In today’s fast-paced world, self-care is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. As we juggle the demands of work, relationships, and daily responsibilities, it is vital to take time to nurture our well-being to maintain and support our mental and physical health. However, when we think about self-care we may imagine expensive spa days and retreats. While this can be part of a beneficial self-care routine, it isn’t necessary to drain your bank account to promote wellness.
July 24 is International Self-Care Day. This day raises awareness about the importance of self-care as a foundation of health around the globe. World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as “what you can do on your own and in your community to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker.” This can be anything from getting enough sleep to taking a solo vacation to an ocean front. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to self-care; it should be personalized to you and your lifestyle. This International Self-Care Day, try some of these accessible self-care tips and activities to see what works for you.
Our physical and mental health are deeply intertwined; by focusing on your physical health, you will also see benefits in your mental health. To promote self-care and mental wellness, move your body in a way that works for you. Take a class at the gym, go on a nature walk, or do a twenty-minute workout in your living room. Yoga can also be a great low-strain exercise that can be easily adapted to what works for you. You can find videos online of yoga routines at different levels of difficulty. JABA’s YouTube channel has a playlist of chair yoga courses you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Practicing meditation and mindfulness is also an affordable and accessible form of self-care. Mindfulness is the idea of staying present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and body without judgment. Take short stretch breaks starting at the top of your body and work downwards, focus on your breathing and how your body feels in each stretch to calm down your nervous system. Having a daily journal can also promote more mindfulness in your life. Each day, set aside ten minutes to free write. This can be anything that comes to you in those ten minutes, from short stories to a recap of your day. The important thing is not to let the daily stressors of life overtake these activities. If you find yourself running through your mental to-do list of responsibilities, take a second to step back and take some deep breaths.
Flexing our creative muscles is also a form of self-care. Being creative can boost your mood, reduce stress, process emotions, and even improve problem-solving. Being creative doesn’t mean you have to make something from scratch. Even an adult coloring book can strengthen your creativity. However, if you want something more involved, try taking an art class or trying out an artistic hobby you’ve always wanted to try. Don’t let the fear of creating bad art prevent you from making any art.
Although we may not want to admit it, constantly sitting in front of a screen is not beneficial to positive mental health. Each day, set aside an hour (or more) to do a digital detox. Put your phone in another room, turn off the TV, close the computer, and focus your attention on an activity that does not require screens. Possibly take the time to do chores, cook dinner, read a book, or one of the other activities mentioned previously.
Ultimately, promoting a positive mental attitude is one of the most important parts of self-care. Speak to yourself with kindness, allow yourself to have ‘lazy days’ where you do nothing but sleep in and binge-watch a TV show, or repeat positive affirmations to yourself. Creating a positive mental attitude will support physical health and your overall well-being. If you are a caregiver, this is even more important. By practicing self-care, you can better manage stress, improve mental clarity, and maintain emotional balance. This, in turn, enables you to offer better support and care to those around you. Additionally, by creating a positive mental attitude, you cultivate more compassion and kindness for yourself, which reflects in the way you interact with others.
Adding self-care into your daily life doesn’t require extravagant spending and elaborate routines; all you need is intention. Embracing small, intentional acts of self-care, like movement, mindfulness, creativity, and digital breaks, you both enhance your health and create a ripple effect of positivity for those around you. This International Self-Care Day, take a moment to reflect on what self-care means to you and explore activities that work for you and your lifestyle. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
Ty Mynes is a Communications Specialist and Writer at JABA.