Wellness Wednesday: Self-Care Essentials: Incorporating Self-Care Into Your Everyday Life

You have probably heard of the term “self-care” by now. The term self-care has become a buzz word in media. There are plenty of products and services that use the concept of self-care as a marketing tool. This version of self-care can seem very overwhelming, but let’s take a look at a simpler, more attainable approach to self-care. 

Self-Care Basics

Self-care at its root is care for you, provided by you. It is any action you take to ensure your most basic needs are being met, incorporating mental and physical wellness. Self-care is not only a way to help you manage stress, but it has many additional associated benefits. Some of these benefits include helping to increase productivity, boosting self-esteem and preventing burnout. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it is important to remember that regularly practicing self-care can help us to use our time more efficiently as well as improve our overall well-being.

Self-Care on a Schedule 

When it comes to self-care, it is not an all-or-nothing scenario. Even finding five minutes throughout the day to devote to self-care can be helpful. Some quick activities that can be done in five minutes or less include taking a dance or stretch break to listen to your favorite song, following a short guided meditation,or simply drinking a glass of water.

If you feel like you are approaching burnout or simply feel fatigued from the day, it can be helpful to take it back to the basics. Ask yourself questions like “Did I get enough sleep last night?”, “Have I had enough to eat and drink?”, and “When was the last time I talked to someone I care about?”. 

After completing this check-in, identify any needs you can easily meet in the next few moments. This can be as simple as grabbing a glass of water or taking a short walk outside in between meetings. 

It can also be beneficial to have a self-care kit on hand filled with items you enjoy. A self-care kit is a collection of items that you can use to take a moment for yourself and bring you back to the present moment. This kit can come to life in many ways. It doesn’t have to be a special box you create, it could be a drawer in your desk at work or even a small pouch you keep in your work or bookbag — wherever it is convenient to find in times of need. 

Try to use items that engage your five (or six if you include spirit) senses. For example, you could add photos of people or events that bring you joy and calming essential oils like lavender. Other examples can look like a favorite (nonperishable) snack or drink mix and a book or journal. You can even make it a social event by gathering your friends to create your self-care kits together.

Self-Care is Hard, But You’re Worth It! 

Self-care can seem really hard, but you’re not alone in feeling this way. Wellness scholar and author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe stressed that “it takes active effort…to prioritize and integrate our self-care as successful professionals.” 

However, exhaustion and burnout cannot be viewed as markers of success, especially not sustainable ones. While a balanced lifestyle may be  something you seek from self-care, it is important to recognize that these acts of kindness to yourself are not selfish. Giving yourself permission to put yourself first is a crucial step in prioritizing you, and today we hope you allow yourself to reset, embrace your feelings, and move with the confidence that you can do hard things! Review a list of affirmations you can try any time of day as a reminder of your value. 

How Will You Practice Self-Care?

Whether you are attending a social self-care event, like a Howl and Chill, or reading up on the self-help resources offered through the Counseling Center, our challenge to you is to declare it. Make it a point to build self-care into your daily routine, no matter how hectic a schedule you have, and live by the knowledge that you are resilient and so worth the effort!