Self-care is a hot topic right now. Social media is flooded with individuals going to nail salons, saying, “#selfcare” or pictures of beaches with captions regarding self-care. But it can be incredibly confusing and difficult to discover exactly what it is, the importance of self-care and how to implement it. Self-care is rarely defined, or conflicting information is given. So, let’s start there. Self-care in its simplest form is what gives you energy, what shows you kindness, nurtures you, and pours back into you.
Have you found that you are constantly giving to others in your work, family, or friends?
This often results in neglecting yourself. You are left with nothing. You may feel burned out, irritable, and frustrated when you try to pour from an empty cup. Your mental health starts to suffer. So, in this blog, I will discuss some popular myths about self-care, list some examples of self-care, give insight on how to implement this important practice and highlight the impact it can have on your life.
Myth 1: I can’t afford to indulge in self-care.
Self-care does not need to be expensive. You can have some items that are more expensive than others, however you can choose what currently fits your budget. Self-care is adaptable. You can tailor it to fit your needs and change it as your needs change.
Some no-cost self-care examples include: taking a nap, listening to your favorite type of music, going to bed on time, listing three things you’re grateful for, stating 10 positive affirmations, giving/ receiving a hug or calling a friend.
Myth 2: I don’t have the time for self-care.
It can be especially challenging when it feels like self-care is another thing added to your to-do list. We want you to know that self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate and time-consuming. You can make time for you, even if it is just a few minutes. A few minutes totally counts! By having a variety of different things available for self-care you are more likely to find one you do have time for. It can help you in the moment to choose something that is feasible with the time that you do have.
15 minutes or less self-care examples include: eating 70% dark chocolate, taking a hot shower, watching a short comedy set, meditating, reading 10 pages of a book, journaling, drinking a glass or water, or lighting a candle.
Myth 3: I feel guilty.
Guilt around taking time for yourself can be harder to unpack on your own. Just like the airplane safety speech asks you to put your own mask on first, nourishing and supporting yourself allows you to be present and able to help others. You know that if you put someone else’s mask on first you may pass out and be unable to help anyone. The same is true for your personal life. If you are not prioritizing yourself then your ability to help other people will be impacted.
Where to start? I encourage all my clients to create a list of 50 items in their phones that gives them energy. This may feel incredibly daunting. With some research online, talking to friends and some time, you can find a variety of 50 things that work for you personally. It’s important to write these items down as well, because when life gets hard, it’s hard to think what will make the situation better. Think of it like a menu of supportive things you can do for you.
By preparing for it ahead of time, you can quickly look through your phone, find what seems helpful for your particular situation and implement it. However, it is not ideal to only practice self-care when difficult scenarios come up, but rather aim at incorporating 2-3 items from your list into your everyday life. This way when life gets difficult you have more tolerance, grace and kindness for yourself and others because you have been storing it up. I have seen clients radically change their life by simply incorporating more daily self-care into their life. They are now able to enjoy life, greet new mornings with excitement, and are able to handle life’s hardships with hope.
And this is just the beginning. I hope you take the courageous steps to start caring for yourself, but if you are struggling with difficult emotions, I am here for you. It is an honor and a privilege to start this journey with you.
By Karissa Stewart, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (IMH21998)
Ready to Start Individual Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL?
Beginning the journey to your best self is easier than most of the things we’re all doing right now! Therapy does not have to wait. You can get the mental health support you need with a skilled therapist in St. Pete or with online therapy in Florida. To begin, just follow these simple steps:
- Contact us to request an appointment
- Meet with one of our experienced therapists.
- Get support & begin your journey toward mental wellness & connection today!
Other Mental Health and Wellness Services at ME-Therapy
At ME-Therapy, we believe in the importance of mental, emotional & physical wellbeing. Our therapists want to help your mind but also want to feed your soul. This means we take a holistic approach to mental health. In order to do this, we offer a wide range of mental health services in our St. Petersburg office and online including therapy for women, therapy for men, trauma therapy, and holistic, spiritual therapy. For couples and relationships, we want you to know that our relationship therapists are here for you ALL. In addition to marriage counseling, we provide sex therapy, affair recovery counseling, and poly-friendly kink-aware therapy.
