When you hear self-care, you might envision bubble baths and TV binging under a weighted blanket. If so, that might be what you need but there’s more to it. Self-care is the daily, consistent, foundational way you care for yourself, covering your physical, emotional, and mental health to present the best version of yourself.
Self-care goes beyond mere pampering; it may involve doing something beneficial for your overall well-being, even if it’s not always enjoyable, such as a dental appointment. It also means providing yourself with what you truly need in specific situations, like taking a proper lunch break. By doing so, you can replenish your energy and engage fully at work and in your relationships.
Instead of exerting effort to force relaxation, self-care equips you with the internal resources to address the issues you’re trying not to stress over. Self-care is about connecting with ourselves more deeply and listening to what our hearts, minds, and bodies need. To effectively care for yourself, understanding your own needs is crucial. What nourishes one person may not work for another, and your needs can vary from one moment to another.
Tailoring your self-care activities to your current needs is key. Here are examples:
When you feel overwhelmed: exercise
Instead of a soothing massage, try a workout that empowers and relieves stress, such as a dance class, swimming, fiery yoga flow. Movement can boost your energy and confidence.
When you’re having trouble sleeping: take a bath
A warm bath one to two hours before bedtime helps induce better-quality sleep by lowering your core temperature and creating a calm mindset for bedtime.
When you’re feeling anxious: phone a friend
Rather than relying on alcohol or entertainment, calling a friend provides an uplifting and grounding experience. Discussing anxieties with a friend can offer a different perspective and help formulate a plan, providing a sense of control.
When you’re down: make a gratitude list
This is a great exercise in itself to create a gratitude inventory to reflect on positive aspects of our life. Research suggests that reminding ourselves of all the good things in our life help us keeping a positive outlook and contributes to higher life satisfaction and greater self-esteem.
In essence, finding what works for you is the key to effective self-care. If these suggestions don’t yield the desired results, keep experimenting until you discover what truly makes you feel better at a given time. Always ask yourself, “How do I feel?” and “What do I really need right now?”. Eventually, you’ll learn to deal with and balance your moods. Recognizing and understanding your feelings helps you handle them without letting them affect you negatively.
