Self-care may be different for everyone, but if you consider self-care, the behavior should promote health and happiness for you. True self-care isn't selfish; it's part of living a happy and healthy life. But it's not always easy either. It may take real, conscious and intentional effort to make decisions that really contribute to your overall well-being, rather than just treating the symptoms of stress or daily wear and tear.
Self-care is often about preparing you to succeed in life, and sometimes that means admitting that you can't do everything alone. On the other hand, another easy way to incorporate self-care into your life is to make it part of your regular routine. As Burton said, self-care is about facing reality and believing in yourself and in your ability to handle what's on your plate. There is no right way to practice self-care; it can take different forms depending on what you like and what you need.
According to Raphailia Michael, a licensed counseling psychologist who writes for PsychCentral, rest and relaxation are definitely part of a good self-care routine. Regardless of your gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or ability, you should not only practice self-care, but you deserve it. Dedicating time to friends and fun is definitely crucial, but if you find that you're constantly leaving at the expense of your other routines, responsibilities, or personal care budget, then maybe you should ask yourself if there's anything you're avoiding (involuntarily or not). The WHO points out that self-care can include a variety of tasks that can help prevent diseases and illnesses.
So you're convinced that self-care is important, but how can you realistically spend time with it when you have so much to do? The term personal care has been used a lot lately, as it has become fashionable to talk about the good things you do for yourself in order to be your best caregiver. Instead of making self-care a standalone activity, try to incorporate elements of self-care into your daily activities.