By Coach Nadia Popova
According to this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed. It’s all the steps an individual can take to manage stressors in his or her life and take care of his or her own health and well-being.
Self-care requires checking in with yourself and asking yourself how you’re doing and what your body’s asking for. Some people use it to deal with difficult news stories, others just to maintain their happiness day to day. Self-care does not mean the same thing for everyone. Different people will adopt different self-care practices, and even your own definition might change over time.
It Helps You Stay Connected to Yourself
With so much going on, it’s easy to forget to check in with yourself. Are you hungry? Tired? Do you need a break from the chaos? Do you need to unplug for a bit? Taking just a few minutes each day to check in and see how you’re feeling can be a great way to stay connected to yourself. Are you stressed or anxious? If so, what can you do to change that? By regularly checking in with yourself, you’ll have a better sense of where you stand physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Self-care is not one size fits all, and it’s not something you do once and then forget about. In order for self-care to be truly effective, you need to incorporate it into your daily life. What that looks like is entirely up to you. The benefits are many and can help you create a positive college experience that you will look back on fondly.
Why Does Self-Care Matter?
You may have heard someone say “The greatest wealth is health”. We can probably all agree that healthcare is important. If you’re sick, you take necessary steps to get better. However, we don’t have to wait for illness to eat healthier or exercise. The same goes for self-care. Don’t wait until you’re burnt out to start giving yourself some attention. Think of it like regular car maintenance which allows your car to keep cruising on. Incorporate little acts of self-care into your daily routine so that you can keep going strong.
Self-Care is Telling Yourself That it is Okay to Slow Down
Depression and anxiety are a growing condition, so allowing yourself to take a break is incredibly important. You often are asking too much of yourself; you are taught that if you can’t deliver – no matter the cost – you aren’t good enough.
Don’t believe the hype – take the time to make time for yourself, cater to your needs and know that it is necessary to take care of your needs first.
So, what should I do?
Self-care means giving yourself permission to relax mentally, physically, and spiritually. Here are a few self-care tips from our own wellness professionals:
Learn when to say “no.” Ignore the pressure to overpromise and allow yourself to turn things down. Stick with tasks that are meaningful to you. You can’t do everything for everyone — and that’s okay!
Get moving. Running, dancing, or walking can help boost your energy and recharge.
Take a minute for yourself. Practice mindfulness, create a gratitude list, or focus on a few deep breaths to help reduce stress.
Embrace a hobby. Get your creative juices flowing or find a distraction from every day stress. Some ideas include drawing, crafting, playing an instrument, or gardening.
Be kind. Say three nice things to yourself in a mirror. Give yourself a pep talk. Treat yourself to your favorite snack. Whatever you decide to do, you deserve it!
Drink More Water.
As summer temperatures rise, our bodies overheat and begin to sweat to cool down. As such, it is crucial to drink more water to stay hydrated during the summer. Every person’s individual hydration needs are different, but a good rule of thumb to shoot for is 8 cups of water each day. Try carrying a re-usable water bottle with you to work, school, or running errands to help increase your daily hydration.
Try a New Workout Routine.
Summer weather opens up new opportunities to try new workout routines you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, such as water sports. These can be done in or around the water. Examples include swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, canyoning, water rafting, fishing, and surfing.
If water sports are not an option, you can try gardening, yoga, biking, hiking, or joining a local sports team. Get your body moving and enjoy the benefits.
Self-care is completely in your hands and should form part of your daily living routines. Practicing self-care will help you maintain good physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being. Add the above tips as part of your summer self-care routine to improve your overall mood and mental health.
If you need help improving or establishing your Self-Care Routine “Send Me A Trainer” can help. We have been helping our community to get healthy for almost 10 years and will be happy to help you as well. To get our Free Assessment/Consultation please call or text (760) 880-9904
