What is self care exactly? Depending on who you ask, the answer will be different. Ultimately, it comes down to what it means for each one of us. With that said, self care has become synonymous with pampering, with many believing that caring for the self means plenty of hot bubble baths and massage. While pampering certainly plays a part in the process, it is just one of many facets that allow us to truly take care of ourselves.
Literally, self care means just what it says on the box: caring for the self. That means taking care of the mind, body, and soul. It means making sure that your numerous needs are met, in order to live your best life. Although it plays an important role in overall health and well-being, it also plays a crucial role in the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and burnout. Without a proper routine in place, it becomes far harder to find relief and learn to find healthy coping strategies. Working hand-in-hand with therapy, medication, and other strategies, you could think of this approach as equipping you with the tools that hold everything together.
When asking yourself, "what is self care", it always helps to step back and consider where you are in this moment, right now. If you are dealing with panic attacks, facing a great deal of stress at work or as a mom, battling with apathy and exhaustion or simply feeling stuck, it could mean active strategies designed manage underlying issues.
If you are generally content in life, caring for yourself could mean maintaining your happiness on a daily basis. Each one of us will have our own strategy that is designed to meet our unique needs. It is not a one-size-fits-all thing or a quick fix. It is not a band-aid, either, allowing you to cover up unresolved problems or escape.
What is self care all about, then? In short, it is about YOU. It is about:
- Valuing yourself and your needs.
- Investing in yourself.
- Looking after yourself.
- Setting boundaries.
- Learning to love yourself.
- Seeing your full potential.
- Giving yourself permission to heal.
- Being kind to yourself.
As you start prioritising yourself and learn to start dealing with stress in a doable, realistic way, you will soon begin to see the effects of looking after yourself, mind, body and soul. Take the first step on your journey back to yourself and find out what self care is all about.