Facts
Self-care is not selfish! Many view taking time or doing things for themselves as selfish when really it is necessary to keep yourself mentally and emotionally healthy. In contrast, self-indulgence is obtaining or consuming things that give immediate gratification at a cost to our overall well-being, self-care is the practice of nurturing our internal and external needs for overall wellness and happiness.
Self-care means taking the responsibility and the time to tend to one’s own health. It is care provided for you, by you. Tending to all of the dimensions of wellness is a great way to practice self-care.
Helping Yourself
Have you ever found yourself focusing on others’ needs and neglecting your own? While it’s nice to give and accept support, your self-care can be done by no one but you. Tuning in to your needs on a daily basis helps achieve balance. Consider how you can nurture yourself in each of the dimensions of wellness:
- Physical Wellness activities include exercising regularly, eating fruits and vegetables, wearing a seat belt, and brushing your teeth at least twice a day.
- Social Wellness activities include having a network of close friends and family and spending time with them, communicating with a variety of people, and showing compassion or empathy when possible.
- Emotional Wellness activities include accepting responsibility for your actions, having the ability to laugh at life and yourself, and learning from your mistakes. Taking the time to participate in counseling is also a great way to tend to your emotional wellness.
- Environmental Wellness includes tending to one’s personal space and feeling safe in one’s surroundings. Environment Wellness also includes discarding garbage regularly, conserving energy such as fuel and electricity, and purchasing recycled items when possible.
- Spiritual Wellness includes prayer, meditation, volunteering, or personal reflection as well as understanding other's beliefs and values. There should be a direct relationship between your personal values and your daily actions.
- Financial Wellness activities include paying your bills on time, having a handle on financial status, and having available credit for unexpected life occurrences.
- Intellectual Wellness includes having an interest in learning new things, participating in creative and stimulating activities, and engaging in intellectual discussions.
- Occupational Wellness includes being happy in your career path, balancing work and leisure time, and having a job or activity that allows you to contribute your talents.
If you would like help addressing self-care and time management, call CAPS for an appointment at 402.554.2409.