Embracing Self-Care: What It Really Means and Why It Matters
Embracing Self-Care: What It Really Means and Why It Matters
Self-care gets talked about a lot.
Sometimes it sounds like taking a luxurious bath, getting a massage, spending a day at the spa, or buying yourself something nice.
And those things can certainly be self-care if you enjoy them.
But self-care is much bigger than that.
At its simplest, self-care means paying attention to your own physical, mental, and emotional needs and doing something to support them.
That can mean getting enough sleep.
Eating regularly.
Moving your body.
Taking a break.
Setting a boundary.
Calling a friend.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Care
What is self-care?
Self-care is the intentional practice of supporting your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can include everything from sleep, nutrition, and movement to rest, relationships, boundaries, hobbies, and asking for help.
Is self-care selfish?
No. Taking care of your own needs doesn't mean ignoring other people. Self-care helps ensure that your own health and well-being aren't consistently pushed to the bottom of the list.
What are some simple self-care activities?
Self-care can include taking a walk, getting enough sleep, spending time with people you care about, enjoying a hobby, taking a break from technology, eating regularly, spending time outdoors, or simply saying no when your schedule is already full.
How can I practice self-care if I don't have much time?
Start small. A few minutes of quiet, a short walk, a break from your phone, or going to bed a little earlier can all count. Self-care doesn't have to take an hour or require a major change to your schedule.
How often should I practice self-care?
There isn't a specific schedule that works for everyone. The goal is to regularly pay attention to your physical, mental, and emotional needs rather than waiting until you're exhausted or overwhelmed.
Going for a walk.
Or deciding that you don't actually have to say yes to everything.
Self-care isn't about adding another long list of things to your already busy schedule.
Sometimes, it's about figuring out what you can take off that list.
What Does Self-Care Actually Mean?
Self-care is intentional.
It's recognizing that your needs matter too, rather than waiting until you're completely exhausted, overwhelmed, or burned out before doing something about it.
That doesn't mean ignoring your responsibilities or putting yourself above everyone else.
It means recognizing that you are also a person who needs rest, food, movement, connection, downtime, and support.
And those needs can change.
What you need during a stressful week may be different from what you need when life feels relatively calm.
That's why I don't think self-care should be treated as a rigid checklist.
There isn't a prescribed number of self-care activities you need to complete every week.
Self-Care Isn't Always Fun[Heading 4]
This is one of the things I think gets lost when talking about self-care.
Self-care isn't always enjoyable in the moment.
Going to bed instead of staying up another hour scrolling through your phone may not sound exciting.
Making a doctor's appointment you've been putting off isn't exactly glamorous.
Saying no to something you don't have the time or energy to do may be uncomfortable.
Going for a walk when you've been sitting at your desk all day might not feel particularly appealing.
But these things can still be acts of self-care because they're supporting your health and well-being.
Sometimes self-care feels good.
Sometimes it feels responsible.
Sometimes it is simply doing something your future self will appreciate.
Why Does Self-Care Matter?
Life can be demanding.
Work, family, caregiving, household responsibilities, finances, relationships, and the general business of being a human being can leave very little time for yourself.
When your own needs consistently move to the bottom of the list, it can eventually affect how you feel and function.
Self-care can help support several areas of well-being.
Managing Stress
You can't eliminate every source of stress from your life.
Wouldn't that be nice?
But you can build habits that help you manage stress and recover from it.
Taking a walk, getting enough sleep, spending time outside, talking with someone you trust, or simply taking a few quiet minutes can provide some much-needed space.
Supporting Physical Health
Self-care includes the basics.
Eating enough nutritious food.
Getting adequate sleep.
Moving your body.
Staying hydrated.
Keeping up with preventive healthcare.
Taking medications as prescribed when needed.
These aren't particularly exciting forms of self-care, but they matter.
Supporting Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Self-care can also mean paying attention to how you're feeling.
Maybe that means journaling.
Maybe it's meditation.
Maybe it's talking with a friend.
Maybe it's working with a mental health professional.
