Self-Care: What Is It and Why Is It Important?
You might be wondering, what is this Self-Care thing really all about? Is it just a bunch of woo-woo, hippy-dippy nonsense? Or is it something I truly need to be concerned with in regards to my overall health and well-being? In this post, we dive deeper into What self-care is, and Why it’s so important to you and your health.
What is Self-Care?
According to Merriam-Webster, "self-care" means care for oneself, specifically health care provided by oneself, often without consulting a medical professional. A simpler way to put it might be, self-care is prioritizing your physical, mental and emotional well-being. It involves making your well-being a priority on a regular basis, by taking time every day to practice methods that promote a healthy body, a healthy mind, and a healthy spirit. And it involves consistently doing the things that make you happy deep down in your soul, which ultimately lead to a an overall sense of happiness.
Side Note: Overall happiness does not mean that every moment of every day is rainbows, tulips and sunshine. It’s important to understand the concept of happiness and how it relates to your day-to-day life. Happiness defined is “a state of well-being and contentment; joy.” Overall happiness is akin to a deep sense of satisfaction about life in general.. basically you feel like you’re better able to deal with every day stressors and triggers, and you feel less overwhelmed on a daily basis.
Back to What is Self-Care and what it means to you and your life. Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, you might already be doing it! Do you exercise regularly? Do you garden? Listen to music every day? Do you go to church or meet with like-minded peers on a regular basis? Do you prioritize your sleep and consistently practice rituals that promote better rest, like drinking chamomile tea, taking a warm bath, and/or turning off electronics an hour or two before bedtime? Do you have hobbies? Do you routinely take walks? Do you make healthy meals a priority for you and your family? If so, then you are practicing self-care!
Self-care does NOT mean you are selfish, lazy, or that you’re being luxurious. It’s also not a “one-size fits all” approach. Self-care is about finding what works best for you and making it a regular part of your routine.
More Self-Care Examples:
Self-care activities range from simple practices like the ones we mentioned above to taking vacations, going on hikes, camping and just being in nature, practicing yoga/tai chi/pilates or other fitness regimens, having a “spa day” by yourself or with your besties, attending community-based events and meetings, going on a wellness retreat, and consistently going to therapy. Practicing daily routines like mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises. Self-care is whatever practice you do that helps reduce anxiety and stress, improve your concentration, and minimize the chance of burnout.
Why is Self-Care Important?
Self-care helps you deal. Know what we mean? Do you ever have days where you feel like the world is against you? It’s easy to feel that way. But, when we get back to being calm and collected, we know that it’s just a feeling we have in the moment. It may feel like at times, that the universe is out to get you, but in reality everything is temporary. That includes those awful and dark moments in life where you think life can’t get any worse. It will pass. You will eventually feel better.
This is precisely why practicing self-care is so important. When you routinely do something that makes you happy, you are making room for more happiness in your life. You are reducing the chance of those dark days, feelings of hopelessness, and self-deprecating thoughts that spiral you down the wrong path.
Side Note: We are not providing medical advice, mental health advice, or religious advice in any way here. Always seek the advice of a professional—your own Medical Provider and/or Mental Health Provider—regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific health. If you feel suicidal or know someone who is, you can call/text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24-hours a day, 7-days a week (available in English or Spanish). You can also text HOME to 741741 – 24/7, and free to anyone in the United States. Visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention website to learn more.
Okay, let’s discuss why self-care is important for us humans in more detail. Check out the list below.
Stress Management: Self-care eases stress and helps prevent overwhelming feelings.
Improve Mental Health: Making self-care a priority improves mental well-being and helps reduce anxiety, depression, and the chance of burnout.
Enhance Physical Health: Meeting your physical needs—exercise, nutrition, and sleep—boosts health and well-being.
Increase Productivity: Prioritizing self-care strengthens your ability to overcome challenges and reach your goals.
Stronger Relationships: Self-care nurtures healthy relationships, and strengthens connections and your support network.
Boost Self-Esteem: Caring for yourself boosts confidence and self-esteem, enhancing your sense of self-worth.
Prevent Burnout: Self-care helps prevent burnout by ensuring adequate time for rest, relaxation, and renewal.
How To Practice Self-Care
We mentioned several methods above on how you can incorporate self-care into your daily routine. Try a few out to see how they work for you! And remember, self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. There are even apps to help you add self-care time into your busy schedule including Calm, Selfcare, Colorfy, Finch, Lumosity, Insight Timer, Shine, and 5 Minute Journal, as well as fitness apps to help keep you motivated like Fabulous, MyFitnessPal, and Flo. There are also apps that specifically help promote Mental Health including Clarity, BetterHelp, Talkspace, Headspace, and Happify to name a few. Check out the App Store or Google Play Store on your mobile device to see what’s available to you.
In the world of self-care, understanding its essence and significance is crucial for nurturing your overall well-being. Self-care isn't just about pampering; it's about prioritizing your physical, mental, and emotional health on a regular basis. At True Balance, we offer a variety of practices that align with self-care principles. From therapeutic massage and bodywork to rejuvenating yoga sessions and mindfulness classes including our Breathe Easy class (which is free to the public, Wednesdays at 5pm) and Group Meditation sessions (a donation-based offering by Susan McGowan, PhD., Thursdays at 7pm), our services aim to reduce stress, enhance mental clarity, and promote a profound sense of relaxation. Embrace self-care as a daily ritual to cultivate happiness, manage stress effectively, and foster a healthier, more fulfilling life.
True Balance Center for Breath and Bodywork is located in downtown Newnan, at 48 E. Washington St., Newnan, GA 30263. Click here to see all the services we currently provide and book an appointment for one of our wellness offerings, or call us at 678-857-3484 to find out more.
