Self-Care is a powerful, ongoing process that can be practiced in both physical and psychosocial ways. There are virtually unlimited ways to begin taking care of you.
To begin establishing self-care habits, it is important to know and accept yourself. Start by identifying what you like and dislike, as well as what makes you happy.
Examples of Self-Care Habits:
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Eat at the same time as much as is possible.
Choose fresh instead of processed foods as often as possible.
Find exercise you enjoy and practice it routinely at least 3-4 times weekly.
Incorporate activities that you enjoy and are passionate about into your lifestyle.
Physical Self-Care:
When you are physically active, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. In other words, you feel good. Furthermore, when you move your body in a way that is fun and enjoyable, this also provides an outlet from everyday life. Incorporate physical activities that you enjoy, such as:
Walking, running, road or mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, playing tennis, golfing, skiing, rollerblading, dancing, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, yoga, Pilates, or martial arts.
Other physical forms of self-care to consider are activities that help let your mind rest, such as:
Facials
Manicures and or pedicures
Massages
Hot Baths or showers
Stretching
Dancing to music for a few minutes
Physical Self-Care:
Self-care practices can be very effective in managing stress. Consider how you might incorporate these types of psychosocial activities into your healthy self-care routine:
Watch movies, read, color, paint, play games, work on a puzzle, cook, review positive self-affirmations, write in a daily gratitude journal, meditate, garden, or volunteer with a community or church group, call a loved one, declutter your living space, create a Pinterest board, or take a class to learn a new skill
What are some self-care activities you would like to try?
Additional Tips:
Allow yourself to be less self-critical. No one is perfect, you don’t have to be either.
Accept help from others when needed and support others when they need you as well. For example, spend time listening to a friend, help them accomplish a task, or support them in achieving a goal.
Take action. Just reading about self-care won’t make it happen. Commit to making small changes over time and stay consistent.
Measure your successes. Keep a calendar or journal to record the activities you choose to incorporate into your lifestyle. Review it at every month, quarter, and/or year to track how you are progressing.
Learn more about self-care practices and how they can benefit your situation.
Below are some resources that might be helpful in inspiring more self-help ideas:
Books:
Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero, The Self Love Workbook by Shainna Ali
Podcasts:
A Little Bit of Everything and All Things Possible Podcast by Kristina Crowley, The Self-Care Podcast, Self-Care with The Mindful Tech Lab
Audiobooks:
The Self-Care Prescription by Dr. Robyn L. Gobin, The Self-Care Solution by Dr. Jennifer Ashton, The Art of Extreme Self Care by Cheryl Richardson, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
References:
Davis, Tchiki. (2018, December 28). Self-Care: 12 Ways to Take Better Care of Yourself. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Retrieved from: https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/physical-activity-guidelines-for-americans/index.html
Williams, Florence. (2017). The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative. W. W. Norton and Company.
© inHealth Medical Services, Inc. 2020