Building Resilience through Self-Care
More than massages, manicures or meditation apps, self-care is when you purposely act to increase your overall health. The World Health Organization has stated that self-care prevents disease and helps people better cope with illness and may also increase one’s lifespan.
When you take the time and effort to care for yourself you can more easily endure the trials and frustrations in daily life, and become more stressproof. This resilience doesn’t mean you won’t have problems, just that you’ll handle them better.
In the pursuit of a stronger, healthier and more joyful you, try to balance these aspects of life:
Physical: Eat a well-balanced diet, get regular, quality sleep, stay physically active, and get check-ups.
Social: Time with friends isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for a full, happy life. Prioritize face-to-face time and maintain your social connections.
Mental: Keep your mind sharp learning new things through apps, documentaries, books and podcasts. Do jigsaw or crossword puzzles. Play a musical instrument or learn a craft.
Spiritual: Spirituality is finding your connection to the universe, finding deeper meaning and achieving peace. This may or may not include religion.
Emotional: Process your emotions in a positive way. Stuffing them down or glossing them over is not healthy. Identify a safe person to talk to and activities that help you express or sort out your feelings.
Here’s a list of self-care activities to try!
Hug someone you love everyday. Or, if easier or better for you, get a weighted blanket.
Play with your pet.
Take a slow, ambling walk near nature.
Make yourself a fancy meal complete with candles.
Jot down a thankful thought each day in a gratitude journal.
Schedule worry sessions, and then when anxiety creeps up, remind yourself to wait for the allotted time.
Look in the mirror before heading out for the day and compliment yourself.
Indulge in music, whether listening to it or making it.
Take a little time and organize a cluttered space.
Slowly and purposefully take deep breaths, and allow your shoulders to release and drop on the exhales.
Take a lingering bath or shower, especially with scented bath or shower bombs..
Watch a favorite feel-good movie.
Call a friend; it’s better than texting.
Grab a fuzzy blanket and take a nap.
