Self-care is one of the most overstated forms of care, and
for good reason. If done right, it can have such a significant impact on
maintaining mental and physical health and defending against daily stress and
anxiety. Yet, it is one of the most misunderstood skills. I know when I first
heard of self-care, I thought of Eat, Pray, Love, and how I was going to fund a
trip to Italy to have sex and eat lots of food. However, that is not only
unrealistic for many of us; it is also an unstable way to practice self-care.
Self-care
Self-care is defined as "the practice of taking action
to preserve or improve one's own health." by the Oxford dictionary. However,
what the directory does not tell you is that self-care is built into the code
of ethics by the American Psychological Association because it is proven to
help prevent burnout, psychological distress, reduce stress and anxiety, and
buffer trauma. Self-care and what is really is, is taught to graduate students
in psychology, and now I am telling you (because I love you).
Myths & Truths
Myth: Self-care is elaborate: Instagram would have us
believing taking a trip to the beach on the other side of the country is
self-care. While it can be, like my statement above, it is unrealistic and not
practical. You cannot up and run when you need to care for yourself.
Truth: Self-care is small daily actions: You have to find
ways to practice every day, and you have to build up to doing it well. Many
times when life gets busy, the first thing we drop are the self-care activists
(I am guilty of this), but it is not good— doing your makeup, playing video
games, reading a book, calling a friend these are small everyday forms of
self-care.
Myth: Self-care cost: Once again, thank you, Instagram.
Self-care in many people's minds are tied to materialistic and monetary ideals,
vacations, yoga classes, mental health retreats, ivory Buddha statutes, health
coaches.
Truth: Self-care can be free: Self-care can be whatever
brings you calm and allows you to focus on you, that can be journaling, talking
to friends, drawing, watching TV, sitting in a dark room alone, or painting
your nails.
Myth: Self-care comes easy: For some people, this is true.
Right out of the box, you are going to take care of yourself, but for others,
this is going to be hard. You can think of other things to do with that time,
money, or resources. However, you have to get past that kind of thinking. You are
worth hat time, money, and resources.
Truth: Self-care is a skill: If you have never seen someone
take time for themselves, self-care is something you have to learn, and that is
okay. The good thing is everyone can learn it, and over time with practice, it
becomes easier.
Myth:Distraction is self-care: If you are doing something
to take your mind off of things going on in your life, that is not self-care.Distraction sometimes is a normal and even healthy response to an event, but
prolonged distraction is unhealthy.
Truth: Self-care is health-focused: Self-care is rooted in
health in every aspect of your life. That sometimes means self-care sucks but
is necessary. Taking a step back from work or that paper to soak in a bath may
seem like a waste of time, but I promise in the long run it matters.
So so true. I have people from a mental illness post asking how I got off meds and you've answered that right here. I took the time to really look into my situation and become proactive in taking care of myself. Great information right here!
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