By: Keely Kelley
What is self care?
May is Mental Heath Awareness and what better way to bring awareness than to talk about self-care. Self- care is any activity that we intentionally take part in to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. We sometimes think that we are taking care of ourselves but it is also very easy to overlook or forget about. Agnes Wainman states, “Self-care is something that refuels us, rather than takes from us.” It refills our cup and helps us be more present, a better parent, and a better spouse. Self-care is something that you actively plan into your calendar and telling others about your plans can help keep you accountable. Self-care is unique to everyone. To some, it may look like eating healthier, getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, setting aside time to spend with family, meditation, taking a 30 minute walk, or creating boundaries by saying “no” to the things we don’t want to do or like1.
Signs we need to focus on ourselves
How do we know that we are ignoring our own self-care? There are signs that we can look for such as:
- Low energy
- Feeling hopeless
- Less patience
- Increased headaches or stomach aches
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Binge eating
- Difficulty concentrating
- Distance in your relationship with your partner or spouse
- Decreased motivation for social activities
Self-care is does not look like an hour massage a day because that may not be feasible in your day-to-day life. Start small and with something that is realistic and achievable. After you chose a self-care activity, do a physical and emotional check-up. How do you feel? Are you more patient throughout the day? Are you more present with your family?2
There are many resources online for self-care ideas such as Pinterest. If you feel overwhelmed by trying to prioritize your own self-care, we are here for you. If you are struggling with other mental health issues, finding the energy or motivation to better ourselves can be really hard. A therapist can help you prioritize your goals to more achievable and easier steps to help you focus on yourself and your self-care. Call our office today at (918) 423-0220 to schedule an appointment. Remember you can’t pour from a cup that is empty!
1. https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2/.
2. https://psychcentral.com/blog/self-care-why-is-it-so-important-why-is-it-so-hard/
