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Let’s be honest, since 2020, life has been a lot. It’s taken a toll on us all! Our normal daily lives were turned upside down, shaken, and then shaken some more. How can we deal with the constant change and stress?
Self-care is what we do to maintain good health and improve our well-being. We may already do some of these activities in our everyday routine, but when life gets busy, we may need to take a step back and ask ourselves: Am I so busy doing things for other people that I’ve forgotten to take care of myself?
If you have ever been on a plane, I am sure you are familiar with the flight attendant’s speech of “Please put your mask on first before you help others.” This is a trademark statement for flying, yet why is it so hard for us to be able to remember to do that in our daily lives?
It has become more noticeable that people are not taking care of themselves because life has become too busy or overwhelming. Studies have shown this is why many people have reported a decrease in happiness and overall quality of life.
Self-Care Tips
Self-care means taking time to do things you enjoy, such as things you find relaxing, fun, or energizing. Self-care does not mean doing unhealthy activities, such as substance use, overeating, etc.
Self-care means taking care of yourself, eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, and making yourself a priority. Here are some tips on how to make self-care a natural part of your routine:
- Set specific goals for yourself, such as “I will walk for 30 minutes every day.”
- Make the goals attainable.
- Make self-care a habit. The more you practice self-care, the more natural and easier it will become.
- Learn how to set boundaries for yourself. Be able to say “no” to others when needed.
- Remind yourself that your needs are as important as anyone else’s.
- Set an alarm reminding yourself to take regular breaks.
Remember, a few minutes of self-care is better than no self-care.
Self-Care Assessment
Below you will find an assessment tool that will help you think about how frequently, or how well, you are performing in different self-care activities. The goal of this assessment is to help you learn about your own self-care needs and recognize areas of your life that may need more attention.
Take a moment to write down/look over this assessment and notice your self-care patterns. Where can you improve? What changes do you want to apply in your life?
1 – I do this rarely or not at all
2 – I do this sometimes
3 – I do this often
** - Star the box if you would like to do this more frequently/improve at this
Physical Self-Care
- Eat healthy foods
- Take care of personal hygiene
- Exercise
- Wear clothes that help me feel good about myself
- Participate in fun activities (e.g. walking, swimming, dancing, sports)
- Get enough sleep
- Go to preventive medical appointments (e.g. checkups, teeth cleanings)
- Rest when sick
Psychological/Emotional Self-Care
- Take time off from work, school, and other obligations
- Participate in hobbies
- Get away from distractions
- Express my feelings in a healthy way (e.g. talking, art, journaling)
- Recognize my own strengths and achievements
- Do something comforting (e.g. watch a favorite movie, take a bath)
- Find reasons to laugh
Social Self-Care
- Spend time with people who I like
- Call or write to friends and family who are far way
- Have stimulating conversations
- Meet new people
- Spend time alone with my romantic partner
- Ask others for help, when needed
- Do enjoyable activities with other people
Spiritual Self-Care
- Spend time in nature
- Meditate
- Pray
- Recognize the things that give meaning to my life
- Set aside time for thought and reflection
- Act in accordance with my morals and values
Professional Self-Care
- Improve my professional skills
- Say “no” to excessive new responsibilities
- Learn new things related to my profession
- Take breaks during work
- Maintain a balance between my professional and personal life
- Advocate for fair pay, benefits, and other needs
If you would like to continue to learn more about yourself, ways to increase your self-care, and overall well-being, please feel free to email us to discuss scheduling a session with one of our therapists at Lifebulb Counseling. We’d be happy to help.
