Self-care is any activity that you take part in, in order to be good to yourself and take care of your emotional, physical and mental well-being. It is all about taking a step back and re-energizing yourself in order to prevent a burnout. 

Why is it important?

Self-care is a simple concept that is often overlooked by many of us, but it is key in reminding you that you have to be kind to yourself and that maintaining a good relationship with yourself is important. That way, you will learn more about yourself.

Good self-care is crucial for reducing anxiety and stress, and also improves your mood. Taking care of yourself also boosts your self-confidence, meaning that you will always feel good about yourself. There isn’t one specific way to practise self-care, it’s more about figuring out what relaxes you and what makes you feel more at peace with yourself (and feel more like yourself really).

There are different types of self-care. Here are the main ones, with examples:

Social self-care

Social self-care is when you value nurturing good relationships with your loved ones. It helps you understand that you are not on your own, and that there are people who care and love you. For example, regularly having a picnic at a local park with your friends can be considered a social self-care routine.

Mental self-care

Mental self-care has to do with taking care of your mental health. You can do that by meditating, reading a book or learning a new skill.

Physical self-care

Physical self-care has to do with you taking care of your body. For example, making sure that you have 8 hours of sleep every night to ensure that you’re well rested and that you stay energized throughout the day.

Emotional self-care

Emotional self-care is all about taking care of your feelings. This is important because it enables you to deal with your emotions and it can help you become aware of when you’re stressed. This can be done by you acknowledging and processing your feelings as they truly are, and changing unfavourable situations wherever you can. You can start by keeping a journal and being honest with yourself about your feelings. It’s also good to take time for yourself (spend alone time) just to be able to recharge.

For more self-care tips, you can read:

Quiz: Are you taking care of yourself

Why saying ‘no’ can be a good thing

5 Habits to develop this year

5 Ways to Spring Clean your mind

6 Ways to Spring Clean your Soul

As you can see, Choma, self-care is not something you do just one time. It is not costly and it’s not about doing something good for yourself and then simply ticking it off your to-do list. Self-care is something that needs to be a habit, so make a habit of doing things that keep you calm and help you make sure that you’re at your best- mentally, physically and emotionally.

With a little more attention to yourself, you’ll feel connected to the world around you and, most importantly, you’ll feel more connected to yourself.

Remember, if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).