Self care comes in various forms. We limit ourselves and cause undue stress when we fail to acknowledge that sometimes caring for oneself is more simple than often portrayed.
The media is overly saturated with ideas of self care and well-being, yet so many of us feel more drained and emotionally unwell than ever before. I have a feeling that the predominance of "self care culture" has ironically made many of us feel that we aren't doing enough to look after for ourselves. Our health has been thrown into the world of marketing, and I'd argue it's had the opposite of the desired effect. When did wellness become so arduous?
Just since 2020, when the world changed on its head, I've noticed an over-abundance of advertisements, videos, posts, commercials, etc. all in the vein of wellness. This may range from supplements & vitamins, workout equipment & accessories, gym memberships, therapy apps, playlists... you name it. To say the least, all of it has been incredibly overwhelming. If you're like me, you've felt the pressure to do more, that there's something missing, that if you want to truly maximize your mental and physical wellbeing, you must do more and have MORE.
I want to be a voice that says "no" to adding more and doing more in the name of wellness. Because oftentimes we need less: less complication, less distraction, less noise, and so on. Of late, it's felt more difficult to take care of myself even in the most simple ways. I attribute some of this to overstimulation from social media. Yes, I believe it is that draining. Getting back to the basics when the world is screaming at me to add 'this' and try 'that,' has proven to be tough. But health and wellness should be completely uncomplicated. here's how I am attempting to care for myself, sans all the added weight...
Sleep
Nothing glamorous, just rest. What better way to recharge than to sleep? For me, intentional and restful sleep was on the back burner for a really long time. I am just now trying to be more mindful of my sleep schedule. Admittedly, it's not easy. I work a typical 8am to 5pm job and feel that there aren't enough hours in the evening to unwind and enjoy my life before it's time for bed, which in turn can lead to staying up late and feeling exhausted the next day.
Balancing life and rest/sleep is oddly difficult but it's one of the most simple ways to reset and remain intentional. How is this wrapped in intention? Well, mainly because it forces you to take note of how you are spending time. Do you come home and scroll social media or watch mindless television? Nothing is inherently wrong with these things, but I argue that it isn't necessary fulfilling when these activities becomes habitual. We miss out on the life we want to enjoy when we let time slip by without intent.
Ultimately, a proper sleep schedule and letting myself get enough rest fuels me for the following day, leaving me feeling more motivated to spend my free time wisely. Whether it's talking with my husband, having dinner together, reading, cleaning, or just relaxing, I feel that I'm not so bound by 'bedtime' when I know I will be getting enough rest because I have actually dedicated time to sleep.
Getting Outside
This is a huge deal for me, personally. I thrive on fresh air and doses of sunshine. And, funny enough, it's not a coincidence that this makes us feel so great! I'm just going to sneak in a little Google Scholar search here, to show that there are literally countless studies on the link between our mental health and the outdoors (spoiler: it's a positive link!)
Something as simple as stepping onto my balcony to look at the sky can spike my serotonin...or whatever neurotransmitter it is in my brain that makes me feel lighter. I try my hardest to take frequent walks during my work day as a way to get outside and get some movement in. It not only helps my restlessness, but I feel less disconnected (or maybe more disconnected based on how you look at it haha) when I take a step away from the screen.
Hydration
Another especially simple way to take care of yourself is to drink some water. Just do it, honestly. It's the smallest leap you can make that has a huge impact on your mind and body. You'd be hard-pressed to unravel the mind/body connection. The two are so intrinsically combined - when we take care of one, we take care of the other. Keeping a water bottle handy is my way to ensure I'm properly hydrating because it's all too easy to ignore our body's need for water.
I tend to dislike anything flavored to make drinking water more 'interesting,' but it's totally worth a shot if you are someone who craves flavor. I have found that squeezing half a lemon into my water with a few pinches of salt is my personal favorite way to up my hydration game. Maybe this sounds weird, BUT... there may be some benefits to adding salt to your water, including replenishing electrolytes and quicker hydration. (Disclaimer: this is something to do in moderation)
Something You Love
Lastly, taking care of myself means taking time to do something I love. Think about what truly makes you feel at peace or filled up. For me, my number one thing is reading. I'll take my Kindle by the pool, to a coffee shop, or sit outside and read. Doing thing small activity that I truly enjoy feels so special and uplifting. I want to break down the idea that we must "earn" our right to rest and enjoyment. Having fun is essential to your wellbeing!
If it helps, schedule in the thing you love. This is something I want to be much better about. Make a date of it. Prioritize it. Whether it's cooking, or shopping, or swimming, or taking a walk, make plans to pursue it. This is your life! It's not frivolous or a waste of time to stop and breathe and find happiness in your favorite activity.
Western culture is structured on the principle that we don't inherently deserve goodness, that it must be hard-earned and paid for with a high price: namely, working ourselves into the ground. In an effort to fight such a toxic narrative, I have seen businesses, influencers, etc. make self-care burdensome and over-complicated. In the end, our wellbeing becomes another daunting task that inevitably gets put on the back burner as we deal with more "pressing" issues like work. I really reject this idea. Our wellbeing is simple if we want it to be. I'm attempting to cut back the weeds and throw out the toxic idea that I need MORE in order to be healthy.
xx,
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