What does this self-care thing look like anyhow?

By: Jeanette Rupar, LMT, BCTMB

Self-care. We hear about it all the time. It brings up thoughts of hot baths with candles and a book, or maybe a spa day with large white fluffy robes with massages and facials oh my. But what specifically is this thing called self care? Why is important enough for people to keep mentioning and clamoring on about?

Self-care is a conglomerate of various activities that help our physical, mental and emotional states. It looks different at different times, and consists of many different things. Sometimes it looks like fluffy robes at a spa, or a nice hot bath. Or reading. But it looks like other things, too.

It looks like going to the doctor about a physical problem you may be experiencing.

It looks like going to the psychiatrist to talk about issues that may be going through your head.

It looks like exercising and eating foods that are healthy and nutritious.

Sometimes it looks like checking your bank accounts and paying your bills (because worrying over paying bills causes anxiety).

And yes, some of these are unpleasant, and sometimes hard to do. I know that there are times you don’t have all of the money to pay for all of the things. Yes, sometimes you have to make tough decisions. Making those decisions aren’t easy.

But even if you are facing hard decisions, and you feel like these things are overwhelming. Do small bits a time. Find a way that when you do an “unpleasant” thing, you reward yourself too. Take that nice hot bath. Don’t like baths? Hot showers can make you feel just as nice. Take half an hour, read a chapter of a favorite book, listen to some music that you enjoy. Have a visit with friends. Enjoy some outdoor time. Garden. Do whatever it is that helps you bring even a bit of joy, of peace into your life.

Life is hard. Self care helps. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. We’re all in this together.