Self-care is not selfish; it’s essential for maintaining mental well-being. Notice your need for self-care like charging your phone battery, getting an oil change in your car, or putting your oxygen mask on before you help someone else. When we have not maintained care for ourselves, the quality of our output is likely to be very poor or maybe even impossible. As we want to live and commune in the world around us, it is essential we build awareness of our own present state and what we need. Self-care is a protective measure to love.
There are many ways we can engage in self-care. Self-care can be daily rhythms of exercise, creating art or crafting, playing games, journaling, stretching, being in nature, reading, prayer or meditations, playing or listening to music, engaging with animals, drinking a delicious cup of coffee, etc. Setting boundaries and learning to say no are also crucial aspects of self-care. When we can honor our limits and needs, our body feels increased safety and that can often come from a simple, “not today”. Prioritizing sleep and maintaining a balanced diet are essential for our overall well-being. Learning to identify and challenge negative self-talk is another crucial aspect of self-care. Practicing gratitude and focusing on positive aspects of life can help cultivate a sense of safety and reduce stress activation. Additionally, often many mental illnesses communicate to our mind that we need to pull away or isolate; however, connection with healthy family, friends, and support networks attunes to our self-care need for connection and belonging.
Take a deep breath and consider in this moment what your present needs and limitations are. Rather than numb, suppress, or abandon yourself, what might you be invited into in this moment to attend to those needs and limits in a healthy way?
