Self-Care as Health Care: The Path to a Happier, Healthier You

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Early in my career, I had an elderly patient who lived in a long-term care facility. She had a long list of health problems. On our first visit, as I asked her about her medical history, she sat shyly with her eyes down, and her hand crept slowly into mine. She gave me a sideways glance as if to ask if it was ok. I smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and we continued.

Every session after that, she would come in and hold my hand as I asked how she was, and often, while she was on my table having acupuncture, I would stand with her and hold her hand to comfort her.

This patient, in her sweet way, was tending to her needs—or practicing self-care.

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Self-care is the intentional practice of caring for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Caring for ourselves means becoming attuned to our needs and making the time to engage in activities that nurture and support us in body, mind, and spirit.

Self-care can help us manage stress, handle difficult emotions, avoid illness, be more resilient, and live healthier and happier lives.

Part of self-care is listening to our bodies. Our bodies continuously speak to us—sending us signals that they are content or that something may be amiss. We are all born with the ability to sense what our body needs, be it sleep or hunger, but many of us have forgotten how to listen. Part of the reason is the hectic nature of our lives, which are full of constant stimulation—from social media to caffeine, which have their own impacts on our health.

Self-care encourages us to slow down, become quiet, and tune in to ourselves.

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Leo Babauta writes that in all our acts of self-care to improve our health, one of the most neglected—and perhaps the most important—is loving ourselves. The concept is so foreign to people that many don’t know what it means, and many of us have never consciously done it. Self-care is, in essence, an act of self-love, and vice versa.

Caring for ourselves is not selfish, but can be viewed that way by many of us who live in a culture that values ambition and achievement, often at the expense of our health and well-being. Self-care may also be at odds with those taught to value putting others first, especially in roles like caregiving and parenting.

Self-care is about replenishing your own energy and well-being so you can be more present, giving, and loving toward others. When you recognize your own needs, you become more attuned to the needs of those around you.

Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or mean a week at the spa; it can be as simple as making yourself a cup of your favorite tea or relaxing in a warm bubble bath.

Below are some examples of self-care, from physical to spiritual:

• Take a nap
• Go for a walk in nature
• Walk barefoot in the grass
• Make yourself a meal or your favorite dessert
• Curl up with a good book
• Write in a journal
• Meditate or pray
• Listen to your favorite music
• Draw, paint, or write poetry
• Dance
• Go out for lunch with friends
• Connect with loved ones
• Practice gratitude
• Watch a movie or listen to a podcast
• Have a massage
• Clean and declutter
• Knit or sew
• Rest and recharge
• Set boundaries and say “no” when needed to preserve your energy
• Take a break from screens
• Do something kind for someone
• Volunteer
• Go on an extreme adventure

Self-care is personal and will be different for everyone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, pause and ask yourself, “What do I need right now?” By prioritizing your well-being, you’re not only nurturing yourself, you’re setting an example for everyone in your life to do the same.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.