The Basics of Self-Care

Self-care is a hot topic right now, and we think that’s a good thing. We talk about it, and we encourage it. But what is it exactly?

Self-care is intentionally engaging in activities to meet your needs in different aspects of life. Experts divide self-care into several different categories including physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, or spiritual needs.

It’s sometimes easy to assume that we all take care of ourselves daily, but often the demands of life take over and self-care gets overlooked. Without even realizing it, we neglect self-care because we don’t view it as an immediate need. But focusing on your health in all aspects of your life now will reap many benefits in the future. When you take the time to engage in self-care, you lower stress levels, increase positive feelings and build confidence. The more regularly you practice self-care, the more benefits you will see.

Here are some ideas to get you started on your self-care journey. Start by committing to trying some of these and finding what helps you most, then make a habit of it.

Exercise

Lace up your shoes and get moving. Whether an hour at the gym or a brisk walk in your neighborhood, exercise benefits your mind and your body. 

Deep Breathing

Slowing down and doing deep breathing exercises lowers your blood pressure, decreases your stress, improves digestion, and can lessen pain. You can simply close your eyes and take some slow, deep breaths at your desk or move to a quiet spot in your home or office for some focused breathing.

Saying No

Sometimes caring for yourself means not allowing your schedule to become overwhelming or choosing to remove sources of stress in your life. It’s okay to say no to protect your own wellness.

Journaling

Grab an inspiring notebook and make a list of blessings in your life, or record a few simple sentences each day to reflect on your feelings. There’s no right or wrong way to journal, so grab a notebook and an awesome pen and just start writing.

Meditation

By practicing meditation regularly, you can increase creativity and decrease anxiety, as well as improve memory and sleep. There are lots of free or low-cost apps to help you get started with meditating. 

Massage 

Schedule regular massages to maximum benefits, which can include reduced pain, better sleep, and less stress overall. We might be a little partial to this particular self-care practice, but we know the scientific benefits of massage and think everyone can benefit from them. 

Self-care is an important part of taking care of ourselves, and we hope you’ll try some of these self-care practices to find out what works best for you!