“Loving yourself isn’t vanity. It’s sanity.” — Katrina Mayer
When was the last time you felt recharged and peaceful? Amid the busyness and everyday stressors of life, it’s sometimes hard to imagine the possibility of ever feeling revitalized again.
As women, we tend to put everything and everyone above ourselves. Our own needs take a back seat as we care for our businesses, families, and friends. Some of us even believe that self-care is selfish and frivolous.
In our society, pushing through despite ourselves is often praised. Many women overexert themselves because being busy and exhausted has become a badge of honor. We feel guilty for taking time off or even admitting that we feel content and at peace when everybody else seems to be burning out.
But here’s what you must know: self-care is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Why Is Self-Care Important?
We’ve all heard this before: you cannot pour from an empty cup.
When we are tired, overworked, and emotionally drained, we have a hard time giving energy and attention to the people and situations that need our input. And when we realize we don’t have the capacity to offer our best selves, we feel worse.
Think about the times in your life when you’ve achieved something significant, whether it’s supporting your family through a hard time, listening to a friend, getting a promotion, or tackling a problem head-on. It’s likely that you were able to give the necessary energy because you had that energy to give.
If we want to take care of other people and offer the world our best, we have to take care of ourselves first.
How Self-Care Prevents Problems
It’s easy to think that we can prevent and solve problems if we keep focused on the situation that demands our attention. We believe that giving just a little bit more will reach our goals and be who other people need us to be.
But the truth is, we create more problems when we put off self-care. When we are mentally and emotionally depleted, our perspective is distorted. Perhaps we adopt a cynical attitude, overreact to situations, or find problems where there aren’t any. These reactions and attitudes often lead to conflict and negative responses from other people.
On the other hand, when we feel balanced and happy, we bring enthusiasm and harmony to our environment. Having a full cup also means that we have a healthy perspective and are better prepared to deal with issues when they come up. Our family, friends, and colleagues see us as uplifting, inspiring, and productive.
How to Take Care of Yourself
Each of us is unique, and so are the activities that can restore us. Some of us need nothing more than sharing our hearts with a friend over coffee, some a good dose of shopping therapy, some need a full spa day, whereas others prefer a quiet day at home.
Here are a few self-care ideas for everyone:
At Home
Indulgent pampering: Put on some music and burn essential oils or scented candles. Lavender is good for relaxation, clary sage for stress, and ylang-ylang for rest. Soak in a bubble bath and sip on a beverage. Mint and camomile tea are great for unwinding. You might also put on a face mask and give yourself a manicure or pedicure.
Read a good book: Switch your phone to silent and indulge in a good book. Find a comfortable, quiet spot and immerse yourself in something other than social media or the news. Research shows that reading improves your quality of sleep, sharpens your mind, and combats stress,
Take a day off from household duties: Instead of preparing dinner for yourself or your family, order in and spend the time relaxing. You can also ask your family to take care of the household chores that you would have normally done.
Get creative: Get in touch with your creative side and express yourself through painting, drawing, scrapbooking, coloring in, knitting, sewing, or any activity that requires working with your hands. These activities require a different form of attention that doesn’t drain your mental energy. Creative activities reduce anxiety and boost your mood.
Outside
Turn to nature: Nothing beats stress quite like spending time in nature. Research shows that spending 120 minutes a week in nature is good for your health and wellbeing. Being outdoors reduces stress, boosts your immune system, and inspires creativity.
Take a walk: Walking is good for your body by improving your blood pressure, increasing your metabolism, and maintaining your mobility. But walking is also great for your mental health. It allows your mind to process, decompress, and refocus. Leave the music and audiobooks behind and listen to your thoughts. Take time to let your mind wander – you never know what creative ideas might come up!
Explore: Spend time with yourself by going for a drive or taking the train (or a plane!) to a new place. Discovering a new area can inspire you and give you a fresh perspective. Traveling and exploring calms you down and lets the mind relax.
Spa day: Let’s not forget about the ultimate luxury – visiting the spa! Go by yourself or take a friend and enjoy a day of pampering. Massage therapy, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy are good for your mind and body. A day of luxurious spa treatments can improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation.
Self-Care Is More Than Just Relaxing
These activities can do wonders for your mental health by promoting relaxation. But when considering self-care at a broader level, there are eight different aspects of self-care that go beyond stress release. It is important to consider each of these dimensions of self-care.
- Emotional: Reflect, journal, and find ways to process your emotions
- Environmental: Spend time out in nature and do something for the environment
- Financial: Get your finances in order by budgeting, getting a financial plan, or take the Wealthy Woman Course with your annual membership to the School of Self-Image
- Intellectual: Read, listen to podcasts, join the School of Self-Image, or learn a new skill
- Occupational: Prepare for promotion and keep updated with developments in your field
- Physical: Exercise and maintain a healthy diet
- Social: Connect with family and friends to strengthen your social bonds
- Spiritual: Meditate, pray, or spend time becoming more mindful
Do It For Yourself and Others
Contrary to what we may think, self-care is not unproductive. Planning for time off and investing in yourself is a wise decision that benefits your personal and professional life.
When you devote time to your own self-care, you recharge your batteries and restore your peace of mind. Self-care is not selfish: it also benefits those around you. Being in a healthy state of mind helps you cope with stress and allow you to support others. By regularly refilling your cup, you also become more productive and present in your relationships. Indulging in rejuvenating activities will positively impact all areas of your life.
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