What is Self-Care and Why is it Important?
Rebecca Leon, MHC-LP
It’s no question that the last few years in the wake of a pandemic have been hard—since the start of COVID-19, our lives have dramatically changed. In response to these difficult changes, we’ve seen a stronger push toward prioritizing mental health and self-care. While the topic of mental health has become more commonplace, many people still struggle to understand what self-care truly means. Understanding the importance of self-care is the first step in learning how to implement it into daily life. So, what is self-care, and why is it so important?
Self-care is the process of intentionally engaging in strategies that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being. It involves the pursuit of activities that promote mental, emotional, and physical health (Scott, 2023). Self-care can take many forms—it can involve personal factors such as empowerment, self-reliance, autonomy, self-efficacy, and personal responsibility, and it can also involve communal factors such as community involvement, neighborhood participation, and cultural empowerment (Pratt, 2021).
Self-care is crucial for building resilience toward the stressors of everyday life. It is an essential component for preventing distress, burnout, and impairment. Having an effective self-care routine has numerous health benefits, such as reducing anxiety and depression, decreasing stress, improving resilience, increasing energy, and building stronger interpersonal relationships (Pratt, 2021). There are several domains of self-care, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social components. Here are some ways to implement self-care across these different domains:
Physical: Physical self-care is important for preventing illness, managing chronic conditions, and increasing overall well-being. Physical health can also impact mental health, which is why taking care of physical needs is essential for keeping the mind and body running smoothly. Physical self-care includes fueling your body, getting enough sleep and physical activity, maintaining personal hygiene, attending healthcare appointments, and taking prescribed medications (if needed). Engaging in physical self-care not only feels good for your body but can improve overall health and reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses.
Mental: Self-care is crucial for maintaining good mental health and preventing burnout. Engaging in self-care can help manage stress, reduce anxiety and depression, and improve overall mood. Mental self-care incorporates activities or hobbies that bring you joy, such as reading, knitting, listening to music, or spending time in nature. Self-care within this domain may also include stress-relieving activities, such as taking a hot bath, practicing meditation, yoga, or getting a massage. By taking care of our mental health, we can improve our quality of life, reduce stress, and enhance our relationships with others.
Emotional: Self-care also means attending to emotional needs. It's important to have healthy coping skills to deal with difficult emotions such as anger, anxiety, or sadness. Emotional self-care allows us to process and manage our feelings in a healthy way. Activities that promote emotional wellness may include talking to a friend or family member about difficult feelings, journaling, or seeking help from a mental health counselor.
Spiritual: Research shows that a lifestyle incorporating religion or spirituality is generally healthier (Scott, 2013). However, engaging in spiritual self-care doesn’t have to involve religion. Self-care within this domain may include activities that help nurture a deeper sense of meaning, understanding, or connection with the universe. Spiritual self-care may include prayer, meditation, or attending a religious service.
Social: Humans are social beings, which is why socialization is another important aspect of self-care. Although everyone has slightly different social needs, cultivating and maintaining close relationships can be vital to a healthy lifestyle. The key is to determine what your social needs are and how to incorporate them into your schedule. Prioritizing these social needs can increase mental well-being and reduce feelings of isolation, thus promoting positive mental health outcomes.
It's important to remember that self-care looks different for everyone. What works for one person may not work for another. An effective self-care plan should be tailored to your individual lifestyle and needs. The key is to find activities that you enjoy and make you feel good.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
Sources
Pratt, E. (2021). What Self-Care Is—and What It Isn’t. PsychCentral.
Scott, E. (2023). 5 Self-Care Practices for Every Area of Your Life. Verymindwell.