Today is International Self-Care Day. So what exactly is self-care, and how do you ensure that you’re making your health and well-being a priority? There are many things that are not self-care, so it’s crucial to determine what works for you. Here are some things to think about when determining the best self-care solutions for you.
What is Self-Care?
Self-care refers to activities and practices individuals engage in to promote their overall well-being, maintain their physical and mental health, and reduce stress. This involves intentionally addressing personal needs and nurturing one’s physical, emotional, and psychological health.
Self-care can take many forms and may vary depending on individual preferences and circumstances. Here are some common acts of self-care.
- Physical Self-Care: Physical Self-Care includes activities focusing on caring for your physical body. It involves getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, practicing good hygiene, and attending to medical needs.
- Emotional Self-Care: Emotional self-care involves recognizing and acknowledging your emotions, expressing them constructively, and engaging in activities promoting emotional well-being. This can include journaling, practicing mindfulness or meditation, engaging in hobbies or creative outlets, seeking therapy or counseling when needed, and connecting with supportive friends or loved ones.
- Mental Self-Care: Mental self-care involves activities that support your cognitive well-being and mental health. This may include engaging in activities that stimulate your mind, such as reading, learning new things, engaging in puzzles or brain games, practicing stress management techniques, setting healthy boundaries, and avoiding excessive stress or overload.
- Social Self-Care: Social self-care emphasizes nurturing healthy relationships and connections with others. It involves spending quality time with family and friends, seeking social support when needed, participating in social activities or groups that align with your interests, or cultivating meaningful relationships.
- Spiritual Self-Care: Spiritual self-care focuses on nurturing your spiritual or inner beliefs. This can involve participating in religious or spiritual practices, spending time in nature, practicing meditation or mindfulness, reflecting on personal values and beliefs, or engaging in activities that provide a sense of purpose or meaning.
- Leisure and Recreational Self-Care: Taking time for leisure and recreational activities is essential for self-care. Engaging in hobbies, pursuing interests, participating in enjoyable activities, and allowing yourself time for relaxation contribute to overall well-being and stress reduction.
Remember that self-care is highly individualized, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is essential to listen to your needs and recognize your preferences to engage in activities that genuinely support your well-being. Practicing self-care regularly can help recharge and rejuvenate you, enhance resilience, and improve your overall quality of life.
What is Not Self-Care
As self-care has become more normalized to talk about, we have learned that not all self-care is created equal. Self-care isn’t just about taking a bubble bath or going for a walk when your family or job is driving you up the wall. It’s a holistic approach to ensuring that you have everything you need to take care of yourself, including access to mental and emotional healthcare.
Rather than focusing on the minutia of self-care, such as individual activities, see how you can integrate those habits into your overall lifestyle. For example, yoga isn’t necessarily self-care. It won’t solve all your problems, but making time for regular yoga practice will help you learn to schedule emotional well-being and make yourself a priority.
Resources for Health and Well-being in Asheville
Speaking of Yoga, Asheville is a great place to start a regular yoga practice. There are studios everywhere, so you can make time to fit it into your schedule. Nature is also an excellent healer, so get outside to enjoy everything WNC has to offer. Go for a solo hike or invite a friend for social time. Check out Wake Foot Sanctuary at the Grove Arcade if you want a mini escape. It is imperative to make wellness a priority in your life.
Mental Health and Self-Care
Mental health care is a vital part of your self-care process. This can be challenging because we often don’t want to admit that we need help in this capacity or feel we may be perceived as weak if we seek out guidance. However, it’s essential as you can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t care for yourself first. When talking to a therapist in the area, you’ll find that they are also facing challenges as more people are seeking care, and they have less capacity for new patients.
One possible solution is to check out some of the online therapy platforms, like BetterHelp. This tool works off an online platform and is based on a subscription model (you can cancel anytime.)
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