What is self-care and why is it important?
In most of our daily lives we have so many responsibilities and things to get done that
we may not really want to do. It is important to be able to engage in activities that we enjoy.
However, that is not all self-care is. It is so much more that “doing something we want.” Such as
getting our nails done. Self-care means taking care of ourselves so that we can be healthy, we
can do our jobs, we can care for others, and do all the things we need and want to do. We
cannot do any of these well if we are not taking care of ourselves.
Self-care can be as simple as hydrating. Or, taking a few minutes to sit with ourselves
and breathe. It might be taking a nap or eating something nutritious that will help us recharge.
Some people may need to socialize while others may need alone time.
Self-care is part of the answer to how we can all better cope with daily stressors or
major life events. When we are taking care of ourselves and feeling well, our physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual states are being supported. We may be doing well in some of these
areas and struggling in another. It is important to practice checking in with ourselves to see
what it is we actually need. Maybe we are having our physical needs met; we’re going on walks,
hydrating, and eating three meals a day. But maybe we aren’t engaging in activities that
support our spiritual well-being. For some, that may be breath work, reading astrology articles,
connecting with nature or community members.
If you don’t know where to begin, we have a blog that has some self-care check-in
questions to get you started or to have you further question what it is you may need for self-
care, as everyone needs different things at different times.
Sometimes we don’t know what we need to do to take care of ourselves. It can become part of
our self-care practice to check in with ourselves. Asking ourselves how we are feeling physically
and emotionally can be a good start in identifying our needs to feel restored. Below are some
check-in questions to support this idea. These are suggestions to get you started. You do not
need to answer all of these. Choose what resonates.
Self-care Check-in Questions
What gets in the way of you taking care of yourself?
What does our culture say about self-care?
What would be your ideal self-care routine?
What is the most helpful thing you are doing for yourself right now?
What is one habit you wish could replace, and what would it be?
Which area of your life do you feel the most stress?
What is the behavior are you practicing that is causing you the most harm?
What activity in your life brings you the most joy?
Are you satisfied with your eating habits?
When do you feel like you are operating at your best?
Do you feel like you are making the most out of each day?
How often do you spend time outside?
How do you feel when you walk into your workspace or your home?
Describe your sleeping patterns.
What negative thinking patterns keep you from growing into the person you want to be?
What negative thoughts about yourself are you holding on to?
How are you managing your time?
What areas of your life do you prioritize?
What is the first thing you thought about when you woke up?
How often do you reflect on your life or your behaviors?
How would you describe your truest, most authentic self?
When do you feel the most whole? What part of you is on display?
Write down and or think about what you appreciate about yourself: Mind, body and soul.
How did you show up for yourself or for someone else today?
What drains you? What fulfills you?
What does stress feel like in your body? Where do you feel it? When was the last time you faced a stressful situation, how did you react? How did you self soothe?
When you feel stress rising up in your body, the thoughts and reactions of your body are not who you are. Can you imagine experiencing an emotion without reacting in a negative and or unhealthy way? What would that look like for you?
What are the coping skills you can use in these situations to minimize stress?