A common topic I’ve seen all over social media is the idea and concept of self-care. One might think self-care is taking a bath after a long day of work, while others might think it’s as simple as washing your face and brushing your teeth.
Now, what exactly does self-care mean? What could it potentially look like?
What is Self Care?
Self-care is intentionally caring for ourselves. It is engaging or refraining in activities for our overall well-being. Sounds simple right?
False. Many individuals face the daily struggle of having to take care of themselves. Some people might find it selfish or not having enough time in the
My definition of Self Care
I first ask whether I take care of myself or not, followed by what actions I take to make it happen. I believe self-care begins with self-realization. The need to want to be better than the day before. Taking care of ALL aspects of your life and not solely focusing on one. It is important to prioritize different aspects of your life but not neglect the ones lacking.
What can it potentially look like?
It is said that there are 4 areas of self-care that we can focus on:
- Emotional
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Psychological
Disclaimer: if you are not spiritual, then substitute that area of life with what you find most fitting.
What I love about it is the act of self-care is unique to every individual. It can be discouraging to see aesthetically well put together routines on Pinterest or TikTok, but their routine is NOT yours.
Below I provided 6 tips that cater to different areas of life. These are the tips that have guided me to level up when it comes to my lifestyle.
Self Care Tips
Pay attention to your health. Try new exercise methods or even switch up your diet (whether that means to indulge or overindulge).
(I was cut out of dairy entirely!)
Stay connected! Reach out to friends regularly or when it best fits your schedule. It’s never too late.
(Send a text, make a phone call, send a meme…)
Keep your mind stimulated. Learn a new craft, read more, and learn to let go of things that no longer serve you.
(I now read every night before bed!)
Meditate. Meditation can be difficult to master, especially for beginners. It took me months to figure out what works best for me, but once I had a set routine, I can honestly say it has leveled out my overall energy and brings me a sense of peace.
(My advice is to keep practicing, you’ll get the hang of it, I promise!)
Confront your emotions and express how you truly feel. If your angry, sad, or even anxious, don’t suppress those feelings. Talk to someone you trust and let it out!
(Do this as you see fit. Just make sure it isn’t anything too destructive)
Journaling! Write, make lists, talk about your day. Setting aside 5-10 minutes a day to let out frustrations or simply writing affirmations can affect your mood.
(Start small and work your way up to over 5-10 minutes. Write about anything.)
Most importantly don’t forget to ask for help. Ask questions, play around with it! It’s okay to be discouraged at times, but do not let it prevent you from thinking change can’t be made. Taking care of yourself for yourself is not selfish. It is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Always remember that self-care is mandatory, not optional.
