Taking care of yourself is not selfish, on the contrary, it is essential! By taking care of yourself, you positively influence not only your well-being, but also your relationship with others. In this article, we will show you how to gradually integrate beneficial rituals into your daily life. Get ready to take some time for yourself, you deserve it!
Self-care: what does it mean?
When was the last time you deliberately took time just for yourself? Can’t remember? If so, now is the time to fix it!
We like to take care of our family, our friends or our partner. And that’s very good! We are social beings and helping others makes us happy. However, there is one important person in your life that you must not forget: you ! Your reserves of energy, attention and time are not inexhaustible. That’s why it’s important to listen to you, recognize your needs and protect yourself from undue pressure.
The expression “take care of oneself” or “self-care”, in English, speaks for itself. You take care of yourself by doing things that make you feel good, either physically or mentally . Your own well-being is thus put in the foreground.
However, it is not a question of thinking only of yourself or even of using others to achieve your ends. You continue to take care of the people important to you, but also of yourself. The goal is to know and respect your own limits and to communicate them clearly to others . This ability requires sensitivity to one’s own feelings , a measure of self-love, and good self-esteem.
Why is it important to take care of yourself?
These days, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself. When you have a busy schedule and little time to do everything, it can lead to feelings of stress, inner turmoil, or overload. So many reasons to take better care of yourself on a daily basis.
If you neglect your well-being for too long and ignore your needs, this can have negative repercussions:
- You constantly feel exhausted and lack energy.
- You are irritable and unbalanced.
- You spend yourself and don’t take a break.
- You are not satisfied.
Taking care of yourself means above all maintaining a positive relationship with yourself . You confront your feelings and thoughts, get to know yourself better, discover the things that do not make you feel good and learn to let them go. Therefore, you are at peace and in harmony with yourself .
Taking care of yourself on a daily basis is not as easy as it seems at first glance. Some people find it difficult to consciously prioritize their well-being and find time for themselves, especially when they are used to meeting their obligations around the clock . There are several reasons for this:
Reason #1: You don’t want to appear selfish to others.
Do you like to be there for others, but you have little time left for yourself? Tell yourself that taking care of yourself is not selfish! People who want to be there for others need to take care of themselves first. If you are well, then you can better help others. You approach situations differently and in a more relaxed way.
Reason #2: You think you don’t deserve it.
Everyone deserves to take care of themselves. And you too ! Know your true worth and take time for yourself. You will avoid situations in which you do not want to be and can improve your self-confidence.
Reason #3: Your performance is more important than your own well-being.
Always giving the best of yourself can end up being tiring. This is why it is essential that you find a certain balance in your life. Remember that taking time for yourself has nothing to do with laziness. Relaxing is as important as performing well and is part of a balanced daily life.
How to take care of yourself?
Taking care of yourself is an enduring parameter that should be an integral part of your life. It goes far beyond taking a bath with foam and candles or reading a book, although these are good ways to help you relax. There is no doubt ! But there are so many other things to do. Our advice and exercises can help you gradually integrate more beneficial rituals into your daily life.
Tip #1: Learn to value yourself
Do you think you need other people’s approval? This is the wrong approach. Treat yourself with respect and recognize that your value does not depend on the opinion of others. You are precious and you deserve to take care of yourself. As an exercise, you can pay more attention to the words you use when talking about yourself. Try to formulate your sentences in a positive way and throw yourself some flowers too! For more advice, take a look at our article “ Positive self-esteem: 7 tips to increase your self-esteem on a daily basis ”.
Tip #2: Recognize your own needs
When was the last time you wondered what you needed? Listen to yourself. Would you like to have more time for yourself and your hobbies? Or have you dreamed of learning to play a new instrument for a long time? A romantic dinner? A virtual meeting with your friends? Or just a bit of peace?
Also read: Can we really learn self-defense alone and how to do it?
There are so many needs and wants. Self-care means getting to know them and taking them into account. To practice, you can keep a diary to go in search of your needs. It allows you to confront your thoughts and feelings and reflect on the things you may be missing.
Tip #3: Set Clear Boundaries
Self-care also means being able to set boundaries and say “no”. If you know your limits and ensure that they are respected, then you will be happier and will not be taken advantage of. Always ask yourself if it really suits you. Can you muster the necessary energy and time?
Not everyone may like being rejected, but most will understand. If your relationships are based on respect, others will know that you also need time for yourself.
Tip #4: Listen to your body
Taking care of yourself starts with meeting your physical needs. Are you drinking enough water? Are you sleeping enough? Do you eat regularly, and things that make you feel good? Are you physically active on a daily basis? A delicious meal, a bit of exercise or a walk can do wonders and ensure that the hormones of happiness are released!
Tip #5: Stop thinking about 3,000 things at once
Being in harmony with yourself allows you not to self-flagellate or destroy yourself mentally. So drive away your negative thoughts as soon as they appear. Ideally, ask yourself why you think so and try to have a realistic view instead of seeing everything negatively.
Try to focus your attention on positive things. Be aware of your surroundings and ask yourself what you are grateful for. It can be anything and everything. A delicious meal, an awesome friend, an exciting book, a yoga flow or a great movie. Every little thing that makes you feel good counts.
How about doing a little meditation to calm your thoughts? To learn how to meditate step by step, read our article “ How to meditate? Relaxation and concentration at the key! “.
Tip #6: Incorporate fixed rituals into your daily life
Taking care of yourself does not have the same definition according to people. However, rituals can have the particularity of coming to break a frenetic or monotonous daily life.
They can help you find inner peace , bring you closer to a particular goal, establish new habits and bring more structure to your daily life. Set office hours, scheduled meals, regular breaks, and planned home workouts can give you the satisfaction of having accomplished things during the day and clear your head.
For a ritual to take on its full meaning in your eyes, it must correspond to your centers of interest and enrich your daily life. You should not see it as a waste of time or a burden, but rather as a pleasure. Thus, you will do it regularly and it will eventually become a ritual.
Taking care of yourself: our conclusion
- Self-care is about doing things that positively influence your own physical and mental well-being.
- It’s not selfish, but helps you improve your quality of life and your relationship with others.
- Taking care of yourself involves knowing your own worth, setting clear boundaries, meeting your basic needs, pursuing your passion, and focusing on the positive.
- And to make it your daily life, you have to figure out what you really need and make those things a fixed ritual.