What is self-care?

Self-care refers to the activities, actions, behaviours and beliefs that we undertake with the intention of enhancing and nurturing our mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and social health (Carancihe).

Self-care is not:

  • About being self-indulgent or selfish
  • An “emergency response plan” to be activated when stress becomes overwhelming.
  • About just ‘ticking the self-care box’ or a undertaking a prescribed set of actions like eating your spinach or doing 100 sit-ups a day

Self-care is much more than this. It is:

  • an ongoing daily commitment to look after yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day
  • Developing an awareness and connection between the body and the being
  • A way of being and living that is personal and always developing and unfolding
  • A foundation for a supportive and remarkable quality of living
  • Why is it important?

    Self-care is essential for managing stress, preventing burnout, and mitigating compassion fatigue – all common occupational hazards for caring individuals. Self-care is also important for a sense of overall integrity, as it ensures we are “walking our talk.” We can only give to others what we are in some way giving and receiving for ourselves.

    For health care workers and others who give a lot of themselves in service to the health and well-being of others in some way – self-care and care of others becomes an important balancing act. The focus is often on the results they are achieving with and for others.

    Self-care involves focusing on your own needs and taking time to rest, reflect, replenish, and renew. It’s about paying attention to what is happening to you both physically and emotionally so that you are able to identify when something is affecting you and implement strategies to reduce the feelings of stress to protect your mental health.

  • How do I start a self-care routine?

    To get into a routine of regularly practicing self-care, start small rather than tackling the most challenging thing first. Choose one practice each week to weave into your daily routine. Note any positive changes, and add in more practices when you feel ready.

    Read BJ Fogg’s ‘Tiny Habits’  for some inspiration.

  • Ways to look after yourself

    Physical self-care (the body) – involves ensuring an overall healthy lifestyle that includes:

    • Eating healthy, drinking lots of water, getting plenty exercise, getting enough rest and sleep and limiting/avoiding the use of alcohol and other substances.
    • De-clutter your home and office so that you have a feeling of spaciousness and manageability
    • Take time away from computers, TV, and your smartphone (sedentary lifestyles are a health issue).
    • Enjoy moments to rest and replenish

     

    Emotional self-care – to love, care and be in relationship with yourself and others
    Activities might include:

    • Setting clear boundaries on your time and energy
    • Engage emotional boundaries within helping relationships
    • Surrounding yourself with positive people and affirmative and inspiring messages
    • Address any issues or problems so that they don’t build up
    • Give and receive love, kindness, and support
    • Spend time with people you care about and who care about you

     

    Psychological self-care (the mind): to learn, think, grow
    Activities might include:

    • Personal and professional development
    • Give attention to things that are in your control (your sphere of influence).
    • Take time for personal reflection
    • Notice your inner experiences, thoughts, and feelings
    • Cultivate self-awareness through things such as journaling, getting feedback from others, meditation, coaching/counselling, and consultation or supervision
    • Make time for interests and things you enjoy
    • Get involved and join a group with common interests
    • Learn something new to help build you confidence

     

    Spiritual self-care – connect with essence, purpose, and meaning
    Activities might include:

    • Prayer or meditation
    • Practice gratitude
    • Spend time in nature, and be aware of the non-material aspects of your life
    • Identify what is meaningful to you in your work and life
    • Practice mindfulness and being present in the moment
    • If you have spiritual beliefs, make time for regular spiritual practice
    • Connect with others who share your philosophy
  • Asking for help

    Reach out for support when you need it. Everyone needs support from time to time. Talking to a family member, a friend, your doctor or one of the many services available can make all the difference.

    See the ‘Get Help Now’ section of this website for a wide range of professional support programs and services.

References:
https://everymind.org.au/need-help/self-care
https://lifeinmind.org.au/research/self-care