It’s no secret that life can be stressful, and the past few years are certainly a testament to that. It is extremely important to set aside time to take care of yourself. International Self-Care Day, celebrated each year on July 24, emphasizes the importance of self-care as the cornerstone of wellness. On this day, individuals are encouraged to make self-care a part of their everyday routines and turn it into a priority. Though it may seem like a trendy concept, it is a habit that has great health benefits.
Did you know there are eight main areas of self-care? These areas include physical, psychological, emotional, social, professional, environmental, spiritual, and financial. Familiarize yourself with the eight main areas of self-care so you can get more intentional with your self-care routine.
The practice of self-care is spending time doing things that help you live well and improve your physical and mental health. Evidence shows that self-care can reduce anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, and improve energy, among other benefits.
The practice of self-care is spending time doing things that help you live well and improve your physical and mental health. Evidence shows that self-care can reduce anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, and improve energy, among other benefits.
While self-care can look like reading a good book, taking a nap, going to the spa for a massage, or signing up for a yoga class, it can also go beyond that. Five interesting facts about self-care:
- Perform at your best.
- Self-care helps you perform at your best and have a higher quality of life.
- Maintain self-esteem and self-confidence.
- When you prioritize self-care, it helps to boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.
- It teaches resilience.
- When we take care of ourselves, we can handle challenges better, which is important for maintaining resilience.
- Self-care can be done in minutes.
- Self-care does not need to take a long time; it can be as simple as taking a bath or picking a new creative outlet.
- Self-care gives energy.
- Self-care can reduce stress. It has several benefits, including increased energy, better sleep, and increased clarity.
To start building your self-care plan, assess the following habits in your daily routine as a baseline:
- Do you sleep consistently? Aim for seven to nine hours each night.
- Are kind to yourself?
- Try to relax.
- Find ways to move your body.
- Eat regular, healthy meal meals.
Let’s be proactive in building our well-being and start taking steps today to prioritize the health and wellness of ourselves through self-care.