Monday Summer Self-Care Series: Taking Care of YOU!

Self-care is an essential component of health and wellness. So, why do we sometimes view self-care as selfish? It is anything but. You can only take care of your loved ones as well as you take care of yourself, a point driven home by the flight attendant on a recent business trip.

Who can’t recite the attendant’s safety speech?

In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will drop from the top of the cabin. If you are traveling with a child, please place the mask on the child first before placing it on yourself.

Although it is sometimes counter-intuitive to put our own needs before the needs of others, self-care is critical not only for our own well-being but also for the welfare of those we love.

So, what is self-care?

What is Self-Care?

By its very definition, self-care is subject to individual interpretation. But generally speaking, most would agree that:

Self-Care includes the actions individuals and carers [caregivers] take for themselves, their children, their families and others to stay fit and maintain good physical and mental health; meet social and psychological needs; prevent illness or accidents; care for minor ailments and long-term conditions; and maintain health and well-being after acute illness or discharge from hospital. (UK Department of Health, 2005)

Let me ask you. What steps do you need to take to maintain good physical, mental, and relational health?

Taking Care of You!

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to self-care, start with these few simple steps:

Step 1: Write down what nurtures you and fills you with delight.

What makes your heart sing? Don’t censor yourself. For me, that includes meaningful conversations with friends, Pilates, reading, writing, and gourmet coffee. Your list might include taking a painting class, sharing a glass of wine with a friend, or any number of other possibilities. List them all. You can always prune your list later.

Step 2: List what drains you, i.e., activities, people, and places that you need to avoid.

Some things just suck the life out of me, and I try to be intentional about limiting or avoiding them all together — things like negative people, shopping malls, and large, in-person events. What things affect you negatively? How can you reduce or eliminate those things and focus your energy on what matters most?

Step 3: Are there circumstances outside of your control? Write them down.

Are you caring for aging parents? A special needs child? Do you live with chronic pain or illness? As someone who lives with chronic illness, I require more self-care than most. For example, I need 7-8 hours of sleep a night, proper nutrition, exercise, and regular massage to function optimally. What do you need to be your best self?

Step 4: Recognize you’re human and adjust as life happens.

Avoid perfectionism. If you expect to follow your plan without fail, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Life happens. And when it does, just reassess and adjust. Listen to your heart, do what’s right for you given your unique circumstances, and make any necessary adjustments along the way.

Self-care is never selfish. When we practice good self-care, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.

What does self-care look like for you?