Have you ever wondered what it means to be self-aware and how you can practice this discipline? September is self-awareness month, so now is the perfect time to learn.
According to psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund, “Self-awareness is the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts or emotions do or don’t align with your internal standards. If you’re highly self-aware, you can objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, align your behavior with your values, and understand correctly how others perceive you.” Without this aspect of self-awareness in our lives, we wouldn’t know what we need in terms of our self-care; the two go hand in hand.
People who are self-aware approach their feelings and reactions with curiosity and can notice and reflect on their internal state. Being able to identify what you’re feeling, can also help you know how to take action to resolve that state of mind. This is where your self-care comes in. It’s important to have a few go-to activities that replenish your mind and body.
Self-awareness and self-care benefits:
- Better ability to regulate emotions
- Decrease in stress levels
- Improvement in physical health
- Increase in resilience
- Better understanding of how your actions affect others
- Enhanced understanding of multiple perspectives
- Stronger relationships and ability to connect with others
- Clear, intentful communication and enhanced confidence in decision-making
Getting started:
- Journaling: Taking some time to reflect on your emotions and actions will help you identify feelings and regulate yourself in the future
- Practice mindfulness: Paying attention to what is going on in the world around you and within yourself can improve your ability to know when you need to practice self-care
- Establish your values and goals: Once these have been determined, be aware of whether or not your actions align
- Prioritize self-care activities: Dedicate time each day or week to performing activities that fill your cup or decrease stress:
- Do things that bring you joy
- Get adequate sleep (ideally eight or more hours each night)
- Meal prep nutrient-dense meals
- Exercise or move your body
- Get outside in nature
- Connect with friends and family
- Declutter
- Make your bed
- Express gratitude
The first step to self-awareness is noticing your internal state. Then, you’ll be more likely to take care of yourself and understand what you need. Take this self-awareness quiz to help you get started on your journey!
by Megan DiPietro
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