Each day, we use our cell phones for an abundance of tasks. We make calls, send texts, snap pictures, check emails, watch TV… the list is never ending. In order to keep our cell phones working amid all of this, we have to do one important thing: Recharge them.
Our cell phones are not that different from us. We can start each day with a fully charged battery, but the more tasks we complete, the more battery we drain. While recharging can oftentimes fall to the bottom of our to-do lists, doing so is vital, and we must remember that. Much like our phone, the lower our battery gets, the more our functionality decreases until our battery completely runs out of juice. At that point, tasks that are important get done poorly — or not at all.
Finding time for ourselves can seem impossible; it is common to put the needs of others before our own. However, if we do not care for ourselves, we will have nothing to give anyone else. Ultimately, not recharging — i.e., allowing time for self-care — can hold us back from reaching our full potential as employees, parents, spouses, friends or any other roles we have our lives.
What is self-care, and how do we practice it? The definition of self-care is quite literal — it means taking care of ourselves. It is a vital component of self-preservation and survival. It can be as simple as doing things that bring you joy, such as buying a bouquet of flowers to display on your kitchen table, going for a run or a walk in nature, listening to music or calling an old friend.
It is important to note that self-care is also doing hard things that might not bring you joy in the moment but will bring you long-term health and happiness. It’s not always about instant gratification. Some long-term tasks may include completing a workout, meal prepping for the week, or not overcommitting to plans so you have time for much-needed sleep.
Regardless of how you practice self-care, remember that it should not be derived from an external reward. When you go for a nice nature walk, are you doing it to take a cool photo to get “likes” on social media, or are you doing it for the pure relaxation you get from the walk?
Self-care is not one-size-fits-all; what brings someone else joy might not work for you. If you aren’t a runner, don’t force yourself to run. The only self-care requirement is to take time out of your day to do something for yourself.
Now, take a moment to close your eyes and think about a self-care technique you want to incorporate into your life. This could be something that makes you take a deep breath, helps you relax or gives you long-term satisfaction — something that is not surrounded by guilt and does not harm you or anyone else. How can you implement this technique into your life?
Not sure where to start? Try something on the list below!
• Take a nap
• Dedicate time for a workout
• Take a day off
• Power down your gadgets
• Meal prep for the upcoming week
• Take a yoga class
• Organize your house
• Go for a hike
• Watch the sunrise or sunset
• Paint or draw
• Try something new
• Garden
• Dance
• Read a novel
• Laugh
• Practice positive self-talk
• Enjoy a quiet cup of coffee
• Take a hot shower or bubble bath
By: Lauren Scotti