Self-care is essential for overcoming adversity. It is the practice of giving your body and mind the resources it needs to manage stress rather than seeking to numb the feeling of stress.
Engaging in healthy lifestyle habits like eating well, exercising and sleeping an adequate amount of time strengthen your immunity to stress, anxiety and depression.
When facing difficulties, we may be tempted to indulge in unhealthy behaviours that make us feel good in the moment but end up sabotaging our well-being.
Some examples are masking pain with alcohol or drugs, binge eating or staying up late.
Some ways to practice self-care are:
- Cooking a balanced meal
- Eating regularly
- Taking a nap
- Taking a long shower or bath
- Limiting your screen time
- Limiting your consumption of coffee and alcohol
- Meditation, deep breathing, Practicing Mindfulness
- Going for Nature walks, regular exercise
This is a great resource (from Positive Psychology) to remind us of the types of self-care we can practice:
