The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “The ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.” (Self-care interventions for health, n.d.) Self-care is a large part of maintaining the concept of “I am enough.” We can’t continue to believe that we are enough if we are not taking care of ourselves. It’s not enough to just make the statement then sit back and expect everything to be perfect. Being “Enough” takes work, and self-care is one part of that work. There are several techniques that can be used to take care of ourselves. A list presented by Walt’s Waltz encompasses many of them: Visualize & Reflect - What does self-care look like for you. Picture yourself practicing self-care. Practice Mindfulness - Pay attention to the present moment with intention, kindness, & curiosity. Acknowledge Emotions - Try to describe and observe feelings, bodily sensations, and thoughts without judgment. Engage the five senses - Breathe, deliberately breathe more deeply and slowly using long, slow exhalations Notice Stress within Your Body. Deliberately tense and relax large muscle groups. Begin with toes moving to legs, torso, arms, neck, and facial muscles. Tense each set of muscles, hold the tension, then slowly release the tension, and notice the difference. Listen to Music calming, soothing to you. Can activate your social safety system. View Pictures linked to warmth, joy, a sense of peace. Possibly, pictures of family, loved ones, friends, pets, landscapes, or whatever provides you comfort. (Welcome to Walt’s Waltz Self-Care Tips page!, n.d.) Self-care is not the same for everyone. Self-care requires checking in with yourself and asking yourself how you’re doing physically, mentally, and emotionally. Some people use it to deal with difficult news stories, while others practice self-care just to maintain their happiness day to day. (Lawler, 2023) There are several different kinds of self-care, including: Self-care is not something one engages in for selfish reasons or simple self-indulgence. Self-care means taking care of 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. Here are some tips to starting and maintaining a self-care routine that will not only benefit you, but those around you:
References
Lawler, M. (2023, March 17). What Is Self-Care, and Why Is It So Important for Your Health? Retrieved from Everyday Health: https://www.everydayhealth.com/self-care/#definition Self-care interventions for health. (n.d.). Retrieved from World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/self-care#tab=tab_1 Welcome to Walt’s Waltz Self-Care Tips page! (n.d.). Retrieved from Walt's Waltz: https://www.waltswaltz.com/resourcesself-care
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AuthorI am a Performance Enhancement Specialist with a background in Emergency Psychiatric Medicine and Community Addiction. Archives
December 2023
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