Self care checklist
What comes up in your mind listening to self-care? Does that include sipping coffee while tucked in your quilt or running an extra lap for workouts? Or getting a spa in a salon after a long day of work. Self-care includes activities that make you and your body feel happy and at peace. Self-care is just like taking care of plants, an individual has to look after their basic biological and emotional well-being. Having regard for emotional, mental, and physical well-being is a major part of self care.
Need for self-care in teenagers
As a teenager in contemporary society, self-care is often restricted to physical well-being. People often fail to factor in the mental and emotional state of an individual. Teenagers are burdened with stress from academics and hormonal changes that occur within them. During the COVID-19 situation teenagers faced new stresses like difficulty communicating with their peers and excess parental supervision. These issues affected mental health and triggered behavioral problems. Teenagers go through a lot of changes be they physical or mental transitions. They are overwhelmed by the emotion of uncertainty. Changes also ask for self-care to understand themselves as they go through an identity crisis. They seek individuality and prioritizing their mental health becomes a necessity and a sign of self-care.
Need for self-care in adults
People in the age group 20-45 are burdened with the responsibilities of life. Long hours are required of people, and vacation days are often forfeited. Their options for self-care are diminished by the underlying assumption that they must always be working. However, taking some time off for self-care can help you unwind from the demands of the day and restore your state of health so that your productivity is once more optimized.
Burnout, despair, anxiety, resentment, and a host of other bad effects are just a few of the serious repercussions that can result from trying to burn the candle at both ends. It has been clinically demonstrated that practicing self-care can lessen or completely remove anxiety, despair, and stress as well as boost happiness, energy, and attention.
Self Care tricks and tips
Self-care is a subjective concept. It is prioritizing your needs and happiness over something. Here are some self-care tips and methods that you can use to pamper yourself:
Physical self-care
You need to take care of your body if you need to function properly. Keeping in mind that there is a strong connection between mind and body. Physical self-care can include how you are fueling your body, and the adequate amount of sleep and rest you are giving yourself. You can look after your physical health by
Who doesn’t love a good face mask? Detoxification of your face with a hydrating and nourishing face mask can give you a splurge of energy after a long day at work.
Exercising has been seen as the most effective way of self-care. Research shows that a 15-minute walk can induce better concentration and elevate mood. Being lethargic can sometimes lead to mood swings and irritation. Increases in blood flow due to physical workouts regulate portions of the brain associated with cognition and memory.
Social Self care
Socialization is key to self-care. But, often, it's hard to make time for friends and it's easy to neglect your relationships when life gets busy. Your well-being is dependent on close relationships. Spending time and effort on developing ties with others is the best approach to cultivating and maintaining intimate relationships. There isn't a certain number of hours you should devote to your friends or work on your relationships. Everyone has slightly different social needs. The key is to figure out what your social needs are and to build enough time in your schedule to create an optimal social life. Social self-care can be attained by:
Having a breakfast or brunch date with your friends, family members or your partner can charge your social energy. Researchers have found that social laughter releases endorphins (a.k.a. feel-good hormones) in our brains. Not only will you benefit from the giggles, but laughing can strengthen your relationships!
Plan a getaway even if you have no intention of booking it just yet. Research new places or revisit your go-to spots — it’s the perfect escape from reality, especially if you haven't been able to travel safely in a while. Who knows, it may inspire you to take time off!
Mental self-care
Your psychological health is strongly influenced by how you think and what you let into your head. Solving puzzles or learning about a topic that interests you are examples of mental self-care activities. You can discover that inspiring books or films give your mental energy. Taking care of your mental health is another aspect of mental self-care. You can maintain a more positive internal dialogue, for instance, by engaging in self-compassion and acceptance practices... Here are some ways you can practice mental self-care:
Try this simple exercise from Emily Fletcher, author of Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance, to reset: Sit with your back supported and your head free. Close your eyes and move through each of your senses, noticing what you hear, feel, see, taste and smell. Tapping into your senses is a great way to ground yourself in your body and the present moment.
Forget the old wives’ tale about catching a cold from the cold. Spending time outdoors this winter can be good for your health if you're able to find a space that's all your own. Getting some exercise is obviously beneficial, but exposure to sunlight and the world outside may also better help regulate your circadian clock — and stop leaving you feeling exhausted all the time.
Create a YAY List, Every night, write down anything that made you say "Yay!" during the day. Think finding hidden money in your pocket, a surprise call from a friend, sunny skies, or discovering a new local restaurant. This will help you recognize things going right in your life instead of focusing on the negative. Being mindful of all the positive events in an individual's life can make them develop an optimistic view of life. Acknowledging their emotions and working on them is a healthy mental practice.
Living in the 21st century is a constant race to a finish point that actually doesn’t exist. Sometimes it becomes necessary to put your comfort and happiness over the expectations of everyone. We are so drowned in our “everyday life goals” that we forget to ask ourselves to take a deep breath. Allow yourself the time to check on your personal emotional and physical needs. Self-care not only enables you to take care of yourself but also increases your productivity many times. So take a moment, enjoy your favorite beverage and pamper yourself!
-By Hunar Agarwal