The phrase “self-care” might conjure a mental image of scented candles, expensive skincare routines or a relaxing day at the spa. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but they represent only a tiny fraction of what it means to treat yourself kindly.
Self-care doesn’t have to be a complex undertaking. It might mean getting enough sleep, working out with your friends, cooking yourself a healthy meal or finally scheduling that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.
September is Self-Care Awareness Month, making it an excellent time to reconsider the meaning of this concept. Learning to care for your physical and emotional needs is a critical component of becoming healthier, more independent and more resilient.
Self-Care Isn’t Self-Indulgence
One enduring misconception about self-care is that it means being selfish or doing whatever feels good in the moment. Sometimes the goal of self-care is pure enjoyment or relaxation. Other times, it means doing something mildly inconvenient today because you know it will make tomorrow easier – such as going to bed early, cleaning your room, studying for an exam, finishing a project or saying no to a party that could threaten your recovery. All these choices qualify as self-care because they protect your future well-being.
Here are a few ideas you can use to incorporate self-care into your everyday routine.
1. Have Fun With Fitness
You don’t have to spend hours at the gym to benefit from physical activity. Surfing, hiking, basketball, swimming, lifting weights, running or taking a walk can give you an opportunity to get out of your head and reconnect with your body. Regular movement can also support your mood, sleep and stress tolerance.
Choose something you genuinely enjoy instead of forcing yourself to slog through a workout you hate. You’re much more likely to stick with a habit when you look forward to it.
2. Take Your Sleep Seriously
Sleep is one of the simplest forms of self-care, and paradoxically, it’s also the one many people chronically neglect. Staying up until 2 a.m. gaming, scrolling through your phone or binge-watching a show might feel like downtime, but it won’t be particularly restorative if you’re exhausted the next morning.
A consistent sleep schedule allows your brain and body to recover from stress and repair daily wear and tear. Well-rested people also tend to be better at concentrating, practicing their emotional regulation skills, making thoughtful decisions and coping with everyday frustrations.
3. Give Your Body What It Needs
You don’t need a complicated diet plan or elaborate wellness routine to take better care of yourself. Your body needs fuel, rest and maintenance to function well. Eat regularly, drink plenty of water, choose nutritious foods that give you sustained energy and stay in tune with your daily highs and lows.
4. Spend Time With People Who Are Good for You
Healthy friendships provide connection, encouragement and perspective. Spending time with people you trust can be restorative when you are recovering from mental and behavioral health issues.
Pay attention to how you feel after spending time with someone. Healthy friendships don’t require you to pretend, constantly prove yourself or participate in behaviors that conflict with your goals. Sometimes, self-care looks like creating boundaries with people who consistently leave you drained or pull you backward.
5. Learn the Difference Between Resting and Escaping
Everyone needs downtime, but not everything you think of as being “relaxing” will help you feel restored. Hours of mindless scrolling, excessive gaming, drinking or getting high may temporarily distract you from stress without addressing the cause. The problem with using distraction as your primary coping strategy is that it doesn’t resolve uncomfortable emotions.
Genuine rest should replenish you. Try going outside, listening to music, reading, cooking, exercising, spending time with friends or allowing yourself to sit silently for a while. Learning how to be still without needing constant stimulation is a valuable skill.
6. Ask for Help Before Things Fall Apart
Part of becoming a capable adult is recognizing when you’ve reached the limits of what you can manage alone. Talking to a friend, family member, therapist or another trusted person can prevent a manageable problem from becoming a crisis.
Seeking mental health or substance abuse treatment is also a form of self-care. You don’t have to wait until you’ve lost a relationship, dropped out of school or experienced legal problems to merit help.
Taking Care of Yourself Is a Strength
Self-care isn’t masculine or feminine. It’s human. At PACE Recovery, young men learn to build routines that benefit their mental health, recovery and long-term goals. Through evidence-based therapy, community, physical activity, academic support and practical life skills, our clients have opportunities to discover healthier ways of managing stress and taking care of themselves.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life in honor of Self-Care Awareness Month. You can start small by improving your sleep hygiene, getting more exercise, checking in with friends or completing a task you’ve avoided for weeks. The responsibilities you tackle today can prepare you for whatever tomorrow brings. Connect with us today to start exploring treatment options.