Title: What Is Self-Care and Why Is It Critical for Your Health? | Everyday Health
Headings: What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important for Your Health?
What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important for Your Health?
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Content: “When self-care is regularly practiced, the benefits are broad and have even been linked to positive health outcomes such as reduced stress, improved immune system, increased productivity, and higher self-esteem,” says Brighid Courtney, of Boston, a client leader at the wellness technology company Wellable and a faculty member at the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA). RELATED: 9 Essential Skills That Will Make You More Resilient
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Types of Self-Care
“It could be anything that floats your boat — anything that puts a smile on your face,” Dr. Gill Lopez says. “ Anything that makes you feel cared for, even if it's you caring for yourself.” There are a few different categories of self-care: Emotional self-care, such as self-talk, weekly bubble baths, saying “no” to things that cause unnecessary stress, giving yourself permission to take a pause, or setting up a weekly coffee date with a friend
Physical self-care, such as prioritizing sleep, adopting an exercise routine you can stick with, choosing healthy and nourishing foods over highly processed ones
Spiritual self-care, such as attending a religious service, spending time in nature, meditating, incorporating regular acts of kindness into your day, or keeping a gratitude journal
Additionally, Gill Lopez puts self-care into two further categories: temporary and enduring. An example of temporary self-care is going to dinner with a friend. You’ll benefit from the social connection, but it won’t last for very long after you part ways. Enduring self-care, on the other hand, has more permanent effects.