What is self care?
Self care is a concept that has been around for awhile and has been even more of a conversation topic lately given current events. But what exactly is it? Is it a bubble bath with a glass of wine? Is it making and finally sticking to a budget? Is it making your bed first thing in the morning?
What if it is all of that and none of it too? What has been emerging for me is that everything -every thought and action- is self care or it's not. It nourishes or it doesn't. It makes life work better and more delightfully, or it doesn't. Living a life that values self care means listening and being mindful. Listening to yourself for what you really want, what would feel good, what is missing that would take the moment to the next level. Being mindful if the thoughts you are entertaining and the actions you are taking are in alignment with what your spirit/ gut is saying. It's a whole approach to life -an approach to creating a life you love and that works for you.
As humans, we engage life in multifaceted ways. We have our physical well-being, but we also have a whole internal world full of conversations and decision making that impacts how we feel and move about in life. We also don't live as islands onto ourselves. Our lives are full of relational exchanges with friends, foes, colleagues, the cashier at the grocery store, the bank teller, the person waiting for the train next to you, etc. Encapsulating it all is our environment -the systems we employ at home and work, and those others employ that impact us. Systems enacted and employed by governments and organizations influence options available and processes of getting things done.
With all of these factors at play regarding how we live, what does self care look like in each area? This website explores that very question and includes tools many have found helpful for pursuing a life rich in self care.
Visit the Oregon Counseling website for more information about self care.
Want to level up your self care game?
If you want to live a life that is more caring for yourself, join our monthly self care game. Our games start the first of every month and help participants to take action in alignment with self care at the individual, social, and environmental levels. To sign up for our next game, click the button below and we'll be in touch with you shortly.
Coded by Sandhya Joshi------ Last updated: November 15, 2022