What is self-care?
Self care is a set of intentional actions you take to nourish, or in other words, be kind to your physical and mental well-being. The different between fun and self care is that self care makes you feel relaxed, whereas, fun energizes you.
Self-care: Are you getting enough?
Common actions of self care are:
- Getting a massage
- Giving yourself a massage
- Taking a hot bath
- Sitting in a sauna
- Going to a spa
- Getting a manicure or pedicure
- Getting a haircut
- Meditating
- Watching a movie or TV
- Spending time with family members or friends that make you feel happy
- Taking your dog for a walk
- Petting an animal
- Walking in nature
- Gardening
- Cooking and eating a wholesome meal
- Sleeping
- Listening to music you enjoy
- Sex
- Masturbation
- Reading a fiction novel
- Painting an abstract picture
- Swimming
- Sitting in a hot tub
- Travel
- Shopping
Why self-care is easy to forget about
Many self-care actions are not considered “productive” actions in North American Society. (ie. What does getting a pedicure have to do with anything?). This is why it’s also not a learned skill, it’s a choice. So, most people don’t naturally put self care in their schedules. It is easily overlooked because it is not something you have to do, or necessary for your survival. Most of us learn to do the things we have to do before what we need to do for our health because doing what we have to do ensures our survival.
A good self care rule to stick to:
At a minimum, ensure you take at least three self care actions per week to ensure a you maintain a positive mental state. At maximum consider incorporating this rule “treat yourself as you would treat a baby”. It is a good way to nourish your physical and mental state, and keep it top of mind.
When you “treat yourself as you would treat a baby” your actions are correlate, so you most likely only eat natural and wholesome foods, you make sure to dress impeccably, you go to sleep on time (or allow yourself some naps), you play and have fun, you work your body (like a baby practices their motor skills).
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