You may be thinking that spending time on yourself wastes precious time. I assure you, you are not. Let me give you six reasons self-care is essential.
Hello Lovelies,
Who is not juggling work and personal life? No one! That’s why self-care is essential. With a demanding to-do list, self-care often becomes the last priority. We women famously and continuously push ourselves for days, weeks, or even months without taking time for self-reflection, which can lead to burnout. Neglecting to care for ourselves physically and emotionally can impact everything around us. When Mama’s not happy, no one is. That’s why self-care is as crucial as maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.
As teenagers, my sister Robin and I always had a knack for detecting when our Mom was feeling down and needed time to care for herself. She had four daughters to wrangle in. At those times, we would spring into action like little cleaning ninjas, frantically cleaning the house before she returned from work. Looking back, I’m pretty sure Mom caught on to our scheme quickly and may have even milked her moods for some extra housework!
1. Self-care should never make you feel guilty.
Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? Well, it’s true! Caring for yourself is like filling your cup with enough energy and resources to pour into others. It’s like putting on your own oxygen mask before helping those around you. Many people struggle with feeling guilty about taking time for self-care when they have other responsibilities to fulfill. However, neglecting self-care can often drain your energy and leave you nothing to give.
Caring for ourselves is essential to living our best lives and feeling mentally and physically sound. We all know the basics, like eating well and staying hydrated, but we need to ensure we’re doing more than that. Self-care can help us grow, succeed, and become more emotionally resilient. Plus, if we’re not taking care of ourselves, it can mess with our mental health and make it hard to handle whatever life throws our way. So, let’s prioritize self-care and give ourselves the love and respect we deserve!
Self-care can take many forms, depending on what makes you feel good and rejuvenated. For some people, it may be going for a run or practicing yoga. For others, it might be taking a long bath or reading a good book. Whatever helps you feel refreshed and revitalized, prioritize it in your daily routine.
For all caregivers, please remember that self-care is not selfish. In fact, it’s essential for your well-being and the well-being of those you care for. Robin had been caring for our 94-year-old mother while working full-time before moving her into a nursing home last year. We lived 450 miles away. There wasn’t much I could do to help relieve the pressure and stress except take a trip to South Carolina for a week or have Mom visit for two weeks at a time to relieve her. I was more concerned about Robin’s health than Mom’s.
Taking time to do something that brings you joy and relaxation can make you a better caregiver in the long run. So, go ahead and treat yourself to that massage, or take a day off to go on a hike. Your mind and body will thank you, and so will those around you.
2. Recognize and address our individual needs by being mindful.
Being mindful is about taking care of yourself in every way possible – physically, mentally, and spiritually. It’s like giving yourself some TLC to support that mind-body connection. So, make sure to attend to your needs in all these areas.
3. Practicing self-care helps us to build resilience.
It’s so important to keep up with life’s challenges and maintain resilience, right? And that doesn’t always have to mean significant changes – even small daily actions can make a huge difference.
But when building resilience, taking care of ourselves mentally is vital. If we’re not in a good place mentally, it can be tough to take on all the stressors that life throws our way. And let’s be honest, we all have our fair share of those!
Taking care of ourselves physically is important, too. Stress can really take a toll on our bodies – have you ever noticed muscle tension or high blood pressure when you’re overwhelmed? That’s why having an outlet is so helpful for overall wellness. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or just some quiet time alone, find what works for you and make it a priority. You deserve it!
4. Getting enough rest can help you feel refreshed and full of energy.
When you practice self-care, you can reduce stress, gain clarity, and even boost your energy levels. Plus, it can help you sleep better at night and communicate more effectively. So go ahead, take some time for yourself today, and see how it makes you feel!
5. Taking care of yourself only requires a little bit of time.
Self-care is personal, so tailor it to fit your needs. Create your self-care plan around activities that you find enjoyable, relaxing, or stimulating. It’s just as important to note that self-care activities may vary from day to day, depending on your current needs. Here are some examples of self-care practices that you could consider:
- Go on a walk and breathe in nature.
- Read a few chapters of your favorite book.
- Stretch out on the couch and think of nothing.
- Take a yoga class or listen to a meditation for 10 minutes.
- Sign up for a class at your gym.
- Stand under a warm shower.
- Cuddle your pet.
- Call someone who makes you laugh.
- Schedule a full treatment manicure.
- Scribble in your journal.
- Get creative. Draw, paint, sew, cook, or write.
- Realize how fortunate you are.
I ride horses a few times a month, bike riding in the summer pumps me up, and I try to stick to my exercise schedule at least five times a week.
6. It can energize you.
You know I believe that self-care is not selfish! It can do wonders for your mental and physical health. So why not treat yourself to some “me time” and reap all the benefits – like better energy, focus, and sleep?
Self-care can look different for everyone, so find what works for you and make it a regular part of your routine. You got this!
Practice Self-Care Often
Knowing when to take a break is a highly personal decision that depends on the individual’s life circumstances. You should promise this time to yourself regularly. And practicing it every day is even better. It doesn’t have to be the same every time, but taking a few minutes to nurture yourself is essential.
If you don’t prioritize your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, you may become vulnerable to depression, frustration, anger, illness, and other risks.
Exhaustion from work or personal life can lower your ability to cope with challenges. On the other hand, when you take time to care for yourself, you are in a better place to deal with difficult situations. If you don’t practice self-care, you are likelier to lose your temper and become irritable.
Please tell me how you practice self-care in the comments. I’m always looking for ideas for myself and to pass on.
