These practices are things we do for ourselves and are meant to refuel and recharge, which in turn makes us happier and healthier. Self-care is everything you do to take care of yourself and stay well physically, mentally and emotionally. Its benefits are better physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. Research suggests that self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as building resilience, living longer and being better prepared to manage stress.
When you take good care of yourself, you feel better and function better. In reality, anything you do for yourself that makes you feel better or that you are cared for can be considered personal care. This could be making sure you floss regularly, taking time for yourself when you need it, or getting a new haircut. A good starting point is to take time to reflect on activities that you enjoy doing, that make you feel good and that give you a sense of meaning.
When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, reduce your risk of getting sick, and increase your energy. Paula Gill Lopez, PhD, associate professor and director of the Department of Psychological and Educational Consultation at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, says that the need to take care of yourself is obvious. As personal care has become more widespread, definitions have begun to become more applicable to the general public and tend to focus on adapting to and satisfying one's needs. Whether you're talking to your partner or a close friend about how you're feeling, or if you're spending time in leisure activities that help you process your emotions, it's important to incorporate emotional self-care into your life.
Dedicating time to relaxing activities, such as taking a hot bath, listening to music, or practicing yoga or meditation, is another common topic of self-care. When you think of different self-care activities to try, think about these dimensions of your life and how you can improve them. In addition, while self-care doesn't cure mental illness, understanding what causes or triggers mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help you manage your mental health. Taking care of yourself means taking care of yourself to be healthy, to be well, to do your job, to help and care for others and to do all the things you need and want to achieve in one day.
Any activity that makes you feel more relaxed can help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety and improve your mood. The importance of self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and helping to support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness. Attending health care appointments, taking medications as prescribed, and managing your health are all part of good physical self-care.
