What Does Self-Care Really Mean?

by Arlene Starr April 13, 2022

We hear the word self-care like almost everyday. But what is self-care?

Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Its a very important practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.

Although it's a simple concept in theory, it's something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety.

Taking time for yourself to slow down and enjoy life is often easy to dismiss as everyday life takes over.

You might feel it’s selfish or you don’t have time to slow down and enjoy yourself or perhaps you just don’t even know where to start.

HERE ARE SOME REASONS AND BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING SELF-CARE PRACTICES.

1. Slowing down makes you more productive.

Slowing down can take many forms. Maybe it is saying no to commitments that don’t serve you, carving out time in your day for yoga or coffee with a friend or simply taking a few deep breaths before a meeting. All of these actions bring us back to the present moment and help us to re-focus on what is TRULY important. self care reduces stress and anxiety and allow us to find calm and peace for our mind, body and soul. Make the number one thing on your to do list , You.

2. Boosts Happiness & Joy.

Stop for a moment and think how you feel just after a yoga class or a nice massage. You feel calm and happy right? Self-care can assist in activating those “feel good chemicals” in the brain, endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine.

3. You’ll find out who you really are.

How many times do you stop and think, what do I LOVE to do. What really lights me up? What can I do for myself that makes me feel good. A few of us can answer this pretty easily, but many cannot. we need to reconnect to our younger selves and how use to fell, not because we are adults mean we are to stop being happy and joyful. As my world opened up to self-care, what it was, and the importance of it, I have completely re-connected with myself. I can now answer those questions without any doubt AND I know what I need to do when I’m feeling out of alignment.

HERE ARE 11 WAYS YOU CAN PRACTICE SELF- CARE:

Relax, take a spa bath or do a mini facial or do your nails.
Get Active, a brisk walk or mini circuit will get your endorphins going.
Get Outside, sunshine is great vitamin booster for happiness
Social Activities, have tea or your favorite meal with a friend or family.
Creative Outlets join a class you have not tried yet or write in your journal its a great outlet.
Write down five things every day that didn't totally suck.
Make a menu for the week.
Try that new yoga class.
Take a new route to work.
Have a mini dance party.
Take five minutes to decompress every day.
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