Self-Care Is A Responsibility
Self-care to recover from stress and mental overwork
Self-care to restore your stamina
Self-care to restore your spirit
Self-care to restore your faith in people
Some people ridicule the very need for self-care. For the rest of us, self-care is essential. Why? Life can be challenging, stressful, and demanding. We are being called upon to give, give and give some more. We are givers at work, at home, and in relationships. To some extent that’s normal, but life is manageable only if and when it is balanced: we give some and we get some. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, hence the need for self-care.
Self-care is the zone and time we create for ourselves. Many believe that self-care is self-indulgent: a relaxing bath with lit candles and soft music. It can be but it is so much more! How would I define self-care? A limited but regular payback to yourself to compensate yourself for unrewarded efforts. Self-care is you giving to yourself in the areas that need compensating the most in order to restore life balance and improve your functionality and resilience.
In what area of life do you feel deprived or neglected the most?
- Are you physically exhausted?
- Are you stressed?
- Do you feel mentally overwhelmed?
- Do you feel neglected?
- Do you feel used?
- Do you feel insignificant?
- Do you have the feeling that you’re off track in life?
I can’t diagnose in what area you feel deprived, only you can. But the inner cry for help will serve you as a reliable guide.
What type of self-care do you need?
Self-care to recover from stress and mental overwork
- practice grounding (Don’t have time? No problem. Go outside; remove your
shoes; stand barefoot on soil or grass for just 3 minutes!) - drink ginger tea
- spend time outside
- spend time with your pets
- listen to your favorite music, if applicable, dance to it!
- read a good book (not work-related)
Self-care to restore your stamina
- get enough sleep
- exercise more
- consider dry-brushing
- pamper yourself or treat yourself to pampering
Self-care to restore your spirit
- spend time outside
- spend time with your pets
- listen to your favorite music
- attend church services or practice meditation
- engage in a favorite activity that gives you quick satisfaction (be it gardening, painting, etc.)
- make time to regularly keep track of your progress
Self-care to restore your faith in people
- volunteer for a cause close to your heart and watch other volunteers (Not everyone is like the person who disappointed you. There is a lot of goodness to be found out there!)
No matter what type of self-care you need: get more sleep! Whenever you feel like you can’t go on that’s your body telling you that it’s deprived of the opportunity to recharge and restore. No activity can substitute for restful sleep!
Long story short, take self-care seriously and make it a part of your routine. Not even the nearest and dearest can give you the care you need. They are not psychic: they have no way of knowing what you need and when. Ultimately, being well enough to stay in the game and be a contender is YOUR responsibility.
Photo credit: Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
