Self-care is a term that gets thrown around a lot in counseling. It really become a hot topic during new years: this is the time to really focus on yourself, your goals for the year, ways to improve yourself, etc. While we hear the phrase a lot, yet many people don’t know what it means. In a nutshell, self-care is any activity that helps you reach optimal physical and mental well-being. It should be an activity that reduces stress and is healthy. It can be almost anything.
One caution about self-care is to ensure that the activity you are doing is not negatively effecting your physical and/or mental health. For example, if you like to meet friends for a drink, that could be a self-care activity. Let’s say you go out and binge drink: clearly this is not good for your physical or mental health. Another thing I hear a lot is clients telling me they are going to take a two week vacation. Again, a two week break from life in a wonderful location could be very beneficial. But if you are struggling financially, then you may want to try smaller self-care activities until you can take the grand vacation.
Self-care is a wonderful thing to add to your daily routine. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. It can be quick and easy. It can bring you joy and peace which will decrease feelings of depression and anxiety.
Check out this list of easy self-care activities:
- Medicate
- Listen to music
- Cook your favorite meal
- Talk to a friend
- Exercise
- Get quality sleep
- Dance
- Laugh
- Journal
- Practice gratitude
I’m going to strap on my snowshoes and enjoy this beautiful winter wonderland all around me. What small thing can you start implementing on a daily basis to improve your self-care? Start today. Start small. Let me know what you end up doing. I would love to hear from you.
~Krista