What is self-care?
Self-care is the practice of taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally, to improve overall well-being and prevent burnout (if you aren’t already burnt out! 😵💫). It involves prioritizing and attending to your own needs and feelings, which I would be willing to bet, you often overlook in the hustle and bustle of daily life. That’s right, ladies – you need to actually take time away from caring for others long enough to do something for you. Or perhaps a whole day, hence: Self-Care Saturday!! 🥳
Self-care can take many forms, including getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness or meditation, spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, taking a break from work or technology, and seeking help when needed. Of course, it doesn’t have to be difficult or take a lot of time, which we will get to in a bit.
Self-care is important because it can help reduce stress, increase self-awareness, improve mental health, and boost overall happiness and satisfaction in life. By taking care of ourselves, we can be better equipped to handle life’s challenges and support those around us.
What self-care isn’t
Self-care is often misunderstood or misrepresented in popular culture. Here are some things that self-care isn’t:
- Self-care isn’t selfish: Taking care of oneself is not selfish or self-indulgent. It is a necessary practice for maintaining one’s overall well-being, which can positively impact others.
- Self-care isn’t always luxurious: While self-care can involve indulgent activities like spa treatments or vacations, it can also involve simpler activities like taking a walk or spending time with loved ones.
- Self-care isn’t a one-time event: Self-care is a practice that needs to be integrated into one’s daily life. It’s not just something to do once in a while when we feel overwhelmed or burnt out.
- Self-care isn’t a cure-all: While self-care can help reduce stress and improve mental health, it’s not a substitute for professional treatment or medication when necessary.
- Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution: What works for one person may not work for another. Self-care is a personal practice that should be tailored to an individual’s needs, preferences, and circumstances.
Understanding what self-care isn’t can help us approach it more intentionally and effectively, so that we can reap the many benefits it offers.
Types of Self-Care
- Physical Self-Care: Engage in activities that nourish your body, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and proper rest.
- Emotional Self-Care: Prioritize activities that promote emotional well-being, like journaling, therapy, connecting with loved ones, or indulging in hobbies that bring you joy.
- Mental Self-Care: Challenge your mind with activities such as reading, learning a new skill, solving puzzles, or practicing mindfulness and meditation.
- Social Self-Care: Nurture your social connections by spending quality time with friends and family, joining support groups, or participating in community activities.
Self-care Saturday (or Self-care Wednesday, Thursday or any day!)
Now, of course, you could do a whole day focused on self-care, which would be amazing. But, if that’s not possible (because, oh, you know…LIFE 🙇🏼♀️), keep in mind that just doing one or two of these would be amazing! Here are some fun Self-Care Saturday ideas:
- Start the day with a healthy breakfast that you love and savor every bite.
- Take a leisurely walk or hike in nature to clear your mind and get some fresh air.
- Schedule a massage, facial, or other spa treatment to pamper yourself.
- Attend a yoga or fitness class to work up a sweat and release endorphins.
- Spend time with friends or family, whether it’s going out to brunch or having a game night at home.
- Treat yourself to a favorite activity, such as painting, gardening, or reading a book.
- Take a relaxing bath with essential oils, candles, and soothing music.
- Try a new healthy recipe or indulge in a favorite meal or snack.
- Write in a journal or practice gratitude by reflecting on the positive things in your life.
- Turn off your phone or other devices for a few hours and disconnect from social media and work.
- Get a good night’s sleep or take a nap to recharge your batteries.
- Practice mindfulness meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Spend some time doing something creative, such as writing poetry or playing music.
- Watch a feel-good movie or TV show that you love.
- Practice self-compassion and talk to yourself kindly, reminding yourself of your strengths and accomplishments.
I feel like most women reading this may have trouble taking a whole Saturday and spending it on self-care…so my advice is to make a list (or use the one above) to add one of these self-care activities to every weekend. That way, you are trying out multiple self-care ideas to see how you like them AND you are creating a nice routine, to help incorporate self-care into your schedule.
Self-Care Weekend
So if my perfectionists are reading this and want to “all or nothing” this self-care jazz, then going HARD on self-care would be planning a self-care WEEKEND!!! Planning a self-care weekend can be a great way to recharge, de-stress, and focus on yourself. Here are some steps to help you plan a self-care weekend (if you have time for that sort of thing!):
- Decide on the date and duration: Choose a date that works well for you, and decide how long you want your self-care weekend to be. It can be a Friday night to Sunday afternoon or any other combination that works best for you.
- Choose a location: Decide where you want to spend your self-care weekend. You can choose to stay at home or book a cozy cabin, a hotel room, or a retreat center.
- Plan your activities: Make a list of activities that you want to do during your self-care weekend. This could include anything from reading a book, taking a bath, practicing yoga, or going for a hike. Be sure to include a mix of relaxing and energizing activities.
- Create a self-care kit: Gather all the items you need to help you relax and recharge. This could include essential oils, candles, a comfortable robe, a journal, healthy snacks, and anything else that helps you feel pampered.
- Unplug and disconnect: Make a conscious effort to disconnect from work and technology during your self-care weekend. This means turning off your phone and avoiding social media and emails.
- Ask for support: If you have children or other responsibilities, consider asking for help from a family member or friend so that you can fully focus on your self-care weekend.
- Be kind to yourself: Remember that the goal of your self-care weekend is to take care of yourself, so be kind to yourself and do what feels right for you.
Now, I will say that I work with a woman who gets a hotel room for her birthday weekend and then she chooses each year how she spends that time: sleeping in, binge watching shows, reading, spa treatments, etc. She will also choose WHO accompanies her: her mom, her friends and even sometimes, her husband (but he’s usually watching the kids!). Do with that information as you choose 😉
With these tips, you can plan a self-care weekend that helps you feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and ready to take on the world.
Anyway you swing it, self-care is important and with as much stress as we carry, it’s important to tune into ourselves sometimes.
