{"id":76458,"date":"2019-11-25T19:50:22","date_gmt":"2019-11-26T03:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=76458"},"modified":"2019-12-03T20:15:56","modified_gmt":"2019-12-04T04:15:56","slug":"defining-true-self-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/defining-true-self-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Defining True Self-Care"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Once\nupon a time, the idea of self-care was a foreign concept. Then, it came into\nour consciousness and quickly pervaded our waking thoughts. Now, people point\nto everything they do for themselves as self-care. Doing so might be one\nincredibly broad way of looking at it, but it doesn’t define what true\nself-care is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Self-Care? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In\nvery general terms, self-care is an activity in which we take part to soothe\nour mental, physical and emotional health. Proper self-care can improve our\nmoods and help ward off anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\ntoday’s society, self-care has become a vital part of many people’s lives. We\ndeal with a lot of stress on a daily basis. For instance, a whopping 69 percent of\nAmericans say<\/a>\nthat the nation’s future causes them stress. And current events push people to\nseek out self-care remedies. During the appointment hearings for Supreme Court\nJustice Brett Kavanaugh, for instance, Google searches for the topic skyrocketed to a\n14-year high<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-care\ncan also be a refuge from the personal trauma and grief that we’ve faced over\ntime. Seeking therapy and navigating such feelings is a prime example of the\npractice. Ultimately, doing so will help alleviate anxiety and allow a person\nto have a happier, more level-headed existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking\ninward can help self-care practitioners find a higher meaning in their lives\ntoo. Spirituality can be one avenue to traverse, and a belief system can help\nguide a person outside of their self-care sessions. Connecting with religion\ncan give them purpose, clarity and calmness, all of which contribute to an\noverall sense of well-being. Plus, some of the reflection involved in\nself-care can help a person find their path and define what’s important to\nthem. Pursuing what matters is a great form of self-care \u2014 no longer will people\nbe chasing careers that cause them stress or unhappiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditation\nalso falls under the umbrella of self-care in its original terms. A mind\nclouded by stress and racing thoughts doesn’t provide any feel-good benefits.\nOn the other hand, if a person meditates, they can work to block\nsuch negativity<\/a> from their head. Being present and mindful is an incredible embodiment\nof self-care. Plus, meditation gives one time to sit and reflect on their own.\nFor many people, self-care equals time spent solo, recharging and refreshing\nthemselves for what’s ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-care\nmight also mean helping others. If a person improves, they can share that\nimprovement with the community at large. This is another area where\nspirituality and self-care seem to go hand-in-hand. A person shouldn’t need\nmoney or status to participate in self-care. It should be a universally\naccessible practice, and at its core, it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Isn’t <\/em>Self-Care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately,\nthe wonderful truths about self-care have started to become enshrouded by what\nthe media likes to pitch as self-care. Log onto Instagram and check out\n#selfcare. You’ll see a slew of images that show people soaking in bubble\nbaths, luxuriating in face masks or having their nails painted. Sure, time to\nunwind is certainly a method of self-care. But the idea of taking care of one’s\nemotional and physical selves has, in some ways, morphed into purely commercial\npractice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately,\nself-care is finding the root of what actually ails you. Sure, a 15-minute\nperiod spent soaking in a bubble bath can help reduce stress, but does it\npinpoint why you feel agitated? Does it help you tackle such feelings in the\nfuture? The answer is no. As such, it proves how companies have taken the idea\nof self-care and run with it. They’ve made it seem like you need skincare\nremedies or apps or fancy workouts to improve your self-care. In reality, they\njust want to sell you something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On\nthat note, some people point to self-care as a negative thing \u2014 namely, they\nsay it’s selfish for people to take time from a busy schedule and dedicate it\nto themselves. But ensuring you’re of sound mind and body will never be a bad\nthing. It makes you a better partner, parent and employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nfact, addiction specialists implore patients\nto participate in self-care<\/a> so that they feel good and stay on track. Self-care will allow them to\naddress the negative feelings that led them to addiction in the first place and\novercome them. Even with less extreme issues pushing you toward self-care, you\ncan use the practice to address your emotional and physical setbacks. There’s\nabsolutely nothing selfish about that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Care for Myself? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Self-care\ncomes in endless shapes and sizes. It’s up to you to figure out which methods\nwill work best in your life and give you the greatest benefit. Seek out\nself-care methods\nprescribed by experts<\/a> rather than by companies. Something as simple as eating a healthy meal\nor getting enough sleep can be self-care. You’ll realize it too when you start\nfeeling better after making such a simple change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, your practice doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either. No matter how you pursue it, one thing’s for sure: You’ll be better for it, mind, body and spirit. And that’s what self-care is all about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Landis is a mom, wife, passionate freelance writer, and the blogger behind Mindfulness Mama<\/a>. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferELandis.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Once upon a time, the idea of self-care was a foreign concept. Then, it came into our consciousness and quickly pervaded our waking thoughts. Now, people point to everything they do for themselves as self-care. Doing so might be one … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13370,"featured_media":76474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[24,21,6],"tags":[66,4629,3898,585],"yoast_head":"\nDefining True Self-Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Self-care is an activity in which we take part to soothe our mental, physical and emotional health. 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