Taking care of yourself is so important, especially when you are a caregiver. If you don’t take care of yourself, then you can’t take care of others. Self-care should be an essential part of our daily routines. Self-care is not a selfish act but is a very essential part of strengthening your body, mind, and soul. Without self-care, then a caregiver will not be mentally or physically capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of caring for another person or people. Specific methods of self-care can mean different things to different people. Physical exercise, hygiene, hobbies, and relaxation are four subject areas for one to practice self-care. Within those four areas, physical exercise, hygiene, hobbies, and relaxation, there are several ways to relieve personal tension and stress depending on personal preferences and needs.
Physical exercise is an essential part of self-care. It keeps our bodies healthy and strong while boosting self confidence that is critical for caregivers. Self confidence is a driving force for caregivers to keep going and helping others. There are so many ways to strengthen our bodies—running, surfing, walking, yoga, dance, going to the gym, and team sports are some ways you can work on staying physically healthy and strong. Some people like to participate in physical exercise alone. While you are competing in solo exercises and sports, you can focus on building inner and outer strength. Other people like to participate in group activities, classes, or sports teams. Participating in exercise activities with other people helps improve social skills, builds values such as teamwork, and reduces social isolation.
Hygiene is an essential part of self-care. Some caregivers get so caught up in caring for others, they don’t prioritize time to take care of themselves. Taking pride in your appearance will boost self-esteem and health. It is ok to take the time to shower, groom your hair, and manicure your nails. You can dress comfortably yet presentably. Some people like to go to a spa or salon to be pampered and taken care of themselves. Some people prefer to do these things themselves at home. Regardless of your preference to do these things at home or somewhere else, it is essential to remember that you need to prioritize time for personal hygiene. Even the military understands the importance of proper foot care and taking care of your boots/shoes. Caring for your feet will enable you to keep going, keep walking, and keep up with day-to-day life.
Hobbies are important for overall wellbeing. Hobbies help caregivers maintain a sense of self. Often caregivers will give up hobbies in the pursuit of caring for others. Don’t lose yourself! Hobbies come in many customizable forms. Music, art, athletics, gaming, are some of the vast genres of hobbies you can partake in. Listening to music, dancing to music, and learning an instrument helps develop the mind, and allows you to focus internally so that you can express your feelings in a safe manner. The same is true for art. Drawing, painting, and sculpting are safe ways to express yourself. Some people like use creativity to sew, crochet, or knit. Others like to build things with wood, metal, plastics, or resin. Self-expression is so important in self-care, so that you don’t lose yourself while caring for others. Sometimes hobbies are activities such as fishing, building cars, or driving your favorite vehicle. Whatever your hobby is, don’t’ forget to express yourself and never give up your hobbies!
Relaxation is another important part of self-care. Relaxation helps reduce anxiety and heal the mind which allows you to become stronger. Believe it or not, prioritizing time to relax your body and mind will help you when you need to focus on completing daily tasks. Relaxation can mean different things for different people. Some people simply need a good solid 8 hours of sleep to fulfill their relaxation needs. Other people need ways to wind down their overactive thoughts. Some safe ways to relax include listening to music, watching TV or movies, reading books, or even playing video games. Sometimes, relaxation can intertwine with hobbies. For example, you can relax at the beach, while fishing, or meditate while doing yoga. Practicing mindfulness is another great way to relax. Mindfulness is being aware of the body and its functions. Mindfulness can also be awareness of other people, however, for the topic of self-care, we will focus on mindfulness of self. To become mindful, one can begin with the focus of one’s breathing. From there, focus on each body part and its function or sensation. For example, you can focus on the hot (or cold) air entering your lungs, or the softness of the carpet on your toes. Regardless of how you choose to relax, it is important that sometimes you need to allow yourself to wind down. Sometimes it is faster to go slow—if you constantly move at a fast pace, you may forget something, overlook something., or increase chance for error. Relax, slow down and be thorough. A focused and relaxed mind is a strong mind capable of overcoming obstacles that come in your way.
In conclusion, it is essential to remember that you must make self-care a priority. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others! Don’t make the excuse to yourself that you are too busy caring for others to be able to care for yourself. You are important too.