While you are supporting and helping someone who may be in crisis, it is especially important for you to also take care of yourself. Practicing self-care does not mean you are choosing yourself over your loved one. It means that you are simply being mindful of your own needs, so you are better able to support the people you care about. When you take care of yourself and are not stressed, you are better able to meet the needs of others. Self-care comes in a variety of forms. It does not require an elaborate plan; self-care can be as simple as taking a deep breath when you notice you are becoming stressed. By maintaining your physical and mental health, you will likely be better equipped to handle the stressors that come along with supporting someone you care about.
First, let us discuss what is self-care? While its popularity in common parlance might be recent, self-care is not a new concept. Nor is it complex, lofty, or exclusive. Self-care is just what it sounds like: taking care of yourself. Self-care is the practice of consciously doing things that preserve or improve your mental or physical health. These days, when people talk about self-care they are generally talking about the conscious and deliberate choice to do something that looks after you and your wellbeing. This covers the mental and the physical, and a regime of self-care should improve the way you feel in body and mind.
Then what are good examples of self-care? This question is a little harder to answer because self-care is different for everyone. Itâs about looking after yourself mentally and physically, and everyone has different needs. Really, anything you do for yourself that makes yourself feel better or cared for can be considered self-care. This could be making sure to floss regularly, it could be taking time to yourself when you need it, it could be getting a new haircut. The term self-care is also used in the medical community to refer to individuals taking charge of their own health. This includes everything from making healthy lifestyle choices to taking an active part in managing long-term conditions.
How do you take care of yourself without stressing your wallet? Self-care doesnât have to cost the earth. Here are some of our top tips for self-care that wonât break the bank:
- Get a good nightâs sleep.
- Drink lots of water
- Go for a brisk walk.
- Take a relaxing bath.
- Say no to something you donât want to do.
- Listen to your favorite music.
- Watch your favorite film.
- Make something healthy yet delicious for dinner.
- Make a list of five or more things you like about yourself.
- Spend time with loved ones.
Why is self-care important and what are its benefits?
Self-care is an important part of living a healthy and happy lifestyle. Looking after yourself both mentally and physically is crucial to taking control of your health. We lead increasingly busy lives, and it can be easy to forget to put yourself first, especially if you have multiple responsibilities and other people to care for. But looking after yourself will make you feel better, and the better you feel, the better you will be in all areas of your life â from work to relationships. Self-care does not have to involve a huge time commitment and it doesnât have to cost the earth. It could be taking a bath, relaxing with a good book, taking a walk outside or eating your favorite food. Itâs about making a commitment to putting yourself first, even just for a while.
Self-care has a few benefits, most of which are interlinked. Committing to self-care should improve your wellbeing all round.
Self-care can improve your physical health. A big part of self-care is committing to looking after your body and becoming more attuned with its needs. Whether itâs brushing your teeth, exercising more, or getting enough sleep each night, part of any programmed of self-care should focus on looking after your physical health.
Self-care can reduce stress and anxiety. Making time for relaxing activities, such as taking a warm bath, listening to music or practicing yoga or meditation, is another common theme of self-care. Any activity that makes you feel more relaxed can help to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and to lift your mood.
Self-care can boost your self-esteem. As well as helping to calm your nerves, taking time to relax and look after yourself can have a positive impact on the way you see yourself: treating yourself with kindness can make you look upon yourself kindlier. Studies have found that people with higher self-esteem find it easier to deal with setbacks and are more likely to achieve goals of self-improvement.