Self-care has become a trendy buzzword recently, and if you look at the research, the benefits to practicing regular self-care are undeniable. As My Self Care Doc, I wanted to take some time today to talk about my favorite topic. Self-care is simply taking steps to address your physical and emotional health needs to the best of your ability. Self-care is so much more than the glossy instagrammable vacations and perfectly curated luxury items. Though those can be fantastic, it is truly the little rituals we do every day to become our favorite selves. Self-care is not being selfish or self-indulgent, in fact I love to remind people that self-care is essential.
If you feel like you have an overwhelming to-do list that depletes you mentally and physically, you might want to take inventory and see where you can squeeze in some extra self care. Self-care is truly the key to your favorite self and to improving your physical and mental health.
The best part about self-care is that it includes a variety of activities that can range from exercise, yoga, hiking in nature, or bike riding, to quieter outlets like reading, meditation, prayer, or a warm bath. It really is up to you to determine what outlet is best for you.
1. Be Your Best Self
Self-care really boils down to this simple truth: if you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t be there fully to take care of others. If you continue to drop your needs down that to-do list and you miss out on healthy meals or an activity that charges your batteries, you might just be slowing yourself down and holding up your progress over the long term. For example, a 2018 study found that medical students who regularly practiced self-care reported less stress and a better quality of life than those who didn’t.
2. Overall Wellness
At our core, we probably all understand that taking care of ourselves is important. We all know we should nourish our bodies, get enough sleep, and find joyful movement regularly, but that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes we have others in our lives that depend on us to take care of their needs as well or our work consumes us. This is why it is so important to take a look at what you find enjoyable and what really provides you with energy and fulfillment.
If nothing comes to mind immediately, you can try a few different activities to see what works for you. If yoga or meditation isn’t your thing, maybe try something else like a hike or a workout class. Picking up new hobbies like learning to quilt or sew can also be fantastic for your brain as well as your general well being. If your new past time isn’t working, don’t hesitate to move on to something else. Remember, your version of optimal self-care doesn’t have to and probably won’t look like someone else’s. Maybe part of your self-care is a regular coffee visit or a glass of wine with friends, taking tennis lessons or maybe it’s as simple as having a fabulous skincare routine. The options are endless!
3. Awareness of Personal Needs
Finding out what works best for you is so important. It not only keeps you from “should-ing” yourself all the time, it helps you develop the awareness of what it is you need to refocus and find that all important balance in your life. That awareness includes all your needs including physical, mental, emotional & spiritual. It’s so important to find your mix of activities that address all facets of the mind-body-spirit connection, so that you can care for your whole self.
4. Develop Resilience
If you haven’t figured out from the rest of this article or your own personal experiences, proper self-care also allows you to develop greater resilience. By practicing self-care regularly you will be better able to handle challenges that come your way when you are caring for your own mental and physical well-being. The anxiety and overwhelming feelings that can tumble your way throughout the day’s challenges don’t seem to have the same impact when you are maintaining your mental and physical strength through self-care.
The C.R.O.W.N. Approach to Self-Care
This holistic approach and awareness of self care is what led me to create what I call the C.R.O.W.N. Approach. This philosophy of self care breaks activities down into 5 categories (or points) that make up what I call your self-care crown. I have found through clinical experience and research that utilizing these 5 points in a balanced way can lead to greater stress management skills, greater self love and better well being.
The 5 points are as follows:
C: Connect – to yourself, to loved ones & to nature
R: Rest – sleep, rest & relaxation
O: Open – keeping an open mind and a playful spirit
W: Welcome – new rituals and friendships
N: Nourish – being mindful of what we are consuming with our mind, body & spirit
Of course none of this would be possible without the jewels on the crown aka boundaries. I go into depth on each of these points both in my practice, and in my new self care bootcamp.
Need Some Guidance?
If you haven’t figured out from the rest of this article or your own personal experiences, proper self-care also allows you to develop greater resilience. By practicing self-care regularly you will be better able to handle challenges that come your way when you are caring for your own mental and physical well-being. The anxiety and overwhelming feelings that can tumble your way throughout the day’s challenges don’t seem to have the same impact when you are maintaining your mental and physical strength through self-care.
If you need help getting started with developing your self-care regimen, please get a hold of me. As a self-care expert who uses techniques from around the globe, I am uniquely equipped to get a picture of your body’s balance (or lack thereof) depending on what health issues you are dealing with. It is truly my passion to help you find your favorite self.
No matter if you decide to work with me privately or as part of a group, we will start by taking a complete health history so that I can work with you holistically to address your physical, mental, and emotional health needs. Your unique treatment plan may include a variety of modalities including acupressure, auriculotherapy, herbal medicine (both topical and internal), nutritional counseling and supplements, epigenetic testing, reflexology, microcurrent, facial treatments and so much more! The best part? I offer a FREE 30 minute self-care strategy sesh for those who want to get clear on their self-care goals.
Make your appointment today and get started on your self-care journey. You will be happy that you did!
