Self-Care: A Reminder to Take Good Care of Yourself in this Crazy and Stressful Life.
“How we care for ourselves gives our brain messages that shape our self-worth, so we must care for ourselves in every way, every day.” – Sam Owen
In the present world, where things seem all hurried, we often become so busy taking care of our work, family and relationships that we forget to even think or taking care of ourselves, a concept often referred to as self-care. Self-care is defined as the productive, well-informed and objective activities and behaviors of a person in concrete situations of life. Although the concept of self-care varies from individual to individual, its practice primarily involves taking care of one’s own on a mental, physical and emotional state.
Self-care is not a one-time ordeal. Rather, it is important to continuously take good care of yourself, and as much as possible. When we start to feel weighed down by stress or emotional baggage, self-care can help us feel rejuvenated and refreshed. However, if one fails to mind their mental health, it may begin to affect their physical health, too, and vice versa.
- Read this Related Article: “Five Ways to a Happier, Healthier Life“
Why is it Important to Practice Self-Care?
First, let’s look at some of the different sources of stress and how we can tell, physically and mentally, when it’s starting to affect our health and wellbeing. While many things can cause stress, some of the main sources include:
- Relationships
- Family conflicts
- Work
- Money matters
- Academics
- Poor or deteriorating health
Of course, each of these sources have an important role in our lives. However, if our relationships or work are making us feel like we’re drowning, then its important to practice self-care to ensure that it does not start to take a toll on your overall health.
Some of the Physical and Mental Signs of Stress Include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Feeling weighed down
- absent-mindedness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Constant worry and/or guilt
Self-Care Techniques
Techniques of self-care may include simple lifestyle modifications that can help you manage stress and other mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. Here are a few of the techniques to combat stress:
- Cultivate Social Life: Do you have relationships with people you enjoy spending time with and who are positive and encourage you to be the best version of yourself? It might be time for you to take a thorough examination of your relationships and weed out the unhealthy ones. Spend time with people who bring you up, rather than down, and connect with people who you care about regularly – it’s important component of your overall health.
- Indulge in Therapeutic Activities: Relaxation techniques and activities such as mindfulness, massage, deep breathing, coloring mandalas, guided imagery and art and creativity may help one de-stress from routine activities. A few minutes of these techniques help release anxiety and help you decompress when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Look After your Physical Health: The mind and body are connected, in more ways than one. Make sure you get enough sleep to give you the energy to handle work and other responsibilities in a more productive manner. One should also make physical care a priority every day by engaging in activities like walking, going to the gym, stretching, yoga and dancing, which can rejuvenate the body and release hormones that keep us mentally fit. Furthermore, eating healthily such as fruits and carbohydrate-rich foods can promote health and well-being.
- Stay Away from Stressful Situations: It is always sensible to avoid irrelevant arguments, conflicts and other stressful situations that keep one’s peace at bay. Learn how to set boundaries in your relationships and avoid unnecessary stress as a form of self-care.
- Seek Professional Help: One can take professional help to develop a self-care plan. You may discuss how you can practice better self-care with a supervisor or a mentor to help you take better care of your physical and mental health.
No matter how busy life gets, there’s always time for peace. If needed, don’t hesitate to contact a professional who can help you implement self-care into you daily routine. So, go ahead and get that massage after work! If you take good care of your physical and mental health, the rest will follow.
At AKUA Mind & Body, our clinical team understands the importance of self-care. We believe that providing high-quality care to clients and their families is best when it comes from a healthy and balanced clinical team. We offer specialized treatment programs for men and women with trauma, mental health issues, including co-occurring disorders, and substance use disorders in northern and southern California. To learn more about our treatment programs, you can on our 24/7 Admissions helpline at 833-AKUA-NOW for a confidential assessment.
24/7 ADMISSION HELPLINE 888-629-6707
