Self-Care: What Does it Really Mean?

We hear a lot these days about self-care and how important it is to our health and well being. It’s become a trendy buzzword. But to be honest, when I first started hearing about self-care, it left me feeling a bit frustrated and over-whelmed….I have enough on my To-Do List, and you’re asking me to add more? Plus I didn’t really feel drawn to the things I typically associated with self-care, such as long baths, spa days or retail therapy.

But then I started studying Functional Medicine and learning more about self-care. I realized that it is actually about something more simple, but at the same time immensely more profound, than what I had assumed. The essence of self-care is that we prioritize our needs in the same way we would prioritize the needs of a loved one. 

Self-care is not about self-indulgence, it is not selfish. It is not necessarily about doing what is glamorous and expensive (although it can be if you want it to be!). Sometimes it can mean making difficult decisions and letting go of things which don’t serve us and aren’t healthy for us. Self-care is about self-love, compassion, and nourishment.

It is self-preservation!

For many of us, especially moms who are always putting other’s needs ahead of our own, practicing self-care can feel like a foreign concept. Some of us struggle with the idea of appreciating ourselves enough to make an effort to look after ourselves. But we all have needs- emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual- and we are no good to others if we are ignoring our own needs. Instead we become overwhelmed, resentful, and eventually burnt out.  Self-care is about rejuvenation, self-awareness, and putting in the effort. What self-care looks like to you will be as unique as you are. It might mean adding a salad to your dinner every night, or it might mean allowing yourself a bowl of ice cream once a week without feeling guilty. It might mean learning that it’s ok to say no, or it might mean saying yes to new experiences. 

So how do we start becoming more aware of our self-care needs?

Get in the habit of checking in with yourself and listening to what your mind and body need. It’s ok to start small. Is it truly necessary to complete that pinterest-worthy craft project with your child? Maybe a long walk together could be just as beneficial for both of you. Are you feeling like the monotony of daily life is getting you down? Maybe it’s time to take up a new hobby, spend more time in nature, or play a new game with your family.  Do you notice that you tend to feel depleted around a specific person in your life? Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate the quality of the relationship. Are you feeling stiff and achy? Maybe it’s time for some stretches. 

I’ve made up a list of self-care examples, and I’d like to invite you to create your own self-care plan! More on that in a bit inshAllah…

Now Let’s Create Our Own Self-care Plan!

For each category above, choose at least one strategy that you can and want to try. It is important to develop a self-care plan that is individual to you. Remember to…

• Keep your plan in a place where you can see it every day.
• Be very specific in your plan about when, where, and how you will incorporate these activities into your daily life.
• Re-assess after 1 month and make alternations to your plan if needed. New practices can take a while to become habits, so be patient with yourself.
• Once you have created your own Self-Care Plan ask yourself, “what might get in the way?” For example, if one of my goals is to take daily walks, what if it rains/snows/dust storms? Is there a back-up plan or any adjustments you can make?

What does self-care mean to you? Let me know in the comments below! 💜