“Don’t forget to drink water and get some sun. You’re basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions.“
Women and Self-Care
Taking care of our mind and body is as essential as being productive at work. The truth is women often fall behind in the self-care section. While we understand and give our best to take care of others, we often ignore doing the same for ourselves.
Why You Need to “Treat Yo’ Self”
A quote from the TV show How To Get Away With Murder sums up the essence of self-care-
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first, or you won’t be able to fight another day”.
Self-care is NOT a new-age, Gen Z concept. It actually has some interesting history. Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato used to have comprehensive discussions in public places about the importance of taking care of oneself. So the next time you hear somebody say “Self-care is so 2002” just correct them with “It’s actually so 5th century BC”.
Research says that self-care can help promote self-worth and self-esteem. Think about it: When you love yourself enough to take up self-care every day, your mind becomes more confident. It brims with the clarity you might not have had when you always prioritised other people. Caring for others is important, definitely, but just not at the expense of your peace.
Self-care and you: A love story
Embracing self-care can be a fabulous love story for every woman. It helps us create nurturing and empowering relationships with ourselves. Just like the love stories we see in movies or read in books, we can create a fabulous fairy tale in our lives as well! By focusing on the relationship we have with the self!
Research says that Self-care allows us to address our needs, set boundaries, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. This empowers us to tackle any challenge that comes our way.
With these 4 tips, you can easily boost your self-care game, feeling happier and more energized every day!
1. Sleep:
Snooze your way through self-care. Research says that women are more likely to experience insomnia than men. Getting adequate sleep is extremely important for well-being. A good night’s sleep allows our body to repair and rejuvenate, supporting our overall vitality. The best way to make sure you are sleeping well is by following these easy steps:
- Play your favourite audiobook or soothing music to help mellow you down.
- Practice a few minutes of deep breathing or gentle stretching to ease your mind and muscles.
- Make your bed as cosy as possible and the room dark.
And wake up to a brand-new day with a revitalised mind and body!
2. Stay Socially Connected:
It is understandable that as we get busy with our lives, we slowly forget to stay connected with our loved ones, be it friends or family. However, being busy doesn’t always mean that you can’t plan a day with your people. Research suggests that staying socially connected prevents us from self-isolation and enhances our mental and emotional well-being. This reduces feelings of loneliness and stress.
Let us make this more easier for you:
- It’s okay to video call your crowd. If you are feeling down or having a bad day, dial up your long-distance friend, don’t hesitate to reach out.
- Meet new people by volunteering or joining a class! It could be anything, cooking or music class or helping up in an animal shelter.
- Stay true to your word, this might include that coffee date with your bestie you’ve been putting off for so long, Go!
3. Set Healthy Boundaries:
Nothing is glorifying about saying yes to everything even when you don’t feel like it. It’s okay to say “no” to stuff. Setting boundaries is essential to take control of your life. It also helps you break the habit of people-pleasing (a habit which is considered quite self-destructive).
But don’t worry, we have some steps that are sure to help you!
- Practice saying phrases like “No, thank you”, “That doesn’t work for me”, or “Let me get back to you after considering my options”.
- Start saying no in smaller situations until you get comfortable with the process.
- Actively recognise the patterns where you feel compelled to say yes, understand those triggers and work your way to overcoming them!
4. Learn to love yourself:
One of the most important parts of loving yourself is recognising your-self-worth. You are more than your failures and the expectations others place on you. Just like Pheobe Buffay from F.R.I.E.N.D.S., you deserve to embrace your uniqueness, find joy in your quirks, and give yourself the love and acceptance you freely offer to others.
Resume your self-love story with these steps:
- Express yourself through creative mediums! Paint, read, act, write, or dance to showcase the art in you!
- Record five things you’re grateful for each day to shift your view of life towards positivity.
Stand in front of the mirror and proudly acknowledge your existence. Compliment yourself daily to reinforce a brighter self-image.
Conclusion
The most awesome fact about self-care is that it empowers individuals to take control of their well-being. Especially for women, self-care can be a transformative routine that gets their mental, physical, and emotional health going.
So do not forget to recharge before you take charge of your day!
