What’s the Big Deal About Self-Care?
Today’s guest post comes from Brad Krause. Brad is the creator of SelfCaring.info – a website designed to help people improve their self-care practices and wellbeing. Enjoy!
If you feel like you hear about self-care everywhere lately, you’re not alone. But self-care isn’t just a fad, and it isn’t new. “self-care” is just a new way of talking about the things people do to take care of themselves — and drawing attention to just how important those simple acts are for our mental and emotional well-being.
There’s value to be found in being a little selfish. Prioritizing your personal needs doesn’t have to mean neglecting other responsibilities. In fact, it’s only by taking care of yourself that you can be the best parent, spouse, friend, or worker possible. Otherwise, you end up stressed out, burnt out, and with your mental health at stake. As the American Psychological Association points out, chronic stress contributes to mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, substance abuse. In fact, self-care has been known to aid in addiction treatment, as it often focuses on mindfulness, exercise, and taking care of your overall well-being.
That’s why it’s so important to do the simple things that improve your wellness, like eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, and scheduling downtime into your busy life. But simple as they are, these aren’t always the easiest things to do when we’re worn down and stressed out. We’d often prefer to settle in front of the television after a hard day, or to power through work to get things done. But despite those urges, spending time on self-care is more likely to improve your mood.
If you think self-care sounds overly complicated or like something you don’t have time for, you’re overthinking it. Anyone can incorporate these three self-care practices into there life.
Take Time to Unwind
There’s no doubt about it — modern lives are fast-paced and high-stress. But getting lost in the rat race is no recipe for inner peace. No matter how ready your to-do list is, find a few minutes every day for intentional relaxation. Rather than crashing on the couch, set up a quiet space in your home, such as a meditation room, where you can not only meditate, but spend time reading a passage from your favourite book, journaling, or doing another activity that soothes you. If you don’t know where to start, try one of the self-care suggestions from Tiny Buddha.
Say No to Toxicity
Is there something — or someone — in your life that brings you down every time you encounter it? Rather than letting this outside element hold such power over you, can you cut it out? While we can’t avoid every source of stress in our lives, it’s important to reduce unnecessary sources of unhappiness. So while you probably shouldn’t quit your job tomorrow, you should reconsider saying yes to unpaid overtime, hanging out with that toxic friend, or visiting that old haunt that only brings up bad memories. It’s important to manage your environment to avoid triggers, negative influences, and undue stress.
Seek Positivity
Avoiding negativity isn’t enough. You also need to pursue the things that bring joy to your life. Cultivate hobbies, spend time being present with friends and family, and do the little things that make you feel like you. It can be anything from an international vacation to a cup of tea; the important thing is that it transports you away from stress and toward peace and gratitude. And if you find you’re routinely unhappy with your path in life, reassess it. Everyone deserves a fulfilling life, and it’s never too late to make a change for the better.
Yes, self-care can include green smoothies, manicures, and shopping trips. But more importantly, self-care should look like fulfilling hobbies, supportive relationships, and space to breathe. If you feel like life is running you ragged, it’s time to ask yourself if you’re making enough time for self-care.
Image via Unsplash
About the Author
Brad Krause graduated from college in 2010 and went straight to the corporate world at the headquarters of a popular retail company. But what started as a dream job soured quickly. After four years of working 15-hour days and neglecting his health, he decided enough was enough. Through aiding a friend during a tough time, Brad discovered his real calling-helping people implement self-care practices that improve their overall wellbeing. He created SelfCaring.info to share his own knowledge and the many great resources he finds on his self-care journey.
