What is self-care? These days we hear a lot about the term ‘self-care’. Most of us don’t know much about it, and it’s often misunderstood.
Many associate it with baths and bubbles or stuffing yourself up with your favourite meal, working out and all the feel-good aspects but self-care is more than that.
So… What’s it about?
Self-care is a much broader aspect, it’s nurturing yourself, and taking proactive steps to face your emotions and issues you are going through instead of repressing them.
It is taking a pause and being present, taking steps to heal yourself and make time for yourself.
We, at times, are so caught up with responsibilities from our jobs, burdened with tasks, whether it be college assignments or work projects.
We lose touch with ourselves. Often spend our entire day with others, that we forget to spend time with the most important person, and that’s You! And during these times, self-care is a must. Most of us go through extreme stress and anxiety. Unhealthy coping mechanisms become inevitable.
This is why self-care comes into play. It’s not just taking care of your outer self but your inner self as well. A lot of people don’t take part in self-care thinking one needs a lot of time for it, but it doesn’t.
Making a tiny decision to improve yourself like practising meditation for 10 minutes, is self-care!
And there is another misconception that self-care is expensive. Self-care can be spending half an hour doing shadow work or going on a hike. You don’t need to book a fancy hotel or go abroad for a vacation. Self-care is getting in touch with yourself by doing things you love and your soul craves.
It doesn’t have to be a lavish trip to meet the crown prince of Arabia.
The best part about self-care is its minimalism and effectiveness.
So, enough chit chat about self-care, well how does one really incorporate it? There are PLENTY of ways you can indulge in self-care.
I have categorized them into 3 parts.
INTRINSIC SELF CARE:
This is what I call self-care for your ‘soul’.
It’s getting in touch with your inner self. Coming to terms and accepting your past, facing your emotions head-on, getting rid of your anxieties regarding your future, it’s living in the present.
There are various ways you can practice this like:
- Pouring your emotions and feelings into your journal.
- Crying, and letting go of your repressed emotions.
- Seeking therapy.
- It can even be lying in your bed, cuddling up under your blanket listening to your favourite music.
- Focusing on your breath.
- Indulging in any activity that makes you happy, that makes you laugh.
- Introspection.
EXTRINSIC SELF CARE
It’s Self-care for your body, it can be anything that brings you health and wealth, having a healthy routine, creating good habits etc. Some examples of them are:
- Dancing to your favourite song, even if it’s in the middle of the night.
- Practising yoga, hitting the gym (and I mean consistently xD)
- Spending a day at the spa or giving yourself a facial at home.
- Going for a run in the countryside or the park.
- Ensuring you get 8 hours of sleep.
- Maintaining a healthy diet and so on..
SOCIAL SELF CARE
We, humans, are social animals, it’s important we maintain good bonds with people, we can’t deny the fact that at times we do feel lonely.
Even though during this day and age, our phones have interconnected millions of people around the world!
Ironically the amount of people suffering from loneliness has also increased.
Spending time with friends and families can alleviate your mood and bring a sense of meaning and happiness to your life.
- Schedule a date with a friend you have been meaning to meet for a long time.
- Cutting ties with negative and toxic people.
- Make new friends, meet people. It can be through organizations, clubs or even social events.
- Visit the library or engage in a sporting event! Learn something new, that’s how you meet new people.
- Message someone you haven’t been in touch with for a long time, friends or a family member. The other person would acknowledge the fact you remembered them.
There are so many ways you can take time for yourself, it all boils down to your priorities. But taking time for yourself to indulge in self-care is an investment you make towards YOU!
Start small. You will not regret it.
