enjoyable to you and provide you with the most benefits.
For example, going for a walk-in nature is great for those who enjoy the outdoors. Other forms of exercise like yoga, running or going to the gym work as well, too.
Spending time with friends can be rejuvenating, as well as saying “no” to those who do not serve your well-being. You may not realize it yet but allowing yourself to decline invitations or favors when you are feeling run-down is a big factor of caring for yourself. Treating yourself to a favorite, affordable indulgence like a movie, manicure, or ice cream cone are all good examples. So is simply taking a bath or meditating. These are just a few of the ways you can easily incorporate self-care into your life.
The Brilliant Plan
Now that you have an idea of what self-care is and why it is important, how would you plan your day with a self-care in your routine? With the ideas whirring through your brain now, get your journal and get started on your way to adding this useful practice to your life.
