_1.png)
Love is in the air. Don’t forget about self-care.
There is one person who is with you from the day you are born until the day you leave this earth – yourself.
You are the one who is there through all life's ups and downs, experiences of pleasure and pain, and successes and failures. You deserve to treat yourself like the amazing human you are and embrace what you, as a unique individual, bring to the world. Taking care of your mind and body gives you the best chance to be the best version of yourself, reach your full potential, and improve the quality of your life.
This is not to say other people cannot be involved in our self-care. Surrounding ourselves with a community of family, friends, and professionals who can support us and help meet our needs is just as important. Contributing to society and helping others can be a way to fulfill ourselves as well. To extend ourselves to support others, it is beneficial to all to make sure we are pouring from a full cup. As they say, "Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what's left of you."
Too often, people neglect themselves whether that be because of feelings that they do not have time in their busy schedules, they are exhausted from taking care of others, or they never learned successful strategies. Putting a little time and effort into self-care can have long-lasting implications for the health and wellness of our future self.
Every moment we are fortunate to have an opportunity to grow and evolve to be better. There will always be bad days, good days, and days that feel ordinary, so accepting all of these as part of life can be empowering. You are strong, and you can do hard things. You prove that every time you wake up and have the courage to take on another day. Perfection is impossible and many things are out of our control, but success is achieved when we accept our best efforts, forgive our past mistakes, appreciate how far we have come, and always stay committed to moving forward toward the best versions of ourselves.
Self-care comes in many different forms, and it looks different for everyone. It is about finding the things that bring you joy and peace of mind. If we put effort into finding these things that make us feel healthier and happier and spend more time doing these things, we can improve our lives immensely. It does not have to be a big thing. It can be a small thing. Be in the moment and see the opportunities that are right in front of you. Our bodies and minds are interconnected, so when we take care of one, we are simultaneously taking care of the other. Engaging in self-care is a wonderful way to improve overall wellness.
Ideas for self-care
- Take deep breaths
- Go for a walk or a bike ride
- Read a book or magazine
- Stretch
- Explore pain management options
- Eat a healthy meal or snack
- Write in a journal
- Listen to music
- Allow yourself to rest when sick, tired, or stressed
- Meditate
- Drink water
- Spend time in nature
- Ask for help with something you have been struggling with
- Call a family member or friend
- Find a new hobby / learn something new
- Create a list of things you are grateful for
- Exercise
- Volunteer
- Schedule an appointment with a doctor or medical provider
- Schedule an appointment with a therapist, counselor, or coach
- Go to the beach
- Say something positive about yourself out loud
Self-Affirmations
"I am open to new ideas and opportunities"
"I accept and love myself unconditionally"
"I am enough"
"I am brave enough to do things that are outside of my comfort zone"
"I appreciate what my body and mind are capable of"
"I am proud of myself"
"I am grateful for all that I have"
"Asking for help is a sign of strength"
"I get better every day"
"I believe in myself, and I can do hard things”
"Your health is an investment, not an expense. If you do not make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness."
"You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously." "Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states."
"Do things today that your future self will thank you for."
"Take care of your mind, your body will thank you. Take care of your body, your mind will thank you."
"Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do, not a punishment for what you ate."
"When you release expectations, you are free to enjoy things for what they are instead of what you think they should be."
Links for more information on self-care, pain management, & stress relief:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/mindfulness-activities
https://www.verywellmind.com/body-scan-meditation-why-and-how-3144782
https://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/stress-and-pain.aspx
https://positivepsychology.com/stress-management-techniques-tips-burn-out/
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/self-care-is-not-just-treating-yourself
Contributed by:
Hunter Hoobler, CMF
Certified Mastectomy Fitter – MedCOR Professionals, Scarborough, Maine
