Presented by BetterHelp.

What Is Self-Care? 

When you leave the gym knowing you did something to make yourself feel healthier and stronger, that’s self-care. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, self-care offers a multitude of benefits. Self-care can help you improve energy levels, better manage stress, and even helps decrease the risks associated with developing certain illnesses. 

As parents and caregivers, it can be easy to feel like you give everything to the people around you. But you can only do that when you have enough gas in the tank, so let’s take a look at some of the forms of self-care you can use to feel more revitalized. 

What Are Some Kinds Of Self-Care?

Self-care can take many forms and be directed to replenishing your mind, body, or soul. For some people, certain parts of their life need more replenishment than other parts, and it’s important to examine where we most feel depleted. Once we take the time to acknowledge where we could use more support, we can start to bring more self-care to that area of our life.

The practice of self-care is often divided into the Seven Pillars of Self-Care: mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, environmental, social, and recreational. But the forms self-care can take are almost limitless. For some, it can mean getting more exercise. Or it could be as simple as getting a large water bottle to better insure your daily hydration intake. One small thing can be enough to make your day and your life better. 

Ways To Add Self-Care To Your Life

Self-care doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. For some, finding a free meditation app with reminders to take a one-minute break a few times a day provides welcome refreshment to the grind of daily living. Self-care has many paths, give yourself the gift of exploring new roads and possibilities. Here are a few to consider:

• Go on daily walks and get regular exercise

• Get a special water bottle to track your hydration

• Eat healthier meals

• Prioritize healthy sleep routines

• Make practicing gratitude a daily habit

• Journal your goals and dreams

• Take social media or television breaks

• Go to coffee with a friend

• Take a minute to meditate and focus on breathing

• Clear up a cluttered drawer or closet

• Seek support with a therapist 

How Is Therapy Part of Self-Care? 

Self-care is about taking steps to promote your overall health and mental health. Sometimes, therapy itself is part of your self-care routine. Fortunately, there are more options for seeking the support of a therapist today than ever before. With the benefit of technology, it’s possible to meet with a therapist online conveniently from the comfort of your own home. So, even if you thought traditional therapy wasn’t an option with your schedule, you may be able to work with someone online.

Best of all, you don’t need to be suffering from a mental illness to seek the support of a therapist. You may just want to work on some things that you know could be improved, like your relationships or work life. A therapist can help you work on current issues you’re facing and help you achieve future goals. 

Takeaway

When a battery gets drained, you plug it in to recharge. There’s no reason to feel like self-care is an extra treat you only get when everything else is checked off your list. Some days, self-care is a necessity not an indulgence. There can be challenging parts of your life that need more attention, and the best thing you can do is ask for help. Take the steps you need to take to bring more self-care in your life. A small step today can lead to big improvements in your life tomorrow.