elf-care is a term gaining popularity.
It refers to activities a person can do to refuel, improve mood, handle stress and live a healthy life, both physically and mentality. It sounds simple, but in today's busy world, it's easy for people to forget to show themselves the compassion and the nurturing they need to live a well-balanced life.
"As a clinician, I often refer to self-care as a huge part of what's missing in the life of someone who's busy and stressed," Dr. Maria Baratta said in an article on the Psychology Today website. "So what is self-care? Self-care, in essence, is the mindful taking of time to pay attention to you, not in a narcissistic way, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you."
What self-care looks like for one person might look totally different for someone else.,But there are a few basic tips that give people a launching point to begin taking better care of themselves.
An important part of living a balanced life is staying physically active.
"Exercise busts stress, boosts the mood and elevates our energy level, not to mention the heart health benefits. Believe it or not, you can exercise just about anywhere, anytime. It doesn't have to be at the gym. It doesn't have to be a scheduled class. And it doesn't have to be more than a few minutes a day. All activity counts. I encourage patients to think of an activity that they enjoy," Dr. Monique Tello wrote in an article that appeared in the Harvard Health Blog.
Other activities that promote self-care include eating healthy, meditating or using other relaxation methods and getting enough sleep to feel well-rested.
Experts recommend that an individual develop a plan for self-care before it's needed.
"So, for example, if you're planning a life change (such as starting a new job or school), you may want to consider thinking of self-care strategies that you will use to help you manage stressors that might arise during this change," an article in HealthyPsych.com said. "Self-care, essentially, serves to make us more resilient in the face of stress."
Other tips for self-care include:
Getting a pet
Reading a book about self-care
Scheduling time for self-care
Finding small ways to enhance your mental health, such as taking a relaxing bath, waking up earlier for 15 minutes of deep breathing or spending time outdoors
Limiting screen time
Taking a weekend getaway or vacation to de-stress