Understanding Self-Care
By Trina Stanford, MA
Self-Care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual health. When we believe we are too busy for self-care, we are sacrificing critical factors that contribute to our ability to perform at our peak. Contrary to perception, self-care is not an option, it is an essential ingredient for maintaining our bodies, managing our emotions, reducing stress, and creating harmony in our broader lives.
Self-care requires us to not only be deliberate about setting time, but also be intentional about how we choose to frame our desire for self-care. When we focus on external perceptions and self-conscious for tending to ourselves, we undermine the benefits.
Below are some myths about self-care. Reminding yourself that these are myths will help train your brain to accept the benefits and build habits that promote regular self-care.
Myth 1: Self-care is selfish.
Contrary to what most of us believe, self-care is an act of love to yourself and those around you. When we are stressed, we can’t be our best. Showing up for family, friends, and colleagues requires a clear mind – we achieve this most when we practice self-care.
Myth 2: Self-care involves lots of time and money.
Self-care doesn’t have to be resource drain. In fact, small things like turning off your phone, practicing a 5-minute meditation, or going for a short walk are all ways to self-care and absolutely free. The key is to just get stared.
Myth 3: Self-care looks the same for everyone.
It goes without saying, but bears repeating, that we are all unique individuals. What matters and what sticks will vary from person-to-person. The key is to find a self-care routine that works for you and will fit into your existing lifestyle or routine.
Myth 4: Self-care is a sign of weakness.
Many of us have convinced ourselves that working hard, going non-stop, and never taking time for self, equates to strength. The strongest things we can do is to be intentional about how and where we spend our time and effort. Self-care declutters much of the noise that infiltrates our daily lives, leaving us to be capable to making conscious choices about what will get us to impactful results.
Myth 5: Self-care is optional
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often put our own needs last. When we do this, we run the risk of developing problems with our physical and mental health. Taking time for yourself is as necessary as nourishing the body with food and water.
In the next writing we will discuss ways to recognize when self-care is needed and how to practice.
