The Importance of Self-Care

By Donna Kostiew

“Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others!” How many times have we, as parents, heard that? And what does that statement really imply? Taking care of others (our children, our spouses, our parents and friends) is incredibly honorable and noble, but should that be the foundation of why we need to take care of ourselves? Self-care is incredibly important for many reasons, but most of all, it is so that we can live a long, healthy, and productive life.

Three Aspects of Self-Care

There are three main components to self-care. Let’s take a look at each.

Fitness - Getting plenty of exercise offers so many benefits to our bodies and is vital to our health, but it is often the most neglected. Exercise has been shown to boost the body’s immune system, to improve sleep, and to have a positive effect on moods, anxiety, and stress. So try adding in some workout sessions during your week, or if you can’t do that, add some extra movement during your days.

Nutrition - A well-balanced diet that is full of nutrition is the foundation of good health for everyone. This includes whole, fresh foods, heart-healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and let’s not forget, water. Packaged and processed foods should be consumed in moderation as well as high-sugar food items and alcohol. Following a healthy diet helps to keep your body in optimal shape by managing weight, maintaining its everyday functions, and reducing the risk of many diseases and infections.

Emotional/Mental Health – This type of care can mean many different things to different people, but is extremely important nonetheless. By focusing on our emotional and mental well-being, stress, anxiety, and depression can potentially be reduced. This can include such things as counseling, meditation, connecting with friends and loved ones, relaxation exercises, and participating in activities that you love to do (cooking, reading, hobbies, nature).

These are all simply suggestions of things to do, but anything that can be done to make yourself healthier can be considered an act of self-care. And while you don’t need to halt your life and do all of this at once, you may be able to fit some of the suggestions (or your own versions) into your busy days. No one knows you better than yourself, so take the time to find what works for you and add a little more of it to your life.

So should you take care of yourself so that you can take care of others? Sure. But after you take care of yourself for yourself. After all, you deserve it!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cumming, Ga.