In today's digital era dominated by social media, we are inundated with a plethora of content on a daily basis. Without a doubt, many of us have encountered 'Self Care' content in some shape or form. We come across influencers projecting an image of perfection, encouraging us to strive for success and work hard, while emphasising the importance of finding time to take care of oneself and maintain balance in life.
But what is self-care, and is it an achievable goal for busy individuals juggling numerous responsibilities and priorities?
The official definition of the term self-care is ‘the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.’ Primarily, it involves anything you do to take care of yourself so that you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. We can also deduce that actively striving to take care of ourselves is crucial, rather than approaching it inattentively or passively.
There are numerous self-care techniques, each functioning in distinct ways. Consider starting with basic practices such as; ensuring you get enough sleep; engaging in enjoyable physical activity; or indulging in a relaxing pamper session. Additionally; simple activities like cooking a delicious meal; dancing to music; or disconnecting from your phone to read a book can significantly contribute to your well-being and aid in stress reduction.
Basically, anything that you perceive as beneficial for your well-being can be qualified as self-care!
So, whatever your situation is, you can definitely win back a bit of time for some self-care. This is achievable by cutting down on screen time and mindless scrolling, organising your schedule effectively, and gradually incorporating small steps that eventually lead to more opportunities to indulge in self-care.
And always keep in mind - social media is fake. Don't take everything you see online at face value, as it presents a distorted reality and the lives depicted are far from perfect. Remember, social media showcases only the highlights of people's lives.
So, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, take a moment to tune out the noise and prioritise yourself.