Managing Your Self-Care Mission

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Good morning!

In these hectic times, we often overlook caring for ourselves. It’s easy to go about our day thinking that our bodies will just manage themselves and that we don’t really need to put too much effort into self-care. However, caring for ourselves properly and intentionally is key to ensuring that we remain physically, emotionally, and mentally well.

Let’s take a closer look at self-care and why it’s so important for our well-being.

A Definition of Self-Care

We look after ourselves every day by eating food, drinking water, getting enough sleep, and taking baths or showers. However, self-care is different than simply just doing the necessary things to stay alive and well. Self-care is the intentional act of purposely caring for yourself to improve your physical and emotional self.

This could involve setting time aside to hang out with friends or taking some time off work to spend a couple of days relaxing at a spa. Self-care can be smaller things too, such as allowing yourself to go to bed earlier or making healthier food and drink choices.

The Importance of Self-Care

Caring for yourself is important in many ways. Not only are there many benefits to self-care, but there are also things that you won’t be able to do until you’re able to properly care for yourself.

For example, helping other people is a challenge if you’re not already taking care of yourself. To effectively help your friends and family who may be struggling with their own personal lives and health, you must be in the best shape. This also means putting yourself first in many ways, such as getting enough sleep rather than staying up to help other people.

In terms of benefits to yourself, self-care is important in many ways. Not only can it improve your immune system, but you may feel more energetic. It’s also a terrific way to clarify what does or doesn’t work for you.

How Do I Start?

Depending on how you feel now, you can experiment with various levels of self-care. Make a list of the things you believe that your body needs and create a lengthy list of your care priorities. This could include eating better foods, taking more supplements, making more time for yourself, or getting some extra sleep.

4 Things That Seem Like Self-Care but Aren’t

It’s important to get into the habit of actively practicing self-care; however, there are several things that are perceived to be self-care but are actually bad for you. Making sure that you know the difference between the habits which will really help you and those which won’t is vital to ensuring you make the right choices for your health.

1. Treating Yourself with Snacks

While eating that donut or grabbing that packet of chips on the way home might seem like a treat at the time, it can actually do more harm than good. Giving your body the right foods is one of the best ways that you can look after yourself. Thus, choosing unhealthy options as a reward is never a good idea. It’s a better idea to allow yourself an occasional treat when with friends or family on a special occasion.

2. Chilling with the TV

It’s the end of a long day and lying down in front of the TV with a glass of your favorite wine seems like the perfect option. Be careful that you don’t make this a habit though. Not only is alcohol a depressant and can leave you feeling rough in the morning, but bad sleep habits can interfere with your sleep. Falling asleep with poor posture or failing to follow a proper nighttime routine will do a lot of damage in the long term.

3. Having a Wild Spending Spree

You can tell yourself that it’s time for some retail therapy, or that it’ll make you feel better. I know I have done exactly this — a long day at school or a bad argument with my then-boyfriend would lead me to go shopping at the Limited (most of you don’t remember that store!)! However, shopping without setting a budget in advance isn’t a good example of self-care. It can leave you in financial trouble for the rest of the month or year. Think ahead to truly look after yourself.

4. Skipping Your Workout

You’re exhausted and talk yourself into skipping the gym (or any other workout) to be kind to yourself. While it’s important to have a rest if you exercise intensively on a regular basis, you shouldn’t get into the habit of skipping your workout sessions just because you’ve had a busy day. Even just 15-20 minutes at the gym each day is a small step towards reaching your health and well-being goals.

It will help you to care for yourself better too.

Loving Life–The Reboot!

Dominique

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This article provides general information and discussion about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this article, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.