What Can You Do to Celebrate International Self-Care Day?

With International Self-Care Day approaching on July 24th, it’s good to have some tips and tricks to help you optimize your self-care routine. Most people neglect self-care practices in the hustle and bustle of today’s world. When juggling a lot, taking care of yourself can quickly fall to the back burner. 

There also seem to be misconceptions about what self-care is. Self-care is not about selfishly pampering or putting yourself before others. Self-care simply refers to how you take care of yourself and your well-being. For some, that means the occasional day at the spa. However, for many, it simply means carving out time to take a walk, meditate, or read a book. 

Due to these misconceptions, many struggle to practice self-care. Thankfully, SokyaHealth can help you improve your self-care routine. Created from the need for mental health and wellness in the online space, Sokya can help guide you on your path to wellness today. 

The Importance of Self-Care 

Self-care is the best way for you to optimize your overall well-being. That includes nourishing yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. The main reason people don’t practice self-care is that they simply don’t have the time. Many juggle full-time jobs or families or attend school full-time while working 40 hours a week. Whatever the reason, it can seem impossible to carve out time for yourself throughout these busy schedules. Unfortunately, being able to carve out time for self-care means all the difference between your success and failures. Not taking care of yourself leads to burnout, increased risk of mental health disorders, and causes physical stress on the body. 

The National Institue of Mental Health (NIMH) describes self-care as, “taking the time to do things that can help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health.” That includes finding ways to “manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy.” 

In a 2020 Southern New Hampshire University article written by Doctor Matthew Glowiak on what self-care is and why it’s important, he states, “Engaging in self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more.” He also recommends building a personalized self-care plan following the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) eight dimensions of wellness. 

Practicing Self-Care 

Aside from creating a personalized self-care plan, there are things you can implement into your daily routine today that will help you to enhance your self-care practices. Some tips offered by the NIMH include the following: 

Get regular exercise. 

Even if it’s just 30 minutes of walking daily, exercise will boost your mood and improve your physical and mental well-being. 

Eat healthily and stay hydrated. 

The body needs nourishment to function properly. Focusing on nutrition and getting plenty of water is an effective way to boost energy and improve focus and overall wellness. 

Make sleep a priority. 

Getting enough sleep is also essential to function. Making sure we’re getting an adequate amount of quality sleep is vital to your well-being. 

Set goals for yourself. 

Learning to prioritize will help you carve out time to focus on self-care. Make a daily list of what must get done and what can wait until tomorrow. This allows you to carve out time for self-care each day. 

Try relaxing activities. 

Focus on setting aside time for hobbies you enjoy, going for nature walks, or practicing mindfulness and meditation.

By following these tips, you’ll be more equipped to incorporate self-care activities into your daily routine. Not all suggestions will work well for you, as self-care looks different for everyone.

Dangers of Not Practicing Self-Care 

The effects of not practicing self-care vary. In general, though, a lack of taking care of yourself leads to the degradation of your mental and physical health. The NIMH recommends seeking professional help if you experience distressing symptoms for at least two weeks, including: 

• Trouble sleeping 

• Abnormal appetite and weight changes 

• Difficulty concentrating or even getting out of bed in the morning 

• Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable 

• The inability to function on a fundamental level either at work or within personal and familial responsibilities 

These are just a few symptoms you may experience. Not practicing self-care also puts people at a significantly increased risk of developing mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders. If you struggle to prioritize taking care of yourself, we encourage you to seek help today. Sokya embodies wellness, and together through our online platform, we can help you start practicing self-care just in time for International Self-Care Day!

Before you know it, you’ll be halfway through July, and International Self-Care Day will be just around the corner. Ironically enough, despite the international awareness, many people neglect self-care. That’s because people often confuse practicing self-care with selfishness; however, in order to be mentally well, you need to take care of yourself. Practicing self-care can be as simple as exercising, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. By not taking care of yourself, you’ll put your physical and mental health at risk. Self-care looks different for everyone, but we all must practice it if we hope to prevent both physical and mental health conditions. You just have to find self-care practices that are easy for you to implement into your everyday life. To learn how you can practice self-care just in time for International Self-Care Day, call SokyaHealth at 800-930-0803 today.