The Basics of Self-Care
It’s essential, now more than ever, to practice self-care, especially as we are practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self Care Forum defines self-care as “the actions that individuals take for themselves, on behalf of and with others in order to develop, protect, maintain and improve their health, wellbeing or wellness.”
The topic of self-care can be confusing, so we wanted to provide you with some information about what self-care is and what it isn’t, so we can take better care of our mental health during this time.
what self-care is and what it isn’t
Thelist.com gives great examples distinguishing between what self-care is, and what self-care isn’t:
Not SELF-CARE
Trying to impress people by overextending yourself
Frequent mindless snacking on foods that will make you feel worse
Zoning out in front of reality shows all night then sleeping late
Engaging in "retail therapy" without any regard to your budget
Pushing yourself past your limits in the name of appearance
Going out all the time at the expense of other things important to you
SELF CARE
Accepting help
Allowing yourself an occasional "treat" like an ice cream cone with friends
Getting enough rest and relaxation
Dressing in a way that makes you feel good
Scheduling time for exercise
Making time for a "friend date"
Self-Care vs. Numbing
Practicing self-care isn’t numbing yourself with unhealthy habits to make you feel better in the short term, but something that will benefit your health and well-being in the long-term.
Gracy Obuchowicz, self-care coach explains: “Self-care is something that when you do it, you wake up the next morning feeling better, while numbing is something that when you wake up the next day, you think, ‘Maybe I didn’t need that extra glass of wine or dessert.'”
Take care of your body
It’s not always easy - but it’s important to try to practice some form of self-care every day in order to take care of our mental health. Just as it’s important to take care of our mental health in order to practice self-care, it’s essential to take care of our physical health, since mental and physical health go hand-in-hand.
Take care of and nurture your body by doing things like getting adequate amounts of sleep, eating healthy meals, exercising, staying hydrated and taking medications as prescribed. It is essential to take care of your body, especially when our routines change. You may need to make adjustments given the current situation. For example, even if you aren’t able to go to a workout class, you can still go on a walk outside and there are many free online fitness classes available.
Self Care Looks Different for Everyone
Contrary to what many people may think, you don’t need a lot of time or money to practice self care. It shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions; it’s something we can incorporate into our daily lives.
Here are a few examples of what self care could look like for you.
Write in a journal
Read
Take a walk outside
Do some gentle stretches
Call a friend or family member
Listen to music
Light a candle
Listen to a guided meditation
Maybe you prefer to practice self care by being alone and listening to a guided meditation, or maybe you prefer calling a friend. The truth is, self care looks different for everyone. This image gives a lot of great examples of ways to “take a break” and practice self care.
Be Patient With Yourself
Whatever you do, especially during this challenging time, make sure to be patient with yourself. Even if you make one simple step to practice self care, you should be proud of yourself for taking initiative and prioritizing your mental health.