What is self-care?
Self-care is a job that you do for yourself to stay healthy mentally and physically. Self-care is a safe place for your soul. It makes you feel happy inside-out.
You choose yourself by doing self-care. You shouldn't rely on others to take care of yourself, it’s your duty.
Self-care is like finding new ways to love yourself.
Why self-care is important?
You are not a machine you're supposed to take days off. You deserve to rest.
It’s your job to take care of your body and your mind. Self-care requires believing in your ability to be great for yourself. It is necessary to be both mentally and physically healthy.
Let it go, the pain, the hate, the fear, the regret, the anger. Just permit yourself to be selfish for yourself and not for others because you deserve love, care that feels like a safer place for your soul.
It's okay to be alone. It's fine if you don't know what you gonna do next. It's okay if you aren't ready for something. It's okay if you feel exhausted today. Yes, life is hard and busy, every one of us is struggling in our own lives.
Caring for ourselves should be our job to make us feel happy and healthy.
It makes you feel energetic and more productive.
Dimensions of self-care
• PHYSICAL SELF CARE
Physical self-care involves fitness, eating healthy, sleeping habits, and hydration. When you practice physical self-care activities, it makes you more energetic and improves your self-esteem.
• EMOTIONAL SELF CARE
Emotional self-care involves ‘me-time. It involves taking care of your feelings and emotions. It includes cope up with your challenges.
It involves happiness level, stress level, spending time with your loved ones.
• SPIRITUAL SELF CARE
Spiritual self-care makes your soul a safer place to live. It involves values and beliefs that give you purpose in life, prayers, and meditation.
• SOCIAL SELF CARE
Social self-care involves surrounding by people that help you grow, helps you in guidance.
It is important to create a bond with others.
• INTELLECTUAL SELF CARE
Intellectual self-care means involving in activities that help you in personal growth and sharpen your mind.
Some self-care tips to improve overall health and wellness
1. Regular exercise
Exercising daily is important for your physical and mental health. It reduces stress and improves your general health. It improves blood circulation and gives you better sleep.
Exercise reduces anxiety, lowers your blood pressure.
Regular exercise doesn’t always mean you have to go to the gym. It simply means:
• Walking instead of driving
• Taking stairs instead of lifts
• Do some stretches
• Take some deep breaths
• ride a bicycle
• Yoga and meditation
• Make any sport your daily routine like tennis
2. Take a good sleep
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Getting a night of good sleep is good for your mental and physical health.
Generally, 7-8 hours of sleep is enough for people. Lack of sleep can lead to health problems.
Make it a self-care routine. It helps in reducing stress.
3. Engage in activities that make you happy
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Happiness is an important aspect of life. There are so many self-care tips that can make you happy like:
• Dancing in your room
• laughing out loud
• Turn on the music and just feel it
• Feed yourself that you have been craving
• Watch your favorite movie or web series
• Painting
• Read a book you wanted to read for so long.
• Spend some time with nature
• Go shopping
4. Let a pet take care of you
Pets are the most beautiful thing in the world.
They give you happiness and joy in life. They love you unconditionally.
Especially dogs and cats can help in reducing stress and anxiety. They increase opportunities for outdoor activities.
Pets make you active in the day to day life.
5. Eat right
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Eating healthy is necessary for our mind and body. Our brain needs food to function. People love to eat burgers and pizzas but they can’t be included in self-care.
Healthy and nutritious food are necessary for a healthy life.
6. Go on a trip
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Sometimes escapism looks better than anything. Go away from your normal schedule on a weekend to feel fresh, relax, and disconnected.
Solo trips can be more fun. You can go camping, go to the mountains or beaches, or wherever your heart desires...
7. Unplug yourself
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Take a break from social media. Nowadays we are spending a lot of life on phones and laptops.
This needs to stop for some time because our brain needs rest to work at an optimum level.
8. Focus on your posture
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Having a bad posture can have negative impacts on your health. There can be many reasons which lead to poor posture such as pain, habit, your job, or can be hereditary.
Many people sit with a slouchy posture without even knowing.
Try to sit straight with shoulders blades squeezing together and hands-on thigh. Keep your head level. Holding up for 10 secs and repeat several times a day to correct your posture.
Working on your posture can improve your mood, confidence, and overall health.
9. Practice Kegel exercises
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It is important to strengthen up your pelvic floor muscles to improve your overall health.
Try to squeeze your pelvic floor muscles like you are trying to stop pee. Hold the squeeze for 5-10 secs then relax. Repeat it 10 times a day.
It prevents urinary incontinence and helps in improving sexual functions.
10. Grow plants
Growing plants can have major therapeutic effects. It boosts our mood and makes us creative.
Taking care of plants makes us happier and healthier.
By just looking at the greenery, you feel more relaxed and happier. Plants have a major role in improving our mental health.
Written by:
- Ms. Surbhi Sagar (Batch-2017)
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