We all forget to stop and listen to our bodies sometimes. Whether you’re running late to work and don’t have time to eat lunch, or you’re pulling all-nighters four times a week, it’s easy to let life get in the way of us taking care of ourselves. However, we can’t let it slide just because it happens to everybody. If this sounds a lot like you or some of the habits that you have, then stick around to learn more about what self-care is, and how it can help you.
When you hear the words “self-care”, you might think of a lot of different things – yoga, beauty routines, mental health days, and more. There are so many different forms of self-care that people use to tune into their own bodies and address their health. Self-care doesn’t have a strict definition, but it does have to prioritize your mental and physical health so you can be your best self. It’s not about making your problems go away or trying to permanently heal your mental health forever; it’s just about making those things bearable and easier to deal with in your everyday life. And sometimes, for that to happen, we all need to take a step back and let ourselves breathe.
My acting teacher talks a lot about being “in the water”, which is a term she uses to describe being in the moment during a scene or show. I think this is a term that’s really helpful when describing what self-care does for the body and mind. Let’s say your daily life is the “water”. All of your stress, your responsibilities, and all the negative aspects of your life are in this water that you spend most of your time in. Self-care is what lets you step out of the water for a minute to reevaluate how you’re doing, how you’re handling things, and how your body is feeling. Doing this allows you to get back in the water with a new perspective and a healthier mind and body.
So how exactly can we practice self-care? Well, like I mentioned earlier, there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s whatever allows you to look at yourself and improve the way you deal with certain things in your life. This can mean a handful of different things, and if you’re still a little lost, here’s what’s worked for me or others.
Meditation
We do a lot of this in acting, and I’ve actually taken some of our warm-ups and used them as meditation routines at home. You can download lots of fantastic meditation apps or even find meditation guiding videos on Youtube. If you’d just like to do it yourself, you can put on some calming music and find a space where you feel comfortable. The goal of meditation is to clear your mind of whatever happened that day, and it’s a great time to just check in with your body to make sure you’re doing alright, and how to get better if you’re not.
Working Out
Endorphins are like little happiness signals that are sent up to your brain to improve your overall mood and mental health, and working out is a prime way to produce endorphins. It may feel like you’ve had a record-breaking bad day and the last thing you want to do is work out, but even if you don’t want to get out of bed, look up some easy couch or bed workouts on Pinterest. It’s not a lot, but even the smallest effort can make a world of difference. Plus, you’ll get #swoll at the same time.
Beauty Routines
Paying attention to your physical body in terms of beauty can give you insights into how your body handles stress and responds to it. It also allows you to take a little extra time in pampering yourself, which is a great way to slow down and relax. You can treat stress acne with a face mask, or use a hair treatment if you notice your hair falling out. The great smell of your beauty products can also enhance your mood (thanks again, endorphins!), and you gain confidence naturally when you start taking care of your body. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself.
There are so many other options for self-care out there, and whatever works for you is perfectly acceptable. With the consistently rising rate of mental health issues in our generation, it’s important not to be ashamed of whatever you’re going through and to voice your experiences. Whether it’s a pore strip or talking to a therapist, self-care is self-care, and it should be a vital part of our daily lives.