In 1998, the World Health Organization defined self-care as “Self-care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and treat diseases. It is a broad concept that covers hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of the food consumed), lifestyle (sports activities, leisure, etc.) and environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.). Physical self-care is one of the most important aspects of a personal care routine. When we practice physical activity, endorphins are released that make us feel good.
It also produces neuronal growth, reduces inflammation in the brain and promotes feelings of calm and positive well-being. Exercise, or simply physical activity in general, is also useful for treating a number of mental health problems that we may suffer from. It helps with anxiety and stress by releasing endorphins, relaxing muscles and reducing inflammation in the brain. ADHD can also be treated.
Moving our bodies can improve motivation, attention, mood and memory by increasing levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Trauma & PTSD is also positively affected by physical movement. When we think of the word “physical”, we often go straight to movement. However, physical self-care also involves having good sleep habits, drinking lots of water, sitting in the sun to absorb vitamin D, and taking care of personal hygiene.
Practical self-care is the things we do that help us avoid stressful situations in the future. Everyone's practical self-care will look different. But the goal would be the same: to avoid stress by performing tasks routinely. To be successful, self-care must nourish us and those around us.
It is defined as “activities or events that nourish or deepen relationships with others. Doing everyday activities and turning them into social self-care is a great way to keep the bucket full. One of the most important aspects of social self-care is making sure that you are surrounded by people who nurture and encourage you. If you're trying to practice social self-care with someone who pulls you down, your bucket is getting emptier and emptier.
Which is the opposite of what you would be trying to achieve. Spiritual self-care is as complicated or simple as you want it to be. Practicing spiritual self-care is about connecting with a higher power, seeking answers to your theological questions, and nurturing a longing for purpose. Activities that help you process, connect, and reflect on a wide range of emotions are called emotional self-care.
Emotional well-being is as important as our mental well-being. It's like the glue that holds us together. If we ignore our emotional health for too long, it becomes too difficult to bear and the bucket empties. Doing activities that promote happiness, joy, love and connection are ways to keep the bucket full or to fill it when there is little.
Finding small things that awaken joy in yourself is a great weapon that you can have at your disposal for those times when you also feel emotionally exhausted. To put any of the self-care practices into practice, you must first start with a healthy mind, body and spirit. That means that if you're suffering from an addiction or mental health disorder, you should get it under control first. There are many resources to help achieve this goal.
