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Self-care, the act of taking care of oneself, has become a buzzworthy topic, especially on social media. Search for #selfcare, which has over 32 million Instagram posts, and you’ll find inspirational quotes; Sunday checklists with things like “put on a face mask,” “light a candle,” and “binge-watch your favorite show”; meditative yoga poses, and lots of beauty products.
So how did self-care evolve into a commodity, and how can we embrace the practice of self-care mindfully in this age of technology?
The concept of taking care of oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally has long been practiced, especially by those in professions where mental and emotional stress is common, such as therapy, social work, and emergency medicine.
As our understanding of mental health expanded, coupled with the explosion of technology, people everywhere began embracing this concept and the general idea that wellness tools – including mental health care, movement, whole-food nutrition, and supplements – could be utilized to not just survive but improve quality of life.
Self-care as we know it today has become a valuable strategy for easing symptoms of anxiety. In the United States alone, 40 millions adults are affected by anxiety disorders, making anxiety the most common category of mental illness in the United States. And with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this number has likely skyrocketed.
Product brands have capitalized on this statistic, which has inspired our love of self-care products, from face masks to weighted blankets. All these products are great and can support relaxation any day of the week, but why do we feel the need to buy things to help us properly practice self-care? How can we take care of ourselves – both physically and emotionally – without relying on expensive products?
On the flip side, the trend of self-care has created a digital community where more people are opening up about their mental health struggles to find support. This community has helped dismantle the stigma of mental health conditions, allowing people to be more vulnerable and share their experiences while also being encouraged to prioritize their mental health.
It’s still important to point out that while engaging in self-care practices should be encouraged and can be a great way to decompress from a stressful day or week, these practices are not a proper substitute for seeking professional help and support for mental health conditions. If you believe you need professional support, check in with your healthcare practitioner for personalized recommendations.
Self-care spans across physical, mental, and spiritual health. What self-care means from one person to the next is bio-individual – what makes you feel good and whole will be different from what your partner, friend, or coworker needs to feel the same way.
Lynda Cloud, IIN’s CEO, says: “the term self-care is overused – almost three billion hits on Google – so it’s more important than ever to take inventory of what makes us feel happy. It’s extremely personal and bio-individual.”
To help you find what works for you, we’ve compiled 10 ways to practice self-care that don’t necessarily require any extra products or technology – some even encourage no technology – and can be practiced in ways that are totally unique to you. Lynda also shares how she practices these self-care tips in her own life:
Health Coaches work with clients to help implement self-care practices into their routines in order to reach their greater goals of achieving health and happiness. Ready to learn more about the training Health Coaches receive to help clients transform their health? Check out the Health Coach Training Program curriculum!
Learn more about IIN’s rigorous curriculum that integrates 90+ of the world’s leading experts in health and wellness, blending the scientific and the spiritual to create an immersive, holistic health education.