What does Self Care mean to you?
I heard the term a few years ago and really had no thoughts about it. I am mom, wife, daugther and employee – what would that look like and when would I have time for that – so, it was immediately dismissed.
However, there have been a number of times over the years, including now, when it has come back to me and I would pause to think what would that be for me.
What is Self Care anyway? Well, a quick query on Google pulled from Wikipedia …
Self-care has been defined as the process of taking care of oneself with behaviors that promote health and active management of illness when it occurs. Individuals engage in some form of self-care daily with food choices, exercise, sleep, and dental care.
Now, the context in which I heard this term originally, was from a therapist I was seeing that questioned me about what I could do to help myself destress. My understanding is a bit broader than Wikipedia’s – food, exercise, sleep, etc. but more to what will bring me calm, quiet my mind and bring my spirit back to peace. I wasn’t quite sure how to answer her question and probably said something like go for a walk and phone a friend.
My husband enjoys working out, reading, yoga, using the sauna and taking baths. He commits to his self care on a daily basis. He has suggested I try them as well and from time to time I may join him in doing a few of those things, but really – none off them feel like me or give me tremendous relief, centering and a sense of renew.
I will say I usually feel most relaxed on vacation even if its a more adventurous style. The change in scenery, new memories and experiences, minus some of the daily homelife chores gives me lift. The reality is that vacationing all the time is not an option now, so I do need to find something sustainable.
The search for my self care begins now.
What do you do for self care?