Maybe it's recognizing that you're having a difficult day and giving yourself some room rather than expecting yourself to operate at full capacity.
And sometimes, asking for help is one of the most important forms of self-care available.
Maintaining Relationships
Self-care isn't necessarily something you do alone.
Spending time with people you care about can be an important part of well-being.
So can asking for help when you need it.
So can setting boundaries in relationships that consistently leave you exhausted.
Taking care of yourself doesn't mean withdrawing from everyone around you.
Sometimes it means creating healthier relationships with the people in your life.
What Counts as Self-Care?
This is where I want you to forget about the stereotypical image of self-care.
If a bubble bath relaxes you, great.
If it doesn't, don't take one just because someone on social media told you that self-care requires it.
Your self-care might look like:
Going for a walk
Knitting
Reading
Gardening
Cooking something you enjoy
Spending time with your dogs
Getting enough sleep
Taking a technology break
Listening to music
Spending time outdoors
Exercising
Meeting a friend for coffee
Saying no to something you don't have the capacity to do
Asking someone for help
Making an appointment you've been putting off
Taking five quiet minutes between responsibilities
There isn't a prize for choosing the most impressive self-care activity.
Choose something that actually helps you.
"I Don't Have Time for Self-Care"
I understand this one.
And sometimes it's absolutely true.
Some seasons of life are incredibly demanding.
But self-care doesn't necessarily require an hour at the spa or an entire afternoon to yourself.
Sometimes it takes five minutes.
Take a few deep breaths.
Step outside.
Drink a glass of water.
Stretch.
Call someone you enjoy talking to.
Sit quietly with your coffee instead of immediately reaching for your phone.
And sometimes the answer isn't finding five extra minutes.
Sometimes the answer is asking:
What can I stop doing?
Maybe you don't need to attend every event.
Maybe you don't need to respond to every message immediately.
Maybe someone else can take care of dinner tonight.
Maybe you can ask for help.
Self-care isn't always about squeezing one more thing into your schedule.
"Taking Time for Myself Feels Selfish"
This is another common objection, particularly for people who spend much of their time caring for others.
But there is a difference between selfishness and self-care.
Self-care doesn't mean your needs always come first.
It means your needs don't always come last.
You can care deeply about other people and still need time, rest, support, and space for yourself.
In fact, consistently ignoring your own needs can make it harder to show up for the people and responsibilities that matter to you.
You don't have to earn rest.
You don't have to justify every moment you spend doing something you enjoy.
And you don't have to be completely exhausted before you're "allowed" to take care of yourself.
Start With One Thing
If self-care isn't already part of your routine, don't turn it into another project.
Choose one thing.
Maybe you want to get to bed 30 minutes earlier.
Maybe you want to take a short walk after work.
Maybe you need to spend less time on your phone.
Maybe you want to make time for a hobby you've neglected.
Maybe you need to finally make that appointment.
Try it for a week.
See how it feels.
If it works, keep it.
If it doesn't, try something else.
Self-care isn't a test you can pass or fail.
It's an ongoing process of paying attention to what you need and making reasonable adjustments.
The Bottom Line
Self-care doesn't have to be elaborate.
It doesn't have to cost money.
It doesn't have to look like something you saw on Instagram.
And it doesn't have to take hours.
Sometimes self-care is doing something you enjoy.
Sometimes it's doing something you don't particularly enjoy because you know it supports your health.
Sometimes it's resting.
Sometimes it's moving.
Sometimes it's connecting with someone.
And sometimes it's setting a boundary or asking for help.
The important part is recognizing that your health and well-being deserve some attention too.
So ask yourself:
What do I need right now?
Maybe the answer is rest.
Maybe it's movement.
Maybe it's connection.
Maybe it's a little quiet.
Maybe it's help.
Whatever the answer is, listen to it.
You don't have to completely overhaul your life.
Start with one thing that supports you, and go from there.
Real World Nutrition Refreshed. As nutrition science and perspectives evolve, older blog posts are occasionally updated and republished. This post was originally written in August 2023 and has been refreshed and expanded here.
