The Importance of Self-Care

There’s a lot of talk about self-care these days and here’s how I see it. There is only one you in this world, so make sure you take care of yourself! With all of the craziness going on around us right now I cannot stress the importance of self-care enough.

What is self-care though? It looks and is different for everyone. Some call self-care taking a nice hot bath after a long day at work; others call self-care getting their nails and hair done once a month to pamper themselves. Whatever self-care means to you, make sure you are making time for it. Keep reading for some self-care tips that will serve you well!

Listen to yourself!

The world around us is taxing right now; the stress of it all can weigh on anyone; I know it weighs on me. If you are in need of some help or someone to talk to, prioritize that and get what you need…now. If you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed, don’t worry, that’s normal and you should know you’re not alone in that. Everyone can feel as if they do not have enough control over things in their life. We all have feelings of anxiousness, sadness, or a sense of being overwhelmed. Please listen to yourself when these thoughts are in your mind and take the best course of action for you personally, whether that is finding a therapist that you can talk to; confiding in a friend; finding a hobby that lets you decompress; or utilizing coping methods that can help you improve your mental health. Find a way that works for you and prioritize your self-care and mental health.

Take time for yourself!

For me personally finding time to do what you love is the way I would describe self-care. What I love to do is cook! Spending time making food for myself and my family means the world to me. Between the preparations, the actual cooking, and getting to enjoy the delicious food I have created is therapeutic for me. To hear more about how I used cooking to help me through a hard time mentally, check out my Cooking Now blog post. I do know that not everyone loves to cook though, so find what your “me time” looks like. Whether you’re reading, writing, or drawing, make time for it!

Talk nice to yourself!

What you say to and about yourself matters. When focusing on self-care, say nice things to yourself, and use positive affirmations. You are doing your best. Although it’s hard, try not to compare yourself to anyone else. Aside from positive affirmations, self-care can also be doing things that help you feel even more beautiful. So head to the salon or spa for a treatment that nourishes you. Hit the gym or take a yoga class that lets you feel your healthy, powerful body at its strongest. At the end of the day, self-love and self-care go hand in hand, so be nice to yourself while you take care of yourself.

Even if you only have 20 minutes a day to dedicate to yourself, take that time! It will change your world. You are worth taking the time in your day to find your very own self-care routine and always will be. As long as you are doing something for yourself or to better yourself, you are prioritizing self-care. You matter, and so does your self-care.