Self-Care That Really Works

Self-care is a tool that’s often discussed in therapy which has now become popular in main stream culture. Social media posts, blogs, and advertisements talk about the benefits of self-care while showing pictures of bubble baths and spa days. But what is self-care really?

Self-care is often thought of as a break to relax and enjoy yourself. But the truth is self-care is not about escaping your day-to-day life for a few moments; it’s about building routines that help you function better and experience wholeness every day.  

Think of it as creating an eating plan and filling it with food that will not only be enjoyable but healthy too. It can include a variety of activities and should be customized to your interests and abilities. These activities usually fall into the following categories. 

Sleep: Create rhythms that will help you get the optimum amount of sleep. Use calming music or a nighttime meditation. Keep a notepad where you write down a to-do list to clear your mind. Keep the same bedtime each day. Drink a cup of decaf tea or read. Turn off electronics.  

Eat: Work with your doctor to determine the best nutrition plan for you. Pay close attention to any health risks or diagnoses (like heart disease or diabetes). Try recipes to discover ones that are both healthy and delicious. Limit your alcohol intake and substance use. 

Move: Movement is crucial to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Find what you enjoy and incorporate it into your daily routine; whether that is working out in a gym, dancing it out, walking around the neighborhood, swimming, or gardening there’s something for everyone. 

Create: Utilizing our capacity for imagination and flexibility is critical for keeping our mind sharp. So find what you enjoy—write, draw, play an instrument, sing, knit, take photos, act, or paint. You could also decorate a room in your home, rebuild an old car, or garden. 

Relate: Spending time with others is critical to our wellbeing, so be sure to schedule time with family and friends. At the same time, an important part of relating is setting healthy boundaries—learning to say no, avoiding toxic people, and unplugging from social media.

Explore: Part of caring for ourselves includes tending to our own growth. Exploring new things is critical to this. Read a book, learn a new language, discover a hidden local gem, attend a festival or concert, try a new hobby or recipe, or even just take a new route to work.

By making time for self-care, we can improve our emotional, physical, relational, and mental health. Of course, this type of care doesn’t happen by chance. That’s why it’s important to create and stick to a plan—not just for a few moments, but for a lifetime.