Self-Care.
The buzz word of all buzz words in mental health: “Self-care.”
Does this conjure up bubble baths with a glass of wine? “Me time”? Yoga under a flowering tree? A weekend Netflix binge?
Self-care has been prescribed as the panacea for preventing mental health problems and maintaining emotional well-being. Which seems like a major feat for a fizzy bath bomb…!
So, what is self-care really?
And, what type of self-care is effective for keeping you on your game and helping you to thrive?
Self-care is the work of caring for yourself - as simple as that. So, let’s start at the base, the foundation upon which all others rest, the very core needs of your being - your physiological needs.
Really? Physiological needs?
Yes! Your physiological needs are your most basic needs, and we often forget how they form the foundation for your well-being. Food, water, shelter, warmth, clean air, sleep, safety and security all impact the health of your body - how many of these do you neglect?! Ensuring your physical being is healthy and secure reduces stress on your body. And we know we take shortcuts on this with our busy lives! You might be surprised how taking care of these core needs will alleviate some of your anxiety and allow for personal growth to occur.
Here are the top 3 physiological needs you might not have considered as self-care.
Food.
As much as I wish it would, it does not mean we need handfuls of milk chocolate-covered raisins for survival and growth (darn!). Pleasure, yes, but not well-being. Here we are talking healthy choices, home-cooked meals, avoiding ultra-processed foods, regularly fueling your body, and not overeating. As for water, your body has this nifty little thirst system that lets you know if you’re not getting enough. Drink what ya need to not be thirsty!
2. Adequate rest.
This is a huge problem for many people. Anyone else see the hours of 2-4 am last night? Again, although we’d like to say having a nap on the weekend is good rest, it’s not sufficient! We are talking about getting to bed on time regularly and getting up at a consistently regular time. It’s about having good sleep hygiene. You’ve heard it before – no phones or TVs before bed (or in the middle of the night!), a dark, cool room, and avoiding large meals, exercise, and alcohol before bedtime.
3. Personal Safety
Self-care is also ensuring you feel safe in your environment – physically, emotionally, even financially. To feel physically safe, look at cultivating security in your body, your home, your neighbourhood, and your school/workplace. Of course, there is the most obvious and critical need to avoid violence and abuse. But there are the less obvious ones that you may be unknowingly stressed by throughout the day:
Do you fear the walk in the dark from the GO Train to your car in the lot?
Arrange to call a friend or walk with another commuter.
Does it niggle in the back of your brain that your gate to your backyard isn’t latched properly?
Get it fixed.
Does your back or knee chronically hurt and seems to fail you at the weirdest times?
Check in with your family doctor, get to physio, get it taken care of!
Do you fight with your partner? Do you have a bullying co-worker?
Problem solve, seek outside help.
Do you overspend and stress watching your bank account as the bills come out over the month?
Do a spending detox; stop spending because it’s good self-care!
Are ya getting’ the feel for this yet? These aren’t the pleasurable, fun things we’re talking about it. It’s the work of taking care of your being. Fuzzy socks and a spa weekend are pleasurable; self-care is about consistent work. If you’re struggling to meet any of these basic needs, contact me and we can figure out what’s stopping you from taking care of your well-being.
Kira
The information on this website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment or to replace your relationship with your health care provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this site.