What is TRUE Self-care?
What is TRUE Self-Care?
Self-care advice is everywhere these days. The pandemic has brought out anxieties in most of us and self-care is one thing we can control in this world of uncertainty. It is easy to turn to consumer-based approaches: pedicures, chocolate, dinner out. Do these really give you a sense of caring for yourself? Some people turn to less healthy ways of managing their emotions: Youtube, Netflix, alcohol or drugs. These serve to distract and numb but aren’t really self-care. What does caring for yourself actually mean to you?
When I talk about self-care I mean activities that give you a good feeling in your heart and soul. Activities that refresh you, not tire you out. For some, that may be time with people, for others that may be time away from them. I encourage you to really consider what helps you recharge. Put some thought into how to create opportunities to restore yourself. I often recommend that my clients build in short times each day to check in with themselves: take a few breaths, walk around the block, make sure to take a lunch break. These brief moments of stopping in your day provide opportunities to reconnect with yourself and find grounding. In addition to those short check-ins, I recommend having at least one or two times of luxurious self-care in your week, whatever that looks like for you. Set the tone for your self-care. Hold time for yourself. Maybe it is finding time to curl up in a blanket, light a candle and read a book. Or to meet with a couple of friends and have a delicious dinner. Revel in the planning. Anticipation is as much a part of the experience as the experience itself.
For me, self-care practices tend to revolve around physical activities. Physical activity helps connect me with my body and senses. I find the practices of running and yoga particularly grounding. They help centre me in the present moment; a useful strategy when my mind wants to focus on my life challenges and what I actually need is a break.
With our pandemic bubbles, I have given a lot of thought to what social activities fill me up and which ones drain me. My intention, as I move forward, is to check in with myself to determine whether I am looking forward to an event or merely tolerating it. If I have no option but to attend, I want to figure out ways to make the situation work for me as best I can. A combination of social and solitary time helps give me the balance I need to stay rested when life gets busy.
The pandemic has offered us the opportunity to examine what is really important to us and the challenge of finding activities that give us purpose. With our limited activities over the past 18 months, I am sure you have thought about what you miss and what you do not. As you consider self-care, I encourage you to keep those items in mind to help craft true self-care practices that support you.