Self Care Questions - An Introductory Guide for Overall Wellbeing

Intro

Self care is essential for our overall health and wellbeing. It involves taking time for activities that nourish us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. By practicing regular self care, we can reduce stress, boost mood and improve life quality.

Understand what you need

An important first step is identifying what specific areas in our life need more attention from us. Do you need more rest and relaxation? Or perhaps more meaningful connection and social support? Consider your unique situation and what’s missing. There’s no one size fits all approach to self care.

Set realistic goals

It’s easy to have lofty self care goals that quickly fall by the wayside when life gets busy. Be realistic based on your schedule. Even small actions can make a difference over time. For example, if reading brings you joy, aim to read for 15 to 30 mins daily instead of hours on end.

Find simple ways to nourish yourself

Look for self care activities that easily fit into your regular routine like taking a short walk, enjoying a warm cup of herbal tea, calling a friend or writing in a gratitude journal. Appreciate the little daily actions that fill up your cup.

Have a self care toolkit

Prepare items and resources in advance that you can utilize whenever you need some TLC. Your toolkit may include calming essential oils, cozy slippers, uplifting books/podcasts, relaxing playlists or ingredients to make a nourishing meal. Having go-to items on hand makes it easier to be proactive with self care.

Stay consistent

To truly experience the benefits of self care, consistency is key. Like any other healthy habit, the more we nurture ourselves, the more natural it becomes. Be patient and keep going even when self care falls low on the priority list sometimes. Consistency compounds over time.

FAQ

What are some examples of self care activities?

Common self care activities include meditation, journaling, spending time in nature, taking a bath, getting a massage, reading inspirational books, listening to music, dancing, cooking healthy meals and saying no to unwanted obligations.

How often should I practice self care?

Ideally, incorporate small self care practices into your daily routine. For broader self care sessions, like an at-home spa night, aim for once a week or a few times per month depending on what feels nourishing versus stressful.

What should I do if I’m too busy for self care?

Consider where you can create space for self care in your schedule, like waking up 15 minutes earlier, using part of your lunch break or shifts things around to have 1 night a week for you. Also look at obligations you can let go of or ask others to support you with during especially busy times.

Why bother with self care when I have so many other responsibilities?

Far from being selfish, self care allows us to better care for others – our kids, partners, friends, colleagues and community. By nourishing our body, mind and spirit first, we have much more energy, patience and joy to give.

How do I make self care a habit?

Consistently scheduling time for self care each day/week, preparing your self care toolkit in advance and joining supportive communities to stay motivated are all great ways to make self nurturing habits stick long-term.