The Importance of Self-Care

'Self-care' is a phrase that might make people imagine bubble-baths, massages, relaxing, and getting lots of rest. But the fundamental part of self-care is prioritizing yourself, focusing on the basics that make you feel good and build self-worth. Self-care is nourishing our wellbeing.

There are a lot of ways we can take care of ourselves:

• Eating nourishing foods
• Exercising
• Drinking water
• Putting on sunscreen
• Showering
• Moisturizing
• Stretching
• Meditation
• Movement
• Boundaries
• Journaling
• Putting on lip balm
• Spending time outdoors in the sun

Unfortunately, these things are often the first to go when hard times arise. This in turn can make us spiral further, making it harder to get back into routine. We might reach for the easy feel-good quick-fixes like food, alcohol, TV, or scrolling online. They’re not bad in moderation, but they don’t nourish us.

Spend time looking after yourself, to improve your quality of life and your overall wellbeing, and you’ll improve the love and care that you have for yourself. Treat yourself with the same care as those close to you, and in turn it will help you give back more to them.

Instead of thinking about the activities listed above as a chore, be present in the moment with these things. What usually makes you feel more confident and feel good within yourself? Start there.

Perhaps instead of rushing through washing your face, be present: take your time, focus on how it feels, and how you feel afterwards. Or perhaps working out even when you feel unmotivated or low: think of an exercise that you really enjoy doing, and start with that movement.

Start thinking of these things, not as tasks you have to do, but as activities you choose for yourself because you know they’re going to help you feel better.

This is why shifting the way you view exercise and nutrition is so important. It's something I work with my clients on before anything else, because this needs to be addressed for long-term change.

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