Why Self-Care is So Important to Your Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
There's a lot of talk out there about taking care of our health. We hear advice such as see the doctor regularly, exercise daily, and get good sleep. And all of this advice is really good. But there's another aspect to taking care of ourselves that often gets ignored -- self-care. For many people, self-care seems selfish or it gets put at the very bottom of the priority list. But the truth is that self-care is crucial to our overall well-being. If you have a hard time making time for yourself, take a look at why self-care is so important, plus some tips for putting yourself first.
Self-Care Lowers Stress
Stress is a huge factor in deteriorating health. The problem is that we're so stressed so often, we don't even realize when it's too much. Self-care gives us the opportunity to unwind and relax. If we partake in self-care on a regular basis, it means we lower our stress regularly. We can go to sleep at night with less stress weighing us down. If you feel like stress is a factor in your life, consider improving your self-care game to improve your health overall.
Self-Care is Good for the Mind
Even if you don't typically struggle with mental health issues, we can all get down or mentally unwell from time to time. But self-care helps offload this burden. Self-care is so good for mental well-being, as it creates opportunities for you to constantly check-in with yourself. If you want to stay well mentally, self-care should be a part of your normal routine.
Tips for Self-Care
So what should we be doing to care for ourselves? What is considered self-care anyway? The truth is that it will differ from person to person, but some ideas to get you started might include:
Alone time - Do you get any time to yourself? Simply taking a little bit of time to be all alone every single day can do wonders for your well-being.
Hobbies - Hobbies are definitely a part of self-care. Whether you want to spend some time painting, reading, cycling, or doing something else, partaking in hobbies on a regular basis is a really important part of your personal health.
Relaxation - We're all so hesitant to take days off just because we need it -- but why? If you need a day, take it. Lay outside in the sun, go to a spa, or stay in bed and watch Netflix. Do what you need to do to feel relaxed. In the long run, these days will add up to better physical and mental wellness.
Self-care matters! We're often made to feel guilty for spending time, money, or energy on ourselves, but it's actually crucial for our long-term health. Make sure self-care is a part of your life, and you'll see your health improve in no time at all.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Little Rock, Ark.