What is Self-Care, Really?
Photo Credit: Carolyn V on Unsplash
Self-care can be a really tricky term because it has been so popularized in recent years. Does it refer to basic needs? Is it just a nice way of telling ourselves to do chores? Does it cure mental illness?
Here’s a hot take: Self-care is a confusing term because Health & Beauty industries use it quite often in advertisements as incentive to buy products. Do these types of ads look familiar?
“Have you been taking time for self-care? Buy yourself a gel manicure for half off this Wednesday!”
“Aging doesn’t have to mean you stop taking care of yourself. Check out our new anti-aging cream!”
Due to this deluge of advertising, self-care is often subconsciously paired with spending money. This is particularly prevalent for women who have learned to associate self-care with going to spas and salons. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, but it’s all about the intention. Are we going because we want to feel better or because we want to look a certain way for the people in our lives? If we really take a close look at self-care, the meaning behind the term is right in the name.
Since we are all experiencing different issues that means we take care of ourselves in different ways. For example, I always feel better when I sing but that may not feel helpful to someone else.
So how do we find out what’s right for you?
Sometimes it’s obvious. If you’re the type of person who loves the arts, sports, or another kind of hobby, those are more than likely forms of self-care that serve you. But perhaps you’ve found that your hobbies have trickled down to watching a movie after work or putting the kids to bed. Generally, once we get busy with work and family, self-care is the first thing to slide away from us until we don’t have enough of it. If this is your predicament, not all is lost!
Self-care is the most effective when it becomes a practice that is meaningful to you and that you can realistically integrate into your routine. If you’re ready to dive into a yoga class every morning, that is awesome! But many of us have very busy lives and need to start small. I’ve compiled a list below of self-care activities by time commitment. Choose the frequency with which you can commit an activity to your schedule and experiment with it! Remember, it will only work if you find the activity meaningful.
5 to 15 mins
Play with a pet
Make the bed
Deep breathing
Stretching
Journal your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations
Doodle
Make tea or coffee
Drink water
Vacuum or sweep
Take a shower
Meditate
15 to 30 mins
Go for a walk
Paint nails
Clean the dishes
Take a bath
Read a book
Play an instrument
Write a letter
Organize your desk
30 mins to 1 hour
Yoga
Clean bedroom
Cook or bake
Writing
Laundry
Watch TV
Call a friend
Paint a picture
Garden
Running or jogging
Play a video game
Take a nap
Knitting/Sewing
Scrapbook
1 hour or more
Take a class in something new
Play a sport
Join a book club
Attend a spiritual gathering
Meet with a therapist
Meet with a healer
Take yourself on a date
Movies and popcorn
Go for a hike
This list is by no means exhaustive. If you have other fun things planned for self-care, by all means, go for it! The idea is that if you’re breaking the bank or doing something that you don’t enjoy, then you’re probably missing out on the intention of caring for yourself. Start with something small that feels like it would bring you joy and is achievable. Once you really start practicing self-care, it will be a useful resource in your mental health toolbox!
Did this blog fix all your problems? Darn. Let’s talk! I am a licensed psychotherapist in private practice and would love to meet you for a free 30 minute consultation.