For the past couples of months, our lives have taken a drastic change. From the usual hustle and bustle of the daily routines such as being stuck in loud annoying traffic, bargaining with vendors at the market, taking water breaks with our colleagues, to planning meals for the week and going out for dinner, shopping, movies, parties etc it has all changed. These days, we wake up and are stuck within the four walls of our homes. Initially, it must have been a well-appreciated break from the hectic lives we had.But, after a few weeks, it does get monotonous, frustrating, stressful, and aimless.
Personal self-care is the process of taking care of our mind, body and soulwhich is essential in building up a resilience towards stressors in our lives that cannot be eliminated. Engaging in self-care also known as “Me Time”allows you to have a good quality life. However, most of us tend to not keep self-care as a priority and consider it to be a luxury in life. Hence, we are burnt out, exhausted and unable to cope with stressors. Self-care is something that re-energizes us instead of tiring us out. It is important to do constant check-ups on the variousareas of self-care practices(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
How do you take care of yourself?
1.
Physical Self Care
There is a strong link between your mind and body. When the body is well-rested and taken care of your cognitive abilities automatically function better.
· Maintaining a regular sleep cycle- 6 hours minimum& take power naps.
· Following a healthy & nutritious diet and not skipping meals.
· Engaging in daily physical exercise oryoga.
· Getting regular physical check-ups & adhering to medications prescribed.
· Taking breaks during your work & use sick leaves.
· Treat your body- food, clothes, spa etc(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 &Bard, n.d).
2.
Social Self Care
Human beings are social beings and socialization and close relationships are necessary to increase our overall well-being.
· Prioritising and investing time and effort to maintain close relationships with family & friends.
· Spending quality time with family & friends- in person or virtually through video/audio calls.
· Get a pet/plant or have a good laugh(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
3.
Mental Self Care
Keeping your mind sharp and active stimulates better thoughts and learnings.
· Create a “no” list of things you do not like to do or no longer want to do.
· Reading books, listening to music.
· Learning a new language/skill or taking up a hobby.
· Learn to say no to othersand yes to self-care.
· Take a self-care trip and get in touch with yourself.
· Caring for your mental health- asking for help(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
4.
Emotional Self Care
Learning to be in touch with your thoughts, feelings, emotions and using healthy positive coping habits.
· Engage in self-affirmation talk.
· Check-in with your emotions.
· Start journaling your thoughts and experiences.
· Get positive feedback.
· Try to do a good deed every day.
· Choose how to spend your time and with whom(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
5.
Spiritual Self Care
Nurture your spirit and find a deeper sense of meaning, appreciation, and link with the universe.
· Follow a holistic outlook on life.
· Connect with nature
· Engage in yoga, attend a religious service (virtually now) or pray(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
Develop a personalized self-care kit that can be used to meet your individual needs. It's important to take of ourselves during this time. Do not try to change or address all the issues immediately, take it one step at a time and do so.
References
Bard, E. (n.d). 45 Simple Self-Care Practices for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul.TinyBuddha. Retrieved from https://tinybuddha.com/blog/45-simple-self-care-practices-for-a-healthy-mind-body-and-soul/
Davis, T. (2018, December 18). Self-care: 12 ways to take better care of yourself. PsychologyToday. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself
Scott, E. (2020, March 21). 5 Self- Care Practices for Every Area of Life. VerywellMind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/self-care-strategies-overall-stress-reduction-3144729
Tello, M. (2020, April 16). 6 self-care steps for a pandemic- always important, now essential. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-self-care-steps-for-a-pandemic-always-important-now-essential-2020041619563
For the past couples of months, our lives have taken a drastic change. From the usual hustle and bustle of the daily routines such as being stuck in loud annoying traffic, bargaining with vendors at the market, taking water breaks with our colleagues, to planning meals for the week and going out for dinner, shopping, movies, parties etc it has all changed. These days, we wake up and are stuck within the four walls of our homes. Initially, it must have been a well-appreciated break from the hectic lives we had.But, after a few weeks, it does get monotonous, frustrating, stressful, and aimless.
Personal self-care is the process of taking care of our mind, body and soulwhich is essential in building up a resilience towards stressors in our lives that cannot be eliminated. Engaging in self-care also known as “Me Time”allows you to have a good quality life. However, most of us tend to not keep self-care as a priority and consider it to be a luxury in life. Hence, we are burnt out, exhausted and unable to cope with stressors. Self-care is something that re-energizes us instead of tiring us out. It is important to do constant check-ups on the variousareas of self-care practices(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
How do you take care of yourself?
1.
Physical Self Care
There is a strong link between your mind and body. When the body is well-rested and taken care of your cognitive abilities automatically function better.
· Maintaining a regular sleep cycle- 6 hours minimum& take power naps.
· Following a healthy & nutritious diet and not skipping meals.
· Engaging in daily physical exercise oryoga.
· Getting regular physical check-ups & adhering to medications prescribed.
· Taking breaks during your work & use sick leaves.
· Treat your body- food, clothes, spa etc(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 &Bard, n.d).
2.
Social Self Care
Human beings are social beings and socialization and close relationships are necessary to increase our overall well-being.
· Prioritising and investing time and effort to maintain close relationships with family & friends.
· Spending quality time with family & friends- in person or virtually through video/audio calls.
· Get a pet/plant or have a good laugh(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
3.
Mental Self Care
Keeping your mind sharp and active stimulates better thoughts and learnings.
· Create a “no” list of things you do not like to do or no longer want to do.
· Reading books, listening to music.
· Learning a new language/skill or taking up a hobby.
· Learn to say no to othersand yes to self-care.
· Take a self-care trip and get in touch with yourself.
· Caring for your mental health- asking for help(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
4.
Emotional Self Care
Learning to be in touch with your thoughts, feelings, emotions and using healthy positive coping habits.
· Engage in self-affirmation talk.
· Check-in with your emotions.
· Start journaling your thoughts and experiences.
· Get positive feedback.
· Try to do a good deed every day.
· Choose how to spend your time and with whom(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
5.
Spiritual Self Care
Nurture your spirit and find a deeper sense of meaning, appreciation, and link with the universe.
· Follow a holistic outlook on life.
· Connect with nature
· Engage in yoga, attend a religious service (virtually now) or pray(Scot, 2020; Tello, 2020; Davis, 2018 & Bard, n.d).
Develop a personalized self-care kit that can be used to meet your individual needs. It's important to take of ourselves during this time. Do not try to change or address all the issues immediately, take it one step at a time and do so.
References
Bard, E. (n.d). 45 Simple Self-Care Practices for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul.TinyBuddha. Retrieved from https://tinybuddha.com/blog/45-simple-self-care-practices-for-a-healthy-mind-body-and-soul/
Davis, T. (2018, December 18). Self-care: 12 ways to take better care of yourself. PsychologyToday. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself
Scott, E. (2020, March 21). 5 Self- Care Practices for Every Area of Life. VerywellMind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/self-care-strategies-overall-stress-reduction-3144729
Tello, M. (2020, April 16). 6 self-care steps for a pandemic- always important, now essential. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-self-care-steps-for-a-pandemic-always-important-now-essential-2020041619563
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