In other words, self-care consists of the specific choices and behaviors that, over time, lead to better well-being. Most of us are familiar with the importance of taking care of our physical well-being: getting enough sleep, drinking water, eating nutrient-rich foods and moving our bodies. Taking care of yourself means taking the time you need to do things that help you live well and improve your physical and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, reduce your risk of getting sick, and increase your energy.
Even small acts of self-care in daily life can have a big impact. Each of us has our own stress triggers. Whether it's worrying about a work project or meeting, about child care tasks, or personal issues, it's important to identify what these problems are and how you can help yourself to cope with them when needed. Self-care, part of supporting your overall well-being, is active participation in maintaining or improving your physical and mental health.
There are many ways to improve one or both of these components to make you feel better. My first recommendation is always to start by improving physical well-being by increasing physical personal care. In addition, while self-care doesn't cure mental illness, understanding what causes or triggers mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help you manage your mental health. Self-care can play a role in maintaining mental health and helping to support treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
However, some have felt that talking about “self-care” has failed a bit and that the pressure to “take care of themselves” has inadvertently created anxiety and guilt. The focus on self-care over the past few years has inspired many of us to take better care of ourselves, which is exactly the point. Self-care, in its most simplistic definition, includes the behaviors, activities, and skills that are used to take care of yourself. Self-care can increase your quality of life and maximize your potential to achieve your work and personal goals.
