Self care is a fascinating idea. The two word expression places stress on the personal aspect of care. Its modern usage reminds us to take time to do things that feel good. Caregivers are instructed to do it fervently. This author believes that self care is each individual’s most urgent, required maintenance. Just as routine tune ups are mandatory every few thousand miles for an auto body, so it is also for a human body. In order to create a self care routine, it is necessary to analyze one’s needs ranging from physical to social, from emotional to environmental. With those factors in mind, below are a few actionable options to inspire your daily rituals for well being.
The Love for Your Skin Regimen
Diligent care of our largest organ is a necessity for everyone. Our skin is the first line of defense against the sun, pollution, and other environmental factors that can cause visible dehydration and dullness. In an act of self care, treat yourself to something new. There’s something that happens when your skin is hydrated, beautified, cleansed, and moisturized. The practice of using the right skincare products for yourself is as ancient as Egyptian hieroglyphs. Since time immortal, the most wise of us have taken time to nourish their outward appearance. A skincare ritual as a devotion to yourself that pays off in the form of improved confidence and greater self-esteem.
The Role of Society in Self Care
Self care is a significant part of mental health. These are skills we must build for ourselves in order to lead a healthy life. However, self care can be hard to do if you don’t have a support system or community resources in place. Socializing with people can be a great way to make sure that you are taking care of yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy like going out for drinks or dinner, but could be just as simple as talking on the phone with a friend or sending them a text message. As far as social media, make an effort to keep your balance in the positive. Stop following people that don’t bring you delight and set timers to limit the amount of screen time you engage in. Your cousin will still be making cupcakes tomorrow. Being social, even online, gives you the opportunity to work out your private life in a potentially safe setting. Healthy relationships will be a source of resilience for your individual path to self love.
The Care in Servicing One’s Interior Bodywork
Self care needs will vary from person to person. However, the physical aspect of self care is consistent across the board. Taking care of your only body means getting exercise regularly, eating balanced, nutritious food, and getting good rest at night. If you’ve ever woken up from 8-10 hours of sleep and were still tired, you may be experiencing sleep disturbances. If you snore or kick yourself awake frequently, it could be diagnosed as apnea events. Severity-wise, even two or three episodes of not breathing in a single night will have a domino effect on your next day, week, month, lifetime. Routine doctor’s visits come highly recommended as a self care ritual, as well. Bring up your sleep patterns at your next visit. There are insurance-covered devices and instruments to enable supported sleep for you. Imagine how you’ll feel then.
In summary, these self care exercises are just the tipping point of amazing things you can do for yourself to top off those fluids and get that check engine light turned off. Compared to other decisions one makes on a daily basis, the decision to care for yourself won’t have nearly as many prickly consequences. When Egyptians of antiquity would painstakingly write down their preferred foot massage methods, they were of a similar mindset: You won’t be able to fill anyone else’s cup if your well is empty. Fill yourself with treatment but don’t forget those challenges just for your benefit.