Never really engaging in self-care, I had no idea what to expect, write, or suggest about it. I've been to enough treatment facilities that encouraged self-care, but I always believed I didn't deserve it, so I wouldn't even try.
But learning that self-care lowers stress levels, helps maintain focus on recovery, and helps boost personal happiness, I knew that whether I believed I deserved self-care or not, I was going to "fake it till I make it"; I was going to act like I deserved it. But where to begin?
First, the website Psych Central defines self care as "any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health."
I appreciate the word used here: deliberately. It implies an action that is not easy and for which planning will be needed. It has to be a calculated, deliberate act of treating ourselves to a special activity in order for self-care to be effective.
For many of us, there is a learning curve because self-care doesn't come naturally. It doesn't feel normal. We are more prone to hurting ourselves than to taking care of ourselves.
After thinking about self-care and doing some research, I came across the above image exploring different types of self-care. Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Practical, Social, and Financial. The list is brilliant in breaking down the types of self care and provides examples and suggestions on implementing it. For instance, under Social Self-Care, the idea to work on friendships is given. Perhaps you may call up an old friend or acquaintance and prepare some questions you'd like to ask him or her over coffee or tea. If hanging out with someone is too overwhelming, maybe you could send them a text, let them know you are thinking of him or her. You could even investigate some clubs or groups you could join where people have similar interests.
The idea is to just do something. Let's get out of our comfort zones and deliberately plan an activity that might make us feel better.
The idea is to just do something. Let's get out of our comfort zones and deliberately plan an activity that might make us feel better.
I am deliberately choosing to use Practical Self-Care by vacuuming my apartment this weekend. I love the feeling I get when my home is clean, so this activity will help me accomplish something that makes me feel good and calms. What about you?
I'd love to hear from you.
Does self-care come easy or hard for you?
What is one deliberate act of self-care you can take to make yourself feel better?
What are some of your ideas on how you take care of yourself?
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