The Other Side of Self-Care
Self-care. It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot lately and it seems like everyone has their own definition for it. To some, self-care may mean taking a relaxing bath every night. To others, it might be getting regular massages or eating nutritious meals. But what about the people who feel like they can’t relax or take time for themselves? What about the people who feel guilty after indulging in “selfish” activities? In this blog post, we’ll explore the clinical side of self-care and discuss how to balance responsibility with self-indulgence.
Self-care is not all about relaxation and self-indulgence. It’s also about taking care of our mental and physical health. For example, people with mental health conditions may need to practice self-care in order to manage their symptoms. Activities like journaling, therapy, and exercise can be helpful for people with mental health conditions.
Routines
One important aspect of self-care is keeping a consistent routine. This can be especially important for people with mental health conditions. A routine can help to stabilize our moods and provide a sense of stability in our lives. It can also help us to manage our time and energy more effectively. Some helpful routines are:
- Waking up and going to bed at the same time each day.
- Eating regular and healthy meals.
- Exercising regularly and doing exercise you enjoy.
- Spending time outside.
- Journaling about your day.
- Practicing meditation or mindfulness. It doesn’t take long, a couple minutes of mindfulness each day can create a lasting impact.
- Set reminders and a schedule for your bills to avoid financial surprises that can lead to stress.
- If you take regular medication, set reminders to help you remember to take them.
Schedule regular check-ups with your therapist and physician.
It’s important to find a balance between responsibility and self-indulgence. We all have responsibilities that we need to take care of, but it’s also important to make time for ourselves. One way to find this balance is by scheduling in “me” time. This can be anything from taking a yoga class to reading a book. It’s important to find an activity that you enjoy and makes you feel good.
Self-care is not selfish. It’s necessary.