The Importance of Self-Care

Boost yourself up with some self-care.

By Daisha NealPublished 4 years ago • 3 min read

Many of us go through a lot of frustration in life, especially with the times we are in now. We often forget to take a break and think about ourselves. Specifically for parents and business owners. It’s hard to add some positivity when you are constantly worried about every little thing and have the mental sanity to stay calm. Mental health is being highlighted more nowadays and a blessing to show people that it is okay to take care of yourself.

Taking time to maintain self-care has several benefits:

Reduce stress, anxiety, & depression - Making time for yourself sends positivity to your brain and generally begint to feel better about yourself.

Improve immunity & physical health - You are susceptible to less colds, headaches, and stomach aches when under less stress.

Increased energy levels & productivity - Saying “no” and not stretching yourself thin can help make time for things that matter more and concentrate on what you are doing.

Make you a better caregiver - People who neglect their own needs and forget to nurture themselves are at danger for lower self-esteem, increased unhappiness, and feelings of resentment

Do you feel…

Anxious or full of worry?
Unable to concentrate?
Achy or sick more than usual?
Sad or generally unhappy?
Overwhelmed and constantly worried?
Irritable or short tempered?
Tired often?
Lonely or alone?

Are you having trouble…

Remembering things?
Relaxing?
Getting your work done?
Making good decisions?

Have you…

Used alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to “feel better”?
Been sleeping too much or too little?
Been eating too much or too little?
Gained or lost weight?
Isolated yourself from friends and family?
Neglected responsibilities?
Lost interest in activities you used to enjoy?

These can all be signs and symptoms of stress. If you think stress-overload might be affecting your life, there is something you can do about it.

Meditate. It is proven that sometimes taking a break for mindfulness, rather it is 5 minutes or an hour can make a difference. Developing a routine you unpack the rambling thoughts and relax your mind will ultimately make you more relieved. Headspace or Calm are great apps to use to start a meditation routine.

Date Night with Yourself. Have a day or night where you can just relax by yourself. Watch your favorite Netflix show with a glass of wine, cuddled up on the couch. Going to the beach. Listening to music with your eyes closed. Even, sitting in the tub with some essential oils and candles. Having that time to yourself to unwind lets you be able to live in the present and reward yourself.

Exercise. It’s no secret that your physical health plays a role with your mental health. You don’t need to be an IG model or stage-ready for a physique competition but something as simple as a 30 minute walk every day can make an impact. It helps to let off some steam. It does not have to be dreadful. Find something that can be fun for you and fit your needs.

Keep a journal or Create Voice Memos. Writing down your thoughts allows you to engage with your emotions and face them head on. It allows you to be completely honest with yourself and not “feel bad” for having them. No one can tell you or control how you feel. This is a way where you can learn to release, accept, embrace them, and move on.

Stop Negative Self-Talk. Everyone has done this at some point in time and it's hard to resist sometimes. We as humans are often hard on ourselves when things don’t go as planned, we don’t look the way we want, or feel we could’ve done better. There’s always a way to talk bad about yourself. This does nothing but lowers your self-esteem and adds to the anxiety. Try to have more faith in yourself and manifest things into your life, no matter how big or small. Daily affirmations are a great way to start.

Speak to someone. Friend, family, or therapist speaking to someone can do a lot for self development. Making that time to actually let out the things bottled up can open your eyes to what is really bothering deeper inside. Everyone cannot afford a therapist or have a friend or family member who they feel truly understands them but there are some great alternatives. The app BetterHelp does an excellent job with providing licensed counselors at an affordable that will help you 24/7. There’s also some free options like joining a support group online like facebook or go to a local church.