Introduction
What is Self-Care?
Self-care is an activity we undertake in order to care for our physical, mental, or emotional needs. While many daily activities fall under that category, what separates self-care from regular maintenance activities is that it should be something you enjoy.In one sense, self-care is an affirmative statement that your health is as important to you as that of those you care for. (Audre Lorde famously referred to it as an act of self-preservation (1).) In other words, you’re worth it.
Self-care can encompass numerous activities, from long baths at the end of the night to aromatherapy to cooking your favorite meal. In this course, we’re focusing on breath, movement, self-massage, and meditation, but please don’t confine yourselves to these activities if there are others that you enjoy.
More simply put, self-care should contribute to a greater feeling of well-being. Here are some of the specific benefits a self-care routine should provide for you.
- Prevents burnout
- Shields us from negative impacts of stress
- Helps you refocus
- Greater capacity to manage stress
- Increased resilience
- Reduced symptoms of mental health problems
- Increase enjoyment in life
- Cope with stressful events and sadness
- Maintain positive connections with others
- Better equipped to support those in your care (2)(3)(4)