Self-Care as Unique as You Are

If you were to ask five different people to define “self-care,” each would probably give you a slightly different answer. The consensus, though, is that self-care is taking care of yourself and doing something that elicits a sense of calm or joy.

Self-care should be something that brings you happiness and is never something you need permission to do. This can be taking care of yourself emotionally, physically, or mentally. For some people, caring for yourself may be a workout, whereas for others, it might be window-shopping. Other people might prefer crafting or reading a book, as those are ways to keep them mentally stimulated without the stress of everyday life. Whatever it is that you choose to use as a self-care mechanism is perfectly fine.

Self-care can differ day-to-day.

Depending on the day, the self-care you might need can change. The effects of your workload, relationship dynamics, and fluctuating responsibilities of daily life can affect the sort of self-care you need to pursue. As long as you are taking the time out to care for yourself and provide that little sense of joy and happiness, you are doing your job of providing yourself with the care you need.

What do you need right now?

Sometimes, you may need to get some aggression out with a workout but would like to decompress by talking with a friend as well. If you don’t have time in the day for both, consider what you need more in that moment. It may help you to make a pros-and-cons list for each of your options. 

Self-care doesn’t always come easy, so it may be a work in progress. It may even require reworking your schedule to prioritize your needs, but remember: It is important to take the time out for yourself and find the joy you need on a daily basis.

It can change.

What rejuvenates you can change daily, weekly, or even monthly. Maybe reading a book is a perfect stress-relieving activity one week, especially if the weather is bad. But you might find that once the sun is out more, like in the summer, you prefer a daily walk around your neighborhood while listening to your favorite podcast. If you’ve had a particularly bad day, maybe your form of self-care is a fast-paced walk or run followed by a glass of wine. It is OK for your self-care to take different forms in different seasons of life.

Get creative with your self-care.

Self-care doesn’t have to be a walk around the block or a chat with friends. It can be something as simple as organizing the spices in your pantry or having a bubble bath. Maybe you decide to pick up a new hobby, like painting or knitting. Self-care can also be about physically taking care of yourself, so learning karate or swimming laps in a pool can be your form of self-care.

Some people like to write down all of the activities and tasks that bring them joy or peace, then refer to that list when they are looking for a new form of self-care. If you are the type that likes to be surprised, write down all of your potential self-care ideas on individual pieces of paper and put them in a jar. When you need a break, pull out a slip of paper and then complete the activity listed on it.

Farless Dental Group can help you with dental-related care.

Biannual preventive dental checkups at Farless Dental Group are a form of physical self-care. Schedule an appointment with our team for a professional cleaning, and if you are looking for an additional way to treat yourself, consider a teeth-whitening treatment to help bring your smile back to a bright, dazzling white.