Self-Care Guide:
More Than A Fad
Author: be well™ with Big Y® Registered Dietitian Team
The topic of self-care may feel en vogue, but its impact is greater and more sustainable than any trendy diet. Carving out space in one’s life to practice self-care has proven a meritable endeavor during the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it requires just that: practice.
There are two truths for practicing self-care:
What works is different for everyone and its cost can vary considerably.
What is self-care?
Taking care of yourself emotionally, physically and spiritually. One may say it’s a union between your mind, body and soul. What brings you self-care is completely up to you and varies from day to day. That detail is often missed and can result in unhealthy FOMO (fear of missing out). Don’t let it!
Will self-care cost you?
Yes, but not necessarily monetarily. You won’t need to dish out dollars for every act of self-care, but you may need to divvy up other assets like time and energy. Luckily, once you begin looking at behaviors through the filter of “Does this help or hinder my greater good?”—a pivot to the best use of your money, time and energy may feel seamless.
SELF-CARE PRACTICES:
FROM DIY TO “OH, MY, MY...”
#1 Sleep: Sleeping 7 to 9 hours can do wonders for your resilience and confidence.
#2 Breathe: Many people breathe like they’re in fi ght, fl ight or freeze mode all day long: quick and shallow breaths. Your body craves deep belly breaths with elongated exhales. Feeling tense, overwhelmed and/or stuck? Take three deep belly breaths with long exhales and notice what changes you feel in your body.
#3 Shower and/or Bathe: Having a quiet space where you can be alone with your thoughts, while immersed in warmth, can be an awesome reset. Take a little longer in your next shower, or opt for a bath, to enjoy the benefits of a selfdirected spa moment.
#4 Eat: Food has the power to heal and prevent disease as well as mend a broken spirit. Be mindful of what you eat and why you eat it. Arm your body with powerful nutrients every day, while giving indulgent foods their time to shine every now and then.
#5 Move: Not much helps release build-up energy before it gets misplaced in a ruminating mind better than body movement. Whether it’s a mini dance party break during the workday or a neighborhood walk after dinner, the opportunity to move your body doesn’t require a formal gym membership.
#6 Check In: Sometimes the greatest act of self-care comes from staying aware of where you are mentally and emotionally. By reading, journaling, sitting quietly under a tree or catching up with friends remotely — stay in tune with what’s going on within you.
#7 Get Away: Whether it’s a quick day trip to the mountains or a COVID-safe getaway to a tropical yoga retreat, give yourself permission to step away from your normal routine. Physically checking out provides your brain with necessary reprieve as well.
Reviewed 2/27/2023