SWIHA Blog

Self-care is a modern concept that has permeated our culture and intrigued people in many different fields.

What does self-care really mean? According to this article from the University of Kentucky, it includes a regulatory process by which we approach the normal daily functions of our lives. These functions include, but are not limited to, eating, sleeping, exercise, medical care, relaxation or meditation, and journaling. People that are known to exude excellent forms of self-care seem to all have one main thing in common: They do normal things in extraordinary ways. For example, a form of self-care for someone who wants to exercise and move their body may be to hire a coach and train for a marathon. It might also look like combining creative activities into a fitness regimen, such as doing yoga or aerial arts. Another way in which people can practice self-care is by making a certain length of sleep a non-negotiable priority. For the average American, sleep can be a hard thing to come by. According to this article from Entrepreneur.com the most successful entrepreneurs start their days early and have developed a sleep routine that is natural, and consistent. Self-care permeates through every action that we take during our waking and sleeping hours.

More importantly, it has to do with the energy that we bring into every experience. This can affect us on a biochemical level. According to speaker and scientist Joe Dispenza, whatever message we tell ourselves about our own health and well-being, is sent to the rest of the body. For instance, someone who is given the diagnosis of having cancer will then register that thought mentally, and the brain will actually feed the body the correct chemical concoction of hormones to align with that mental belief in having cancer. Self-care has many faces, and can look different in practice for people of different cultures and beliefs. One grounding commonality of self-care is that people who are exercising naturally feel good. This isn’t the temporary type of feeling good that comes from eating a chocolate bar or going on a burger binge. It is a feeling that is sustainable and augments all of the other processes in one’s life. Self-care is a resourceful way to increase our productivity, because when we feel better, we naturally do better!

As we navigate and come to consensus on trying to define self-care, we learn more about ourselves and are able to share our discoveries with others in the process. Here’s to taking care of yourself this year!

Here are some practical tips that you can start using today to refine your own self-care routine:

Tip 1: Incorporate daily journaling: Studies show that journaling on a consistent basis over time can work to increase and create emotional resilience. When you are able to process and release emotions onto a piece of paper, this creates a healing effect that lasts for a lifetime.

Tip 2: Pursue a life of purpose: Are you living to keep food on the table, or are your actions aligned with a greater plan to share your important life message or execute your life purpose? It is important from a perspective of self-care, to take the time to find meaning and substance behind all of your actions. Who are you here to serve in this life? What were you meant to create? What will it take for you to reach all of your dreams and aspirations, and how can you make a plan for this? Asking better questions will help you clarify and define your own life purpose.

Self-care is an important pillar for your physical and psychological health and overall well-being. It must be tended to like a garden in order to grow, flourish, and bloom. Take these rituals and others that you are curious about and watch your life transform!