What is Self-Care And Why is it So Important in 2023?

Self-care is a phrase that has become more and more popular over the last few years, but what does it actually mean? To put it simply, self-care refers to taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This includes lots of different activities and practices that can help you to relax, reduce stress, and give you a healthy lifestyle. In this post, I will look more deeply into what self-care is, why it is important, and how you can easily incorporate self-care into your daily routine.

But first to make self-care a little bit easier to understand here is a story about Bob:

Once upon a time, there was a man called Bob who had never heard of self-care. One day, his friend suggested that he should take some time to relax and practice self-care, but Bob had no idea what that meant.

The next day, Bob decided to try self-care for the first time. He thought to himself, “I’m going to take care of myself today!” He went out to the shop and bought a large tub of ice cream, a box of donuts, and a bottle of soda. He then went home and spent the whole day on the sofa, binge-watching his favourite TV show while munching his way through all of his snacks.

As the day went on, Bob began to feel quite ill. His tummy was gurgling, he had a headache, and he felt tired and a bit uncomfortable. He couldn’t get his head around why anyone would recommend self-care if it made him feel so bad.

The next day, his friend asked him how his self-care day went. Bob replied, “It was terrible! I felt so sick and sleepy after eating all of that junk food.” His friend smiled and explained to him that self-care wasn’t just about stuffing your face with sugary snacks and treats, but it was also about taking care of his physical, mental, and emotional needs in a well thought out and healthy way.

Bob understood that he had got it wrong and now realised that self-care was not just about treating himself to a little bit of junk food and a lazy day now and then, but also about doing activities that would be really good for his overall wellbeing, such as exercise, meditation, eating healthy food and spending time with family and friends.

What are some self-care activities I can do?

There are lots of ways you can practice self-care, and the best activities are the ones that make you feel good and help you recharge. Here is a handful of self-care activities that you can try:

• Taking a relaxing bath
• Going for a walk outside
• Practicing yoga or meditation
• Reading a book
• Trying a new hobby
• Spending time with your loved ones
• Cooking a healthy meal
• Getting a massage or facial

How often should I practice it?

This is entirely up to you and there is no right or wrong answer to this question. The frequency of any self-care activities that you do can vary depending on your individual needs and schedule. However, I do recommend that you try to practice self-care on a regular basis, ideally every day. Even taking a few minutes to do something that makes you feel good can have a surprisingly positive impact on your mental and physical health.

Can self-care help with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression?

A massive yes to this question! It can be a brilliant way to manage and reduce any symptoms of anxiety and depression. Using activities like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and spending time outdoors have been shown to really improve a person’s mood and reduce stress levels.

It is important to note at this point that self-care alone may not be enough to treat mental health issues, and reaching out for professional help might also be a good idea.

What are some common self-care mistakes and how can I avoid them?

I’m not really sure you can make mistakes with self-care although one area people forget when practicing self-care is focusing on their basic needs. Simple things like getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet tend to be overlooked. Making sure these things are covered should be at the core of your self-care routine.

Another “mistake” some people make is comparing their self-care routines to others, which can make them feel inadequate and stressed. Don’t do this please. Focus on finding self-care activities that work just for you and your unique needs, and don’t whatever you do feel pressured to conform to others’ routines or expectations.

How can I incorporate it into my busy schedule?

I know that trying to fit self-care into your already massively busy schedule can be a challenge, but it is possible with a few tweaks, a bit of planning and creativity.

• Maybe the only way to make sure you can fit it in is by actually scheduling self-care activities into your calendar, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. This way you’re making sure that you have specifically allocated a slot for it. Pencil in 20 minutes at the beginning of your day for some exercise or leave work slightly early to hit the gym if your boss will let you.
• When you run out of the office to grab a bite to eat at lunch time don’t head to get a quick burger and chips, choose a place that sells healthier options like sushi or salads.
• If you have a spare 10 minutes during your lunch break then head outside and sit in the fresh air or read a book. This will be a great way to let your brain reset so you can come back in and tackle any challenges the afternoon might throw your way.
• Another great way of making sure you have time for self-care activities is to do them while you’re doing other things. For example listening to calming music while you’re working or practicing deep breathing exercises when you are driving to work or sitting on the train.
• Some of my favourite activities to slot into my routine are squats while I clean my teeth and lunges while my coffee brews in the morning.

What is the difference between self-care and self-indulgence?

This can be a confusing one. Self-care is often mistaken for self-indulgence, which involves taking part in pleasurable activities without thinking about the consequences that might follow after. It’s definitely not that, is more about taking care of your needs in a healthy and viable way.

While these activities can be very enjoyable, you usually choose them with the intention of promoting your overall wellbeing.

How can I practice self-care on a budget?

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive, and in some cases is completely free! There are also plenty of ways to practice it on a tight budget.

Here are some ideas for you:

• Taking a relaxing bath with affordable bath products
• Practicing yoga or meditation using free online resources
• Spending time outdoors in a local park or nature reserve
• Creating a self-care vision board from old magazines
• Starting to write a bullet journal in an old unused notebook
• Relaxing on the sofa listening to music or reading a book
• Inviting your pals or family round for a coffee

What are some self-care tips for dealing with stress and burnout?

For those of you who are dealing with stress and burnout, practicing self-care can be a life saver and should help you feel more relaxed and energized.

Some tips for managing stress and burnout include:

• Prioritizing sleep and rest
• Practicing mindfulness, meditation or deep breathing exercises
• Taking regular breaks throughout the day
• Engaging in physical activity, such as yoga or meditation

Is self-care selfish or necessary for overall wellbeing?

So many people think that self-care is viewed as being selfish, which I think is crazy! When in fact it is essential for your overall health and wellbeing.

Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health is crucial if you want to keep a healthy and balanced lifestyle. If you start neglecting your own needs, you risk very quickly becoming burned out, stressed, and even physically ill.

By prioritizing self-care in your daily routine, you are much better equipped to handle the challenges that life throws your way, and are even more likely to be productive, focused, and happy.

It is important to remember that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for everyone’s wellbeing.

Final thoughts

In a nutshell, self-care is a crucial practice that involves taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. Ideally, it should be included as a part of your daily routine as it helps you to recharge and maintain our overall well-being. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not selfish because it allows you to be better equipped to handle any challenges and to support others.

Fortunately, there are many easily affordable, sometimes free, options you can incorporate into your daily routine. So, by prioritizing self-care, you can improve  your quality of life and achieve a greater sense of balance, happiness and fulfilment.

Please share or like this post if you found it useful and don’t forget to sign up for your free self-care audit!