Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – it’s how you best position yourself to help others and contribute to the world. Self-care looks different for everyone, but can include many practices that improve your physical and mental health.
For example, setting aside 20 minutes in the morning to meditate or reserving one evening a week to take a bubble bath can be simple ways to practice self-care. And remember that even small habits add up!
4. Stay Connected with Your Health Care Provider
Having good communication with your health care provider is essential to staying healthy. It’s important that you share all of your information with them, including the things that might make you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable (like mental health problems or drinking). Your health care provider needs this information to provide quality care, and remember, anything you say to your provider is confidential.
During appointments, it may help to bring a friend or family member along who can take notes and support you. You can also ask your health care provider if you can email or fax information to them between appointments.
Be sure to describe all of your symptoms, how long they’ve been occurring, and what triggers them. You should also let your health care provider know about any major stressors or recent life changes, as these can impact your symptoms and treatment. Lastly, be sure that you understand what your health care provider is saying and that they understand your questions and concerns by asking them to explain or repeat back to you.
5. Take Time for Yourself
Many people associate time alone with feeling lonely, but spending some time away from others is a necessary part of healthy self-care. You may even find that you feel a renewed sense of energy and a better ability to manage stress once you get into the habit of spending time on your own.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be expensive, though. Often, simple things like getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet are the best ways to take care of yourself. The key is finding the right balance for your unique needs.
It’s also important to set boundaries when it comes to time and energy. This might mean establishing healthy limits with family members or having hard conversations that help you to prioritize what’s important to you. It might also mean removing things from your life that steal your energy and focus. It’s okay to start small, but focusing on making healthy habits the norm is key to long-term success. Aim for small daily goals like going for a walk each day or journaling for 10 minutes every night.