Most times, we don’t understand when people say “take care of yourself’ This has less meaning to us nowadays. This sentence entails a lot, and such should not be treated as an ordinary compliment.
We need to bring back the real meaning and the receiving part should understand the distinctive difference is a word used by others to check on them.
Next time if somebody says to you “Please, do take care of yourself” Look into their face and thank them. If you’re failing in the responsibility of taking care of yourself, please open up to helping hands.
We’ll be critically looking at self-care in this article. Grab something, be it popcorn or cheeseballs or your favourite drink. It’s gonna be a long discussion, but we’ll cut it short.
What do we understand by selfcare?
The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s health. (Definitions from Oxford Languages) It is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health and to prevent and deal with illness.
It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication.
In a few words, self-care is the key to living a balanced life.
Most of us has put more energy into ensuring others are comfortable knowing fully they are making themself uncomfortable. Very sad!
When was the last time you stopped to consider others before your needs? There is nothing wrong with putting energy into relationships with loved ones or turning your attention toward finding a romantic partner or new friend. But, don’t you think a healthy mind is a productive mind?
Although, it’s also pretty safe to say that if you never stop to consider others, your relationships probably won’t thrive.
All the same, ignoring your dreams and desires can still hold you back. A life lived solely in the chase of the happiness of others may not bring you much personal joy in the end. Over time, you might begin feeling drained even a little lost.
Know this, and be peaceful with yourself. “Focusing on yourself isn’t selfish” No, it isn’t It’s an act of self-care/love. But when you’ve been in the habit of focusing on others, it can be very hard to shift gears.
How to look after yourself?
Well, there are no golden rules, but you can try these, it might assist in the journey of self-realization for adequate self-care.
1. Stick to the basics: Over time you will find your swing and routine. You will be able to fulfil more and identify more particular forms of self-care that work for you.
Social distancing yourself from others, or from activities that are not self benefiting might be the answer, sometimes. The focus should be on knowing the little things that make you fulfilled, happy and contended. Keep yourself engaged in self activities during this period.
2. Have a Self-care Plan: Self-care needs to be something you plan, rather than something that just happens. It is an active choice and you must treat it as such. Add certain activities to your calendar, announce your plans to others to make them aware of your commitment, and actively look for opportunities to practice self-care.
Ask some people, they have a meal plan at home, the office etc. They planned for what to eat when to eat it, and how often. These are conscious plans made to achieve a purpose. We should not plan for a meal alone, we should also plan for other mental-relieving activities aimed at self-care/love.
3. Self-Awareness: (Conscious knowledge of one’s character and feelings). Be consciously aware of yourself. Notice every single detail about yourself, starting from your feelings, perceptions, how you react to events, and others.
What we want to emphasize here is for you is to keep a conscious mind is what counts. In other words, if you don’t see something as self-care or don’t do something to take care of yourself, it won’t work as such. Be aware of what you do, why you do it, how it feels, and what the outcomes are.
4. Practice self-compassion: Make no mistake, caring for others is a positive trait. Focusing on your loved ones and offering support when they struggle shows your compassion and strengthens your relationships. Just don’t forget to treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you offer others.
You might be the type that is always available when a friend needs kind words, a hug, or a distraction, etc., but what about when you need those things? Are you all alone? You might, like many others, hold yourself to stricter standards and fall into patterns of negative self-talk.
Watch out for this, you can’t be emotionally available to everyone, and nobody shows up for you when you need it more. If you foresee something like this, you should carry out an evaluation, check if that relationship is necessary, so you don’t look entitled where you are seen or rated less.
The bottom line
The idea of self-care isn’t as self-centered as it sounds. It’s one of the best things you can do for your well-being. If you struggle to give yourself the attention you deserve, a therapist can offer guidance with turning your focus inward and help you explore more strategies for self-care.
