You’ve probably heard a lot about self-care. Various sources–particularly those with something to sell–may oversimplify it to consumerism and self-indulgence in the name of pampering. Self-care is so much more than that!
Get the inside scoop on what it is, why it’s important, and how to do it without breaking the bank.
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care includes any actions that you initiate in the pursuit of (and maintenance of) physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
When establishing personal care habits, it’s important to remember that it’s not about spending money. It’s about getting to the root of what you need and what will contribute to your peace.
What Are the Benefits of Self-Care?
- Self-care shows that you understand your intrinsic personal value. You don’t have to earn the right to take care of yourself!
- Mental wellbeing helps you reach your goals by preventing mental fog, fatigue, and lethargy. When you feel nourished and energetic, it’s easier to maintain motivation towards your goals.
- Self-love minimizes drama in your life. You can experience a greater sense of emotional balance, where the actions of others don’t affect your mood and sense of peace as easily.
- Time to ourselves gives us space to set priorities. We learn to let go of what we can’t change, and work to change the important things that we can’t let go of.
- When we use holistic techniques, self-care can boosts the immune system and promote balance in our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Both go a long way towards fending off anxiety, depression, illnesses, and other ailments.
- Personal care can improve your quality of sleep, which contributes to more energy and improved mood throughout the day.
Why Implement Self-Care?
Self-care is like a preventative treatment. It is a way to prevent the worsening of current mental, physical or emotional stresses. It is also a way to decrease the likelihood of new issues arising.
Personal care becomes particularly important during busy periods in our lives (like end-of year holidays) because many of us experience a spike in activity and obligations. As a result, we postpone workouts and eat poorly while we’re on-the-go. We often indulge in sweets, comfort food, and alcohol. The holidays can also leave us emotionally vulnerable: family troubles, financial issues, and memories of lost loved ones are very prevalent at this time of year.
So, how do you start a healthy self-care routine? Check out our next post on Nov. 1 for effective and cost-friendly tips on starting a self-care regimen.
