Self-care is not Selfish
Self Care is not Selfish (February 12, 2022)
Self care feels like it is a new concept, but I think it is a concept that is more accepted out loud now. There is still a lot of criticism of the term from some folks, but I argue that we just try to ignore those voices on this topic as self care is one of the most important things a person can do for themselves. Just as one would attend physical therapy after injuring a leg to help ensure it heals properly, self care is a vital part of caring for ourselves as a person, and requires time and dedication.
If you don’t care for yourself (within your limits) who will?
Self care is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider (WHO, 2019)”. The impact of self care can be broader and dip into several aspects of a person’s life: hygiene, nutrition, exercise, leisure activities, social environment, and self-medication (WHO, 2019). Self care can look different for everyone, as each individual has their own needs, and it can change to reflect what is needed at different times in your life. It is important to know that things can and will change, and that change is ok.
Sometimes self care is drawing up a warm bath, dumping in some epsom salt, lighting a candle, and grabbing a full glass of water to help relax your muscles at the end of a long day (which has been every day for the last two years). Other days, self care is making sure you take your vitamins and eat your vegetables. Taking care of your body and mind is vital to a healthier life, and it is not selfish to take care of yourself. I think the nay-sayers think that self care is just an excuse to buck responsibilities and be lazy. If taking 30 minutes away from all other things to take a relaxing soak in a bath is lazy, then so is making sure you drink enough water in a day. (insert giant eye roll) You are worthy of care and you deserve time off from the day to day responsibilities so you can recharge and feel rejuvenated.
I don’t think I can ever say this enough, taking care of yourself is not being lazy!
You are a whole human, there are parts of your life beyond just being a parent. While being a parent is nearly all consuming, there are parts of you that need to be acknowledged outside the parent title.
References
World Health Organization. (2019, May 15). What do we mean by self-care? World Health Organization. Retrieved February 12, 2022, from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/self-care-interventions/definitions/en/
