What exactly is self-care? Let’s look at the word itself first; we have a self, a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from another. Next, we have care, which is the provision of what is necessary for the health welfare and protection of someone. Now let’s look at this: you are your being and must take care of your basic needs. Just want those basic needs? Let’s look at the hierarchy of these basic needs and see where Self-Care fits, as you see in the chart. Self-Care falls among the three primary human needs, physical, safety, and emotional.
It seems funny to me that people nowadays are so worried about self-care, yet they are so selfish. I see articles, pictures, and things helping others care for themselves. Yet it’s essential, a part of life; we all need to take care of ourselves first before we can take care of others. For example, what are they telling you to do if you’re flying on an airplane and those oxygen masks come down because of an emergency? They advise you to put the show on yourself first before you can help another. But, come on, people use some common sense; it doesn’t take very long to do something for yourself.
Here are some ideas that are so basic you will smack yourself for not knowing them sooner.
- Get a good night’s sleep, not at night; get at least 5 to 7 hours daily. Plus, taking a cat nap doesn’t hurt if you’re tired throughout the day, and you’ll feel much better.
- Have a well-balanced diet, not necessarily three meals a day. Just make sure you’re well-hydrated with low sugar and low salt. It’s simple: eat what you want; follow those two basic rules.
- Get some exercise; in today’s society, we sit in our chairs, play on our computers and phones, and watch TV. Set your alarm, get up, walk around, that’s it. Or make a short to-do list and when you are done, go for a run.
- Go outside for some fresh air; who cares if it’s cold, who cares if it’s hot? Just go outside at least three times a week. Get up early to see the sun and get some natural vitamin D.
Next is a Simple Guide to help you start your very own Self-Care Routine.
Self-care is essential for both mental and physical wellness. It fosters a healthy lifestyle, which ensures that your body functions optimally. Self-care involves self-love, self-respect, self-awareness, and self-understanding. In other words, it consists in doing what you feel is suitable for your health. Although self-care may be elusive, especially if you have a hectic schedule, it is important to note that prioritizing your needs is essential for your wellness. This article explores a few steps to guide you in incorporating self-care into your busy schedule.
Healthy Eating
Healthy eating ensures that your body gets adequate nutrients to function optimally. The nutrients reduce your vulnerability to diseases and infections by keeping your immune system strong. It is essential to plan your diet to incorporate carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients necessary for body processes. For example, avoid fries and other foods that raise the level of cholesterol in your body. Any cholesterol surplus in the body is deposited as fats, which are harmful to your body. It is crucial to adopt a balanced diet to avoid too little or too much of a particular nutrient in your body.
Healthy eating may also involve avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Too much alcohol has various side effects, including alcohol addiction and dehydration. Alcohol addiction may be challenging to treat, especially when you begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Alcoholism may affect your social and economic lifestyle.
Healthy Sleep
Getting perfect sleep should be an essential part of your daily schedule. Perfect sleep relieves stress and improves your cognitive ability by eliminating mental fatigue. Since every person is unique, determining how long proper sleep should last may be challenging. However, scientists generally recommend that you should sleep 7 to 8 hours a night. You can know that you lack good sleep if you experience certain signs and symptoms, including mood swings, sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, hallucinations, memory problems, and disrupted sleep cycles.
Meditation
Meditation helps you with your inner self. It alleviates stress and allows your mind to focus on valuable things. Meditation also fosters self-awareness and self-compassion. When meditating, focus on the good things you have achieved in your life. Avoid thinking about past adverse events because it distracts your focus on essential aspects of your life.
Proper Exercises
Proper physical exercises should not be too light or too heavy and should be done regularly. Activities ensure good self-care by keeping your circulatory system efficient. When the blood in your body flows optimally, nutrients and oxygen are transported adequately in the body to keep you healthy. Proper exercises also boost your cognitive ability by ensuring increased blood supply to the brain. Additionally, it keeps your body healthy by toning your muscles and burning fat deposits in your body. To make the results of regular exercises even better, accompany your workout plan with a proper diet plan.
In a nutshell, it is crucial to understand that you may not live to care for your loved ones if you fail to care for yourself. Therefore, you must avoid conforming to environmental and situational demands that compromise your self-care. Instead, think and act in a way that promotes self-care.
So, stop worrying about your self-care. Everyone has trouble taking care of themselves because we make it too hard. It’s not selfish; it’s a basic human need. Don’t think of it as taking 5 minutes out of your day; make it part of your day.
OK, here is my take on self-care, a simple guide to get you started; want to learn more, then check out this informative article on Yoga and Meditation for Self-Care.