Posted December 20, 2024
When you hear the word “self-care” what comes to mind? Is it selfish indulgence or keeping a healthy lifestyle? I used to think the idea of self-care was too much of a self-centered thing, but lately I have been exploring the concept more, especially after realizing that it goes hand in hand with self-compassion, and I have come to learn how important it is. To some, self-care may be a no-brainer. But as someone who tends towards more self-destructive habits and thoughts, self-care has been something I have had to really learn to get better at.
Self-care is simply the act of taking care of yourself, whether it be your physical, emotional, or mental health. The great thing about self-care is that it doesn’t add much to your current list of priorities. It’s certainly not supposed to be just another commitment to add to your busy schedule, and doesn’t require you to take out a huge chunk of time from your day.
Here I’ve compiled a list of ideas. Some of them are very simple and some take a little more thought. Though the concept of “self-care” looks different for different people, everything on this list is generally universally healthy to practice, regardless of your mental health.
- Go for a walk. Obviously this would only be a good idea if you live in a safe neighborhood or have somewhere else safe to walk. But getting outside and moving in the fresh air has numerous health benefits and can significantly lift your mood.
- Do something you enjoy. If you’re struggling with depression, you may be at a loss as to finding something to enjoy. But what did you used to enjoy? Painting? Writing? Gardening? Chess? Even if it takes a huge effort to make yourself do, delving into something you used to like doing can be of great benefit.
- Clean up your space. Sometimes the state of our living-space really does have an affect on our headspace, and something as simple as tidying up, picking the clothes up off the floor, or clearing away some clutter can make a difference. If it’s too hard to clean up a whole room, pick one section or category to tidy up and start there.
- Spend time in nature. This could go hand in hand with going for a walk, or it could mean simply sitting outside and observing the birds or reading a good book. If walking around is too much, try just standing in the sun. Nature can be very healing.
- Check in on your headspace. Are you stressed? Irritated? Feeling down? Simply noticing how you’re feeling in the moment and being mindful of what’s going on inside can help keep it from becoming overwhelming.
- Take an honest look at your schedule. Are you bogging yourself down with way too much to do during the day? Or do you have too little to do and thus have way too much time to stew on your thoughts and get stuck in your head? If feasible, adjusting your schedule just a little can be a huge help.
- Be kind to yourself. I know firsthand that treating yourself like somebody you love can be the hardest thing in the world, but simply practicing self-compassion in small ways is enough.
- Drink water. Chances are, you don’t drink enough water each day. Staying hydrated is super important for your physical and mental health. This is a very practical way to practice self-care, and goes hand in hand with being mindful of what you consume and eating healthy meals.
There are so many ways you can practice self-care, and you can start anywhere at any point. This is by no means an exhaustive list; it’s simply meant to be a starting point and to get your own ideas flowing.
the fire journey 