Self- Care seems to be quite the catch phrase these days. In our faced paced world of distractions and continually being available to connect with others on our phones, through social media, or via email, our “me” time has become more and more limited.
Our “self-care” strategies are a search to create a sense of inner calm and peace. Temporary relief from our fast-paced stressed our lives. It is that time to ourselves to catch our breath and reset and to give to ourselves, so we have the capacity to give others. Ultimately, filling our own cups.
Often this can sound like, I need:
…a girl’s day shopping,
…a glass of wine,
…my Netflix show,
…a message,
…a good plate of poutine
…a good book
And the list goes on.
However, these are quick fixes disguised as self-care. They are temporary ways to disengage from life because none of these strategies ever last very long. They feel good at the time, but that relief and relaxation is gone as soon as we step back into regular life.
So what really is “self-care”?
Self-care:
/ˌselfˈker/
noun
- the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.
“autonomy in self-care and insulin administration”
2. the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
“expressing oneself is an essential form of self-care”
Self-care is not out there in the things you do or buy but rather it comes in the form of understanding who you are from the inside out. How your body responds to the world. Self-care needs to be addressed at a root level, deep within yourself where your specific stress lives, in your nervous system.
Your mind and body are intimately connected to your complex emotional history.
With each stressful thought, your body has a response. On average, we have 70 000 thoughts a day, most are of the past or the future, imagine what your body is experiencing daily?!
The beauty about your body is that it has its own language and intelligence to heal, you just have to pause and listen and take action.
Some ideas to think further when exploring self-care is looking at it from a holistic approach. What does your mental health need right now? What about your emotional, physical or spiritual health? How do you get inspired and what excites you? This is how we can get the whole body healing that self-care is intended to induce.
At Empower Health we have a wide range of therapies available to help you uncover your unique story and map out your self-care plan. Connect with one of our counsellors today and start feeling BETTER NOW!
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