Why is self-care so important?
When we care for our well-being, we take a proactive step in caring for our inner and outer being. We allow ourselves to have total healthy well-being, making us whole and well.
Self-care is also critical for our healing and recovery. Healing is a process. The difficult things we are going through cannot be remedied by a single vacation to the mountains, beach, or farm. It cannot be resolved through one-time Band-Aid solutions. It needs action creatively and deliberately done.
Our burdens require a process unique to each of us. Sometimes, we know the steps we have to take. Other times, we need to sit with our emotions. Whichever way, it is crucial to go through the process faithfully and not be in a hurry to be “okay.” All too often, we don’t want to sit down with the unpleasant things we are experiencing. It’s why we fail to learn, feel, and heal. There are no shortcuts to healing. What we cannot feel, we cannot heal. Thus, self-care is not escaping, spending, or indulging. It is about healing and recovery.
Self-care is also a tool for spiritual growth. Let’s go back to the basics of our composition as human beings. We are made of our bodies, minds, and spirits. Given this, we also have the responsibility to nurture the totality of our well-being. Here are some tips to encourage you to incorporate self-care strategies into your life.
Find life-giving patterns in your daily life. What is something that you do every single day that instantly makes you feel better? These routines are usually found on the most ordinary and repetitive tasks like, perhaps, bathing, drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, or indulging in alone time with freshly brewed tea in the afternoon. Self-care does not have to be complicated. Perhaps the trick also lies in being mindful and appreciative of your favorite practices.
What keeps you nourished? Anchor yourself in that activity. Do something for yourself that will dictate to your consciousness that you need to show up. Do it to motivate yourself and to improve your mood. Your time is yours and it is free. These little habits do not have to cost you anything. You can wear your favorite outfit, swipe on your favorite lipstick, or bask in the sun and allow your body to be soaked in the sunshine! These little mood boosters can allow you to feel better because we all have days where we simply cannot be bothered. While we may not be in our 110 percent every single day, we can still be proactive in helping ourselves feel better.
Set aside time. In the same vein that you dedicate time for your daily tasks and must-do’s, also make time for self-care. Allow it to be part of your daily routine. Don’t use “I have no time for self-care” as an excuse. Time is not on the clock. Time is in your hands. It’s in your mind.
Self-care activities should make you feel whole. For us to support our well-being, we need to be whole beings. We are not human doings, we are human beings. We are more than our bodies. We should show our bodies, minds, and spirits the gratitude that it deserves for allowing us to live, move, and make a difference in our daily lives. Don’t take yourself for granted. You deserve to be loved and cared for by yourself generously. – WITH PAU DE VERA
Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels