The Truth About Self-Care

You probably know, deep down, that taking care of yourself is important… But do you know what “taking care of yourself” looks like? You may say that caring for yourself means exercising, eating well, not smoking, etc.  And yes, self care does refer to these physical components. Taking care of one’s body involves regular physical activity, healthy eating, adequate sleep, stress management, and regular medical care.

But self-care is more than that. It also includes emotional wellness – an awareness of your feelings, an ability to express those feelings, and an ability to cope with your emotions. How does this relate to self-care? Well, where do you think your emotions go if you don’t identify and express them? Do they go away? Think about it. Have you ever noticed that even when you’ve “forgotten” something that has made you sad, that memory comes rushing back the next time you are sad? Or that when you are angry at someone, you can recall all of the other people who have done you wrong? For better or worse, emotions don’t just disappear; if you don’t deal with them, they live inside of your body. Taking care of your emotions is just as important in taking care of yourself as getting a good night’s sleep.

With the stressful holiday season fast approaching, it is tempting to put self-care on the back burner. But during this time of year, self-care is more important than ever. Not only are there more demands on your time, but emotions may be heightened. Practices such as listening to your body, setting healthy boundaries, and being aware of internal negative messages can help you get through this season in a much healthier way. If you don’t take care of yourself this season, who will?

The Staff at Total Health Concepts

www.TotalHealthConcepts.net