What is self-care?

Self-care has been defined in many ways, but it simply means taking care of yourself. While this seems straightforward, it can be challenging to practice at times.

Self-care is an important way that you can care for yourself both physically and mentally. It is also a way that you can recharge so that you have the energy to be kind to other people, to do the things on your to-do list, and go to school or work.

Why does self-care matter?

Self-care is important because it helps you balance yourself. Self-care is not a goal by itself or an excuse to avoid hard things or do whatever you want. Self-care is a tool that helps you to grow and to do hard things.

The challenge is that some activities (like watching TV) that can help with self-care in small amounts, can become destructive if there’s too much.

Self-care is only self-care if it is balanced and leaves space for having self-discipline. Self-care is resting, but it is also loving yourself enough to do the hard things, knowing that they will make you a better person in the end.

Self-care gives you the rest and energy that you need to do things that are difficult.

Tips for practicing self-care

• Take a moment to think about what types of things relax you, because self-care looks different for everyone. Do you like sitting down with a good book to read, or would you rather be outside playing a game of pick-up soccer? Do you feel rested when you spend time alone, or do you prefer to spend time with friends? Knowing what you find restful will help you decide what self-care looks like for you.

• Schedule time for self-care. Just like things like going to work or school is something that you plan for, self-care needs to be practiced intentionally. Setting aside time for self-care does two things. It makes sure that you actually make time to practice self-care. It also helps you practice discipline by deciding in advance how much time you will spend practicing self-care each day.