Self-care is a big buzzword nowadays but there seems to be confusion over what self-care is at its core and how you can meaningfully practice it.
Self-care as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.
This could be interpreted as self-care is intended to prevent or control disease and preserve one's overall well-being through the consistent act of prioritizing one's own health. Self-care looks and feels different to each individual but the primary purpose is to put your health- be it physical, mental, or emotional- at the top of the list and to do things that foster your well-being.
People tend to think of expensive vacations, over-indulging in treats, splurging on spa treatments, and binge-watching your favorite show as self-care, however, truly practicing self-care doesn't boil down to any of these. At its very core, self-care can look like prioritizing sleep to help you function optimally the next day, nourishing your body with healthy foods so it can deliver the proper nutrients to your body, following treatment plans for existing conditions to ensure your health doesn’t get worse and moving your body in a way that makes you feel good and helps you maintain your health. We aren't saying taking a bubble bath and putting on a face mask isn't self-care. We are saying that maybe during that time in the tub, you are prioritizing your mental health and taking time to truly disconnect, especially from your email that you tend to check after hours. Or instead of splurging on a spa day, you diffuse some essential oils, make an herbal tea, and practice some yoga to move your body in a mindful way whilst creating a relaxing environment for you to turn inward and reflect on areas of your body that might need some extra TLC.
We encourage you all to dig deeper as you embark on this adventure of self-care and see what you are doing for your health every time you practice self-care. Does it line up with the true meaning of self-care or is it the latest self-care trend you saw on social media? Self-care is a mindset shift and lifestyle change that enables you to set aside time to focus on your health to ensure your overall well-being, now and for years to come.
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