Is This One Belief Stopping You From Improving Your Wellbeing?

We’ve all heard the term ‘self care’ but many of us don’t really know what it means.

What comes to mind when you think of self care?  Do you have images of taking a candle-lit bath or spending a day at the spa?. While these activities are great for your physical and mental well-being, they’re not the only ways to show yourself some love.  Self care can be any activity that helps promote your physical and mental wellbeing.

Self care is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘the ability to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness or disability.’  However, for many self care is still thought of as being self-indulgent.

In reality, self care is a necessity.  Here are ways to reframe preconceived notions you may have about self care and its importance.

Self care is expensive.

In fact, self care does not need to cost you anything!  Taking a nap, reading a book, creating a new playlist - these are all forms of self care if they bring you joy.

Self care is boring.

Bubble baths and reading not your thing?  That’s okay.  Self care is about participating in activities that you enjoy.

Self care is time consuming.

Self care isn’t about how long you spend doing an activity.  In fact, it is helpful to intersperse some short self care moments throughout the day.

Self care is selfish.

Self care is about you.  And that’s a good thing!  However, it is also about those around you.  When you take the time to nurture your physical, mental and emotional self you will often find that your relationships improve, too.