Have you ever felt like being an adult is opening your eyes to the negativities of life? Whether it’s in real life or social media, there are just so many atrocities and less compassion going around. The sad part about it is it can easily affect you, your mood, your day, and your outlook in life. 

 

Being an adult comes with responsibilities. Sometimes, it’s challenging to maintain a healthy perspective when these obligations become overwhelming. So, to manage stress, you resort to outlets that you consider as self-care.

 

There are too many ideas that go around self-care, and some of them are common misconceptions. First on the list is that people tend to think of it as self-indulgence. It’s not about luxurious items like bags, clothes, jewelry, or expensive activities. The value of self-care doesn’t equate to the value of material things you have or acquire.

 

It’s a backward concept to think that practicing self-care is being selfish. It’s more about self-discipline, practice on

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understanding what your mind and body genuinely need. There’s no absolute coverage of self-care. As long as it serves its purpose of looking over your well-being to cope with stress and be mentally and physically healthy, then it’s self-care. 

 

Nowadays, anxiety and depression are at an all-time high everywhere. People got lonelier and overwhelmed daily. In this post, I will delve into this vital topic of self-care and why it is crucial.

 

What is Self Care and Why Is It Important

 

We all know a thing or two about self-care. Most conversations on social media, podcasts, blogs, and books talk about it. It’s a massive part of today’s culture. But take a closer look at what it truly is. Essentially, self-care is any activity you intend to nourish your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 

 

World Health Organization (WHO) describes it as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” So, it’s a concept recognized on a global scale that mainly aims to promote health.

 

It affects the entire community, and it starts with how we individually work on it. It’s essential to be mindful and intentional in practicing self-care. Achieve the goal of self-care by being attuned to your own needs and wants, which can be difficult, but it’s doable. So, let’s dive deeper into why self-care is important.

 

Why Is Self Care Important

 

It encourages you to have a healthy relationship with yourself

 

Going back to the definition given by WHO, self-care is mainly about staying healthy physically, which includes nutrition,

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hygiene, and getting all the medical care needed. In essence, it’s about taking care of your health, which is a solid foundation for having a healthy relationship with yourself. It fosters self-sufficiency and resilience. Maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself allows you to be more present for other people. As they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup. 

 

It helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression

 

One of the many benefits of self-care is that it helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. When you’re physically and emotionally exhausted, your focus tends to get aggravated. Your to-do list might seem to take much of your time, but it’s important to remember that self-care is part of stress management. 

 

There are many ways to do this, like getting enough sleep, preparing and consuming healthy meals, regular exercise, crafting, taking a stroll, and making time for friends. These are all physical self-care and emotional self-care.

 

It helps improve concentration

 

When stress builds up, you feel irritable, restless, sometimes insomniac, and lackluster motivation. All these can significantly

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affect your focus. The most important part of practicing focus is mindfulness. Choose the kind of self-care that lets you have a better sleep, better memory, and keeps you motivated. 

 

Meditation is an excellent example of attaining physical and emotional concentration. It is spiritual self-care that deepens our connection with who we are inside. 

 

It increases energy levels

 

Stress consumes energy, so it’s essential to take care of yourself daily. Keep your energy levels up and be on the go. To keep you energized, here are tips to achieve it:

 

Drink water to keep you alert.

Limit caffeine and go for healthier options.

Get enough sleep to have a refreshed mind.

Do things that bring you joy.

 

Self Care Practices

 

There are many forms of self-care, but the most crucial part of it is your eagerness to try what works for you. When you take those necessary steps to eliminate stressors and take better care of yourself, you can maintain strong physical and mental health. Here are some of the best self-care practices:

Simplify your schedule

 

To live a simpler and stress-free life, simplify your schedule. Always running around, constantly being busy with work, and other activities can take the joy out of your day. So, simplify your schedule by knowing your limits. DOn’t stretch yourself too thin just to accommodate everything and everyone. Prioritize what and who matters most to you.

 

Create a gratitude list

 

There are many benefits to making a gratitude list. It can create a significant impact on your mental health and happiness. Inner strength and self-compassion give you a better perspective of understanding yourself and other people. What you can try to do is keep track of every good thing that happens to you. Journal regularly so that on days when you need happy thoughts more, you’ll have a pocketful of affirmations that better days are real and down days pass.

 

Unplug for a day

 

According to a study from Stanford in 2014, productivity decreases when your work more than 50 hours per week. Unplugging for a day helps you to focus. Switch off your phone or log out of any social media platforms. Take that day to give your mind and body a rest. 

 

Do something new

 

By doing things you haven’t done before, sometimes helps in making you feel bored and frustrated. Reinvigorate your sense of adventure. Write ideas that you consider outrageous and take action.

 

Meet with a counselor

 

You don’t have to do it alone. Seek help if needed. Find a counselor whom you’re comfortable speaking with and make it a commitment to yourself. Reach out to trusted counselors, therapists, and other behavioral health providers to help you equip tools against trauma, situations, and other mental health challenges

 

Ultimately, self-care is a choice you have to make to want to have better well-being proactively. It is always worth your time and money, especially in this time when stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. It’s not self-indulgent nor selfish. It’s about making sure that you are healthy and living your best life, not just for yourself but for others as well.

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