Self Care is Knowing Who You Are & Your Limits

Written by Angelina Colon, MS, LAC, NCC

What is self-care?

Self-care in essence is the mindful taking of time to pay attention to you, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you. Self-care means knowing who you are and your limits.

Self-care means recognizing when you are doing more than you are used to handling and trying to figure out what can be done to slow down. Try to find a way to decompress throughout your day. Ask yourself, what helps you tune out the noise of your day, how can you rest your mind during and after a stressful day. Trying to integrate mini breaks throughout your day helps to refresh the mind and body. For example, try stretching or taking a walk, drinking some water, and talking to a friend.

Self-care means identifying what you enjoy doing and what's fun for you and make a serious effort to integrate it into your day or, at the very least, your week. Make it a habit to plan something to look forward to everyday and that doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as planning to read a good book at night or planning to have dinner with someone whose company you enjoy.

Remember that self-care is not only about taking care of your mind, but also taking care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Take the time to pause and reflect on what you need to make sure you are the best version of yourself!

Examples of self-care activities to engage in: