Making Self-Care A Priority During These Stressful Times

From COVID-19, social distancing, record-breaking unemployment rates, and rioting stemming from social injustice, it is no secret that the year 2020 has been stressful for us all. We cannot seem to catch a break from the negativity, fear, and uncertainties in the world. And for many, it is far too easy to get tied up in this adverse cycle, neglecting your own self care in the process. While you are keeping up with social issues and taking the necessary precautions to ensure you and your family are safe, don’t be so distracted while in this crisis that you forget about yourself along the way.

Practicing Self-Care Is Still Critically Important

I am dedicating this article to inspire you to look inward and fulfill your own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs while so many other stressful things are going on outside. The fact of the matter is that you cannot advocate for positive change, feel peaceful, or sustain a happy home if you are running on empty yourself. Self-care, especially right now, is essential to your overall wellbeing and the sure-fire way you will be able to make it through these challenges with a healthy mindset.

With social distancing, isolation and separation  being a theme of the year 2020, you need to be your own biggest supporter. You have to listen to your body and give it what it needs in order to be optimally balanced so you can manage everyday stresses, overcome hurdles, and transform into becoming the best version of yourself that you can possibly be.

What You Will Gain

Practicing self-care offers an exceptional amount of benefits. Overall, the top benefits that include:

• Better productivity and focus towards goal/aspirations
• Increases both your physical and mental health
• Improves your self-esteem
• Rejuvenates your body’s functionality
• Relieves stress and anger
• Equips you to enjoy and take better care of those around you.  
• Sets the foundation for you to reach your full potential

What Self-care Looks Like

Though self-care is a priority for many, there is still a bit of confusion on what self-care actually resembles. The truth is that self-care has several different faces, and the definition is widely dictated on each person’s needs. However, in general, it is about enriching yourself to achieve proper personal growth. What does that look like?

• Self-care is refueling yourself and your needs because you recognized that you deserve it.

• It is discovering the ideal balance to cultivate happiness in a non-selfish but direct way that also makes those around you feel valued too.

• Self-care is taking full responsibility for yourself. It is symbolizing your body as a beautiful instrument, which must be taken care of to function properly.

• It is knowing that you need to take adequate care of yourself precisely how you need to so you can be the best spouse, parent, friend, family member, and co-worker that you can be.

• It is being good to yourself and doing some of the things that make you happy.

Final Thoughts

Self-care is essential to achieve optimal health and wellness. You, and only you, can provide yourself the best life, and it all begins with making yourself a priority and realizing that your needs matter too. It can be hard to feel like you deserve to practice self-care when so many more significant issues are out there, but the reality is that you do still matter. You deserve to put yourself first to sustain your personal needs so you can live and enjoy life. Remember, self care is not selfish.  Self care is for everyone and everyone should be practicing self care.