Self-care is not selfish; it's about preserving your physical, emotional, and mental health to serve yourself and others better. Regular mental recharge boosts well-being tremendously.
The Self-Care Paradox: How Prioritizing Yourself Benefits Everyone
How often do you focus on your self-care? Do you place a priority on your well-being? Many will answer," I rarely focus on my self-care or well-being." That's a problem that used to be one for me. Too often, I skipped workouts, meals, get-togethers with friends, etc., to meet the needs of others. Finally, I learned a better way to live and support others. I learned the value of caring for myself and its positive impact on others.
"We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list." Michelle Obama (Vogue 2016)
As we work through the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to forget one essential truth: to be there for others, we must first be there for ourselves. This blog explores self-care's profound importance and why it's far from a selfish act. It's a cornerstone of personal well-being and the ability to extend care and support to those around us.
Hold Space For Yourself
We need to practise self-care more than ever now. It's a necessity, not a selfish act. When you hold space for yourself, you create a place to check in with yourself and evaluate how you are doing; only then can you realign yourself with the things that serve you.
When we hold space for ourselves, like taking a lunch hour, having a cup of tea with a friend, or going on a long walk, we give ourselves permission to refresh and re-energize. These necessary acts reduce stress in our lives. Making self-care a part of our daily routine and schedule benefits everyone around us.
Recharge Physically, Emotionally, And Mentally
Taking a mental recharge doesn't always have to be lengthy. It can be short periods throughout your day. Self-care is a remarkable give that keeps on giving.
Gardening, yoga, massages, bicycle rides, and other physical activities release chemicals like serotonin and endorphins in our brains. The chemicals assist us in being alert and happy, and they also engage and reinforce parts of the brain that help us reason, plan, organize, and make decisions.
Participating in physical activity supports the flow of natural systems and our body and mind recharge, which leads to improved self-management, a critical component of emotional intelligence, and personal competency.
Wherever you are, however, your schedule is interrupted, you can adapt and still give your mind and body what it needs. Consider taking a mental break at work daily; meditate for 10 minutes or go for a walk in an area outside of your regular path. Creating a practice similar to this, planning and implementing a routine that works with your schedule and lifestyle, will be very beneficial.
Helpful Suggestions for Adding Self-Care Into Travel
If you're travelling with your family and are off your routine, go for a long walk, play with your children in an activity you usually wouldn't have time for or choose a day trip that provides some physical activity. Recognize that changing things up is also a mental recharge, not an escape, but a deliberate action on your part. Taking good care of ourselves makes us a better caregiver to others.
If you're not travelling, plan something you haven't done before. Start by waking up 15 minutes before you plan to start your day, slowly take five deep breaths, and calmly visualize your day. This practice is excellent and one that has helped me tremendously.
Straightforward Ways You Can Mentally Recharge
Experiment with these activities to discover which ones help you recharge and rejuvenate your mental well-being:
- Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness meditation to calm your mind and reduce stress.
- Deep Breathing: Take a few minutes to focus on your breath, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
- Exercise: Engage in physical activity to release endorphins and boost your mood.
- Nature Walk: Spend time in nature, walking or simply sitting outside to clear your mind.
- Reading: Get lost in a good book or read something that interests you.
- Creative Hobbies: Pursue creative activities like painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument.
- Journaling: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas to gain clarity and reduce mental clutter.
- Disconnect from Technology: Take a break from screens and social media to minimize digital overload.
- Socialize: Spend time with friends and loved ones for meaningful interactions.
- Sleep: Ensure you get enough restorative sleep to recharge your mental and physical energy.
- Declutter: Organize and tidy your physical space to create a more peaceful environment.
- Mindful Eating: Savor your meals without distractions, focusing on the sensory experience.
- Listen to Music: Enjoy calming or uplifting music that resonates with you.
- Yoga: Practice yoga to improve flexibility and reduce stress through mindful movement.
- Take a Relaxing Bath: Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts or essential oils to unwind.
- Visualization: Use guided imagery to imagine yourself in a peaceful, rejuvenating place.
- Gratitude Practice: Reflect on what you're grateful for to shift your perspective toward positivity.
- Self-Care Rituals: Pamper yourself with self-care routines like skincare, a spa day, or a massage.
- Laughter: Watch a comedy show or spend time with people who make you laugh.
- Set Boundaries: Establish healthy boundaries to protect your mental well-being.
- Mindful Eating: Practice mindful eating by savouring your food and paying attention to each bite.
- Engage in lifelong learning by exploring a new skill or topic of interest.
- Time Alone: Allow yourself alone time for self-reflection and relaxation.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body's signals and respond to its needs.
- Volunteer: Helping others can be a fulfilling mental recharge. Remember that self-care is a highly individualized practice, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Self-care is a powerful art that enables us to serve others more effectively. It's a reminder that we become better equipped to nurture the world by nurturing ourselves. Preserving our well-being, including our physical, emotional, and mental health, helps us serve others better. Remember, we believe the story that we tell ourselves each day! Marshall Connects offers Emotional Intelligence Assessments and Coaching to enhance skill development in all areas, including self-management techniques like self-care.
This article was originally published on August 1, 2017, and has been updated (November 2023).
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