Self-Care is Not Selfish

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 12:59:10 -0400

We’ve all hit the same turbulence, a pandemic! Therefore, we all need to take good care of ourselves, our bodies, and our minds.

Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, especially during periods of stress.

Here are some of the areas that you can keep healthy by practicing self-care: Finance, Nutrition, Mental, Personal Hygiene, Fitness, and Social.

There are many areas of need for self-care. Knowing how to balance each area will help to keep your well-being in a healthy state - meaning being cautious and aware of your own physical and mental health. Keeping yourself healthy helps to transmit good vibes towards those around you.

Some negative consequences of not caring for yourself include:

● Fatigue and loss of energy

● Poor relationships

● Addiction

● Weight gain

● Sleep deprivation

Self-care is not something that only corresponds to female-identified people; male-identified people are often misled to believe they must toughen up when it comes to self-care or even mental health. However, that is not the case! Here are some positive self-care tips that anyone can use:

● Take care of your personal hygiene (e.g., shave/trim, wash your face, etc.)

● Sweat out the stress

● Prioritize your needs before others. This is not selfish!

● Manage your diet

● Schedule a checkup with your healthcare provider

● Get mental health support. If you feel vulnerable, reach out and talk to someone!

● Fuel and move your body properly!

● Stay socially connected with loved ones and friends

● Get enough sleep. Do not skip sleep to get more things done

If you are looking for additional self-care resources, try checking these out:

· Recreation and Physical Education are offering Group Fitness Classes with instructors via Instagram and YouTube to work on your health and wellness while the RAC is closed.

· These unprecedented times could be hard to deal with and hard to adjust to, whether you are a student or a parent, here are some tips

· Knowing how to deal with and take care of your mental health is crucial for your own well-being. Everyone reacts and copes differently. This resource gives you ways to reduce and take care of your stress/anxiety.

· Not knowing where to go for help? MHA’s Mental Health & COVID-19 Resources can help you during these times of uncertainty.

Remember, self-care is not selfish! You must fill your own cup before you pour into others’.

Written by Samuel Dupuy ('20), Health Administration and Policy Program