The concept of self-care has recently gained mass popularity. Defined as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health,” self-care is essential for everyone. However, as the prevalence of the term has grown, so has a misconstrued idea of what it is.
With its popularization, the idea of self-care has grown into an act of lavishing yourself with products bought based on the concept of “treat yo’ self” while laying in bed scrolling through your phone avoiding your problems. Now, there is nothing wrong with buying something for yourself or taking a mental break; however, the problem lies in how self-care has been equated with these acts of enjoyment and relaxation. Companies seem to be selling the idea that face masks alone will help fix your life, but thinking that buying a product will fix your problems or laying around avoiding what you need to do is the proper way to handle your situation are the ways in which self-care has become misunderstood recently.
Self-care is hard work, and it does not look the same for everyone. Overall, the important thing to gain in the context of self-care is a balance. Just like all other aspects of life, effective self-care is an act of balance. While a portion of it may be getting the rest you need, taking care of your personal hygiene, and taking a mental break as needed, those are not the only forms of self-care. Self-care is diverse in what it can be. It may include marking stuff off of your checklist for the day, eating something nutritious on a regular schedule (or eating at all–any food is better than no food), going for a walk, or getting away from your phone and electronics. Self-care is dictated by what you need, not just what you want.
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Keep in mind though, for those dealing with mental illness and things of that sort, self-care can be difficult to practice on a daily. We’re not here to judge or shame those dealing with mental illness because there are some days you just can’t get out of bed, and exhaustion makes it hard to check things off your to-do list. Self-care is a complex process that does not look the same for everyone. Other days it may include studying, doing some sort of exercise, and eating a full meal. And on some days self-care is recognizing you need help in order to improve your health. If self-care means just getting out of bed to brush your teeth, splash water on your face, and eat a light snack, you probably need to reach out for some support. It is okay to not feel okay, and if this is you, there are resources at UCSB to help you such as CAPS and Student Health. Even if you are not at your lowest, reaching out and getting help before you get there is a good method of self-care.
The most important self-care strategy, which applies to all people, is checking in with yourself. By checking in with yourself, you can properly assess what your self-care for the day should look like. Self-care is a constant ongoing act to further improve your state. So, whether self-care is a small indulgence or a big step towards developing a healthier life, taking the best possible care of yourself gives you the means to further accomplish your bigger goals in life.