As I scrolled through my blog today. I have come to discover one odd thing. I have discussed many self-enlightening topics such as self-love, how to accomplish your dreams and aspiration, and so many other tips on how to better ourselves. And still there is one topic I am still so very surprised that I haven’t discussed and that would be Self-care. In my opinion, self-care is an essential skill we must practice on our own in order to see the beauty of self-love, and it is the skill we must learn to master before we even see any dream or aspiration flourish. So, what is self-care? Why do we need self-care currently? What are some ways to practice self-care? Come on, wouldn’t you agree that it is about time we talk about it?
What is Self-Care?
So, to make things simple Let’s just say self-care is the best way to preserve almost anyone’s sanity. Self-care is such a broad subject and there are so many different ways to practice self-care. But let’s just clear the table and say that it’s definitely deeper than bathing and pampering yourself in all the lavished bath and body products. (Although we can all start there)
In fact, it is even a practice that many of us can easily overlook or completely misunderstand. In my term’s self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, physical, and emotional health. Pretty cool right? Well wait till I tell you how many types of self-care exist, but before we get into that lets talk about the why.
Why is self-care so important today?
When so much is going on in 2020 I shouldn’t even have to explain the why? Heck at this point we should all want to be happy, have a balanced life, and maintain inner peace.
But in order for things around us to actually change some topics must be discussed, even if it is tough. So, let’s talk and begin with the statistics. May I?
It should be of no surprise but according to the 2017 studies of the National Institute of Mental Health nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illnesses. Which leads me to believe that mental illnesses are no stranger to America by a long shot. So what are the factors that lead to mental illnesses? The four major factor that contribute to mental illnesses is: severe psychological trauma or abuse suffered as a child, early or significant loss in the family, neglect, and poor ability to relate to others. So the questions I have for you today is this: Is knowing a child loss their parents at a young age due to violence and major health issue common in today’s world? Is knowing a child experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse common in today’s world? Is knowing someone may have been neglected common? Is knowing someone have poor ability in relating to one another common? If you may have said yes to any of these questions then that is why self care should be so important today, none of those situations or factors should be a common problem in our home, community, or world AT ALL. Because as Martin Luther King has brilliantly stated before “ We are tied together in the single garment of destiny. Caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, and whatever affects ONE directly affects ALL indirectly” Let that sink in.
How to practice self care?
There are so many ways to practice self care and although just soaking in a bath isn’t all of self care in one. It can definitely be a start.
In fact there are 6 types of ways to practice self care. Heres how I apply all 6 of the self care methods to my life today.
- Emotional self care. We all have flaws and life is way too short to hold on or bottle up guilty feelings. So let’s learn to forgive ourselves.
- Practical self care. What’s more practical in self care then in drinking more water. It’s important to our body so do yourself a favor and ditch the soda for a bottle of water. Let’s stay hydrated and make drinking 3 bottles of water a healthy habit.
- Physical self care. Solitude you never know how much it means to you until you become a loving parent. Let’s learn how to spend more time alone doing whatever we love when ever we get the chance.
- Mental self care. We sometimes have friends and families that disrespect us and cross the line. Enough is Enough it’s time for us to learn how to set healthy boundaries in place.
- Social self care- if you need a friend to talk to, don’t be afraid to vent to your mom or besties. If we need help let’s learn to ask for help. After all, friends and families are meant to support and love us.
- Spiritual Self Care- acknowledge your feelings with kindness. Let’s learn to be kind and gentle to ourselves by speaking and acting positively over our lives, because our self-respect always shows from the outside.
In conclusion self care is really your own self care, your own territory, and your playground of how you develop self love and respect for yourself. The object is to learn to slow down and embrace life no matter how close you are to reaching your goal in life. Just cherish life as if it’s your last because life can be taken for granted so easily too many. So slow down love.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Mami Kelviana