When we allow ourselves to engage in self-care, we model to others that self-care is healthy, important and does not need to come with guilt. Feeling comfortable and happy with who you are can enrich your life and even improve your overall mental well-being and relationships with others. Here are 3 tips to start building a healthy relationship with yourself!
I am fairly confident I am not the only one who feels a bit of excitement/relief when a plan with a friend gets canceled.
This is not because I don’t want to spend time with said friend, but it means I don’t have to socialize, can stay home and snuggle my dog, and don’t have to feel guilty that the plans didn’t work out. However, when the time comes and I am the one who wants to cancel plans because I simply don’t feel like socializing, I automatically feel a sense of guilt take over and my thoughts begin to race. Will they be mad? Do I seem unreliable? What if I miss out? What if they choose to not make plans anymore with me? You may have heard or read about the elusive ‘self-care practice’ and wondered…
What the heck does that mean anyway? Well, I am here to enlighten you. It is something that we often over-look, take for granted or push aside. To practice self-care is to deliberately engage in activities that improve your mental, emotional and physical well-being. This seems pretty simple, but in reality, it can be a challenging task for many. There are so many benefits to self-care, such as regulating your mood, reducing anxiety symptoms, and strengthening relationships with self and others. A quote I enjoy that emphasizes the importance of this is “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. In short, you cannot give yourself to others (job included) unless you have taken the time to ‘recharge your batteries’ or ‘put fuel in your gas tank’. It is NOT selfish to self-care but in fact necessary to avoid burning yourself out. To take time to self-care means that you know yourself, your needs, and you are being responsible for yourself. Sometimes all that means is saying no to extra responsibilities and simply knowing what you can or cannot take on. |
|
OverviewNWO’s source for all things relationships, mental health, wellness, lifestyle, and pandemic support. Kelly Magazine is a mental health outreach initiative created by Kelly Mental Health and supported by Kelly Mental Health Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the community in the area of mental health.
|
Magazine |
Follow Us |
In support of @kellymentalhealthfndn |
© COPYRIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WEB DESIGN BY KMH