The Self-Care Craze
The self-care craze has become prominent in women’s blogs, self-help articles, and even amongst our employers and community groups. The idea is that as women, we take on too much, and we need to instead focus on creating “balance.” We must shift from just taking care of our families, managing our households, and working at our jobs, to spending more time alone or away from our children or responsibilities. We need to indulge in relaxation activities and stimulate our minds, bodies, and spirits. We should do this with whatever time we can manage to squeeze out of the day. But what types of things do we consider to be self-care?
The Self-Care Craze Takes Different Forms
I read novels and follow the news regularly. During the school year, I don’t seem to get through my novels as quickly. Yet reading is one of my favorite things to do. There is a sense of apathy once all the work and running around is done in the evenings. It becomes easier to scroll on my phone than exert the mental energy to read a book. The news is easier, but sometimes I can get sucked into that and it’s not always positive. It is important to me to replace some of this wasted time with getting back to reading more novels.
I listen to podcasts for inspiration and entertainment. Regularly, I do word searches and puzzles to keep my brain active. A goal of mine is to reintroduce more challenging texts to my life. I tend to read a lot of personal development and lighter fiction. I feel a bit out of touch with deeper readings and I would need to be more confident in my knowledge to ever go back into the academic teaching realm. It would help to make time to read in the mornings and evenings. Morning is the best time for enlightenment.
Self-Care is More than Relaxation
Self-care looks different for everyone. It is something for you to look forward to. It could be meditation, watching a good TV show, or quiet time on your phone. Yet it can also be incorporating healthy routines. It’s important to think of things that we can use to pamper ourselves and appeal to our senses. Yet habits that nourish our bodies and make us feel our best are also part of the equation. My ideal plan would include a walk or workout first thing, to get my body moving. It would be best to avoid putting it off until later. I would have a daily shake, for a shot of protein and greens right off the bat.
Then I would prepare a later breakfast with a focus on protein and fiber. I would take the time to get myself ready for the day. I need more time to dry and straighten my hair instead of always putting it up. I’d like to do basic makeup and put on flattering clothing. Healthy lunches and snacks would be planned for by doing chopping and prep work in advance. I would have 2 cups of greens by 2 pm. I would make sure veggies dominate my dinner plate, with protein and only a small portion of any starch. The day would wind down with extra movement, with a walk or time outdoors. Finally, I would end with an evening shower with an effective skincare routine. I would like to be in bed by 10:00 to get an earlier start the next day.
Taking Care of Yourself Can Feel Like Work
In addition to these daily practices, I would have occasional bubble baths or use bath bombs. A priority would be monthly pedicures, regular haircuts, and color. I would keep up with grooming each week to make me feel confident. Self-care isn’t just about going to the spa or having quiet time. It’s about incorporating healthy habits that allow us to look and feel our best, and have confidence. We often don’t have time for most of these things because we are too busy looking after everyone else. Our days are filled with checking items off the to-do list. We then get put at the bottom of the list every day. Self-care doesn’t just mean vegging out mindlessly; it also means looking after your body in every way, even when these habits feel like more work.
We would never think of not unloading the dishwasher, driving our kids where they need to go, or folding laundry. We put everything but our own selves first. Sometimes, these chores and tasks should wait. That way we can achieve more of a balance and care for ourselves as well as care for everyone else. Self-care is not just about relaxing – taking care of ourselves can feel like the hardest work. This is where we must recognize that the most important forms of self-care are active, not passive. Instead of feeling like it’s just more work, we need to focus on the benefits of taking these actions.
