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Self-care involves any action that can help keep you physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.  When you practice self-care, you are improving your well-being.

Many people confuse self-care with self-indulgence or being selfish, but self-care is about taking care of your body and mind. You want to practice self-care in order to be able to stay physically healthy, emotionally stable, and mentally well.

Self-care consists of actions that you take throughout the day. You should be mindful of the self-care practices that you incorporate into your everyday routine.

What are the benefits of self-care?

There are a few benefits of practicing self-care, including:

• Feeling more energized throughout the day
• Building positive relationships with friends, family, and the community
• Better handling emotions and recognizing how to deal with them
• Relieving and tackling stress and anxiety
• Maintaining and caring for your body
• Helping you find purpose and setting goals for yourself

Physical Self Care

Here are some ways to maintain good physical self-care:

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Some easy ways to exercise include walking, hiking, playing a sport, and swimming.
• Eat a balanced diet. You should aim to eat healthy and make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep. Getting enough sleep can help you feel better and improve your performance throughout the day.
• Drink enough water. Drink enough water to stay hydrated, especially if you exercise or go outside frequently.
• Wear sunscreen outside. Even when it’s cloudy, you should wear sunscreen to avoid getting sunburns on your skin.
• Maintain good hygiene. You should have a hygiene routine that helps you freshen up and take proper care of your body.
• Have a good skincare routine. You should have a skincare routine that cleanses your skin and helps it stay healthy.
• Remove makeup at night. If you wear makeup, always remove it at night to ensure that you aren’t harming your skin by clogging your pores.
• Read the labels on products. For any products you use on yourself, try to avoid harmful chemicals that can cause long-lasting damage to your body.
• Avoid harmful habits like smoking and alcohol. You should work to avoid smoking and alcohol; if you need help, contact a medical professional to quit.
• Get regular health checkups. You should go for your annual health screenings and any additional checkups recommended by your doctor.
• Get your eyesight checked once a year. You should always have a professional check your eyesight to ensure your prescriptions are up to date and that your eyes are healthy.
• See a dentist twice a year. It is recommended to visit a dentist bi-annually to get your teeth checked for cavities and oral diseases.
• Take recommended medications consistently. If you’re on medications, build a routine to keep yourself on track with taking them every day.
• Practice good posture. Whether you’re walking or sitting, try to maintain good posture to keep your body in shape.
• Take relaxing baths. Every once in a while, you should treat yourself to a relaxing bath where you can soothe your muscles.

Mental Self Care

Here are some ways you can practice self-care for mental health:

• Follow a routine. You should plan a routine and follow it daily to keep yourself on track.
• Maintain a balance between work and family. Find the balance between work and family to keep a healthy work-life balance.
• Learn to say no. Many people struggle to say no when asked to perform a favor, but knowing what’s on your plate and how much you can handle can help you better balance your life.
• Meditate frequently. You can meditate on your day and what you are grateful for to practice mindfulness.
• Learn how to deal with stress. You should learn healthy ways to cope with stress, and give yourself time when you feel stressed out.
• Reflect on things you are grateful for. You should frequently reflect on the people, places, and things that you are grateful for.
• Give yourself compliments. Give yourself compliments to help boost your mood and recognize the hard work that you put in each day.
• Keep positive relationships in your life. Check up on and spend time with friends and family who add meaning to your life.
• Spend time in nature. Spend time in nature and enjoy the creatures and flowers you find.
• Develop good habits. Develop a good set of habits that can keep you healthy and on track for your goals.
• Focus on fulfilling hobbies. You should enjoy hobbies that fulfill you and help you learn new things.
• Keep your mind active. Do activities that can keep your mind active, such as puzzles, reading, and board games.
• Take time away from the internet. You should aim to take some time away from the world of social media and the internet to focus on people and other hobbies.
• Allow yourself to take vacations. Whether you take off a day or a week, give yourself some time to relax and enjoy the world.
• Fill your mind with positivity. You should fill your mind with positive thoughts, and knowing when to step away from negativity that can impact your mental health.

What Is and Isn’t Self Care

Many people will indulge in activities that they will count as “self-care.” However, oftentimes these activities will add a negative impact on your life because they aren’t actually self-care.

For example, if you decide to eat cake after dinner, you might say that this activity is “treating yourself.” If it helps you destress and is used as a reward once in a while, eating cake could be a good idea for self-care. However, if it’s a habit to eat cake every day, eventually you may find it harder to maintain weight, which can impact your physical self-care. It can also help you feel mentally defeated if you can’t break the habit.

Try to practice self-care with the mentality of, “will this activity help me feel emotionally or physically healthy?” You should also never do activities that are outside your means, because that could cause some financial stress.

About Saber Healthcare Group

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides services to more than 115 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Delaware, and Florida. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.