Now more than ever, self care has taken centre stage in our lives. Whether self care enables you to survive or thrive during quarantine, your self-care practice can no longer be put off due to associations with guilt or shame. I think that historically, we have avoided “self-care” out of an assumption that it was an extravagant and lavish way to take time for ourselves. We either felt that we could not justify the costs, or time that it would take to do.
Yet, self care isn’t necessarily a day at the spa, a day to isolate ourselves from our family, and to say “no” to everything. For some of us it might be, but on the whole, self care is a quiet process. In fact, according to Brainna Wiest (2020), “If you find yourself having to regularly indulge in consumer self care, it’s because you are disconnected from actual self-care, which has very little to do with “treating yourself” and a whole lot do with parenting yourself and making choices for your long-term wellness” (para.4)
But the importance of this practice cannot be underlined enough; so much so, that in 1998 the World Health Organization brought forth its own definition:
“Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure etc), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.) socio-economic factors (income level, cultural beliefs, etc.) and self-medication” (ISF, 2020, para.2).
Discipline and Self Care
These two concepts may seem in conflict with one another, but the benefits of self-care are only possible when we are consistent with our practice. This may be as simple as placing a timer on our phone to get ready for bed, or to arise early for a morning meditation or prayer,. Self-care can require more discipline at the onset, especially if you tend to make other people a priority in your life. Learning to take time for yourself can require a rewiring of your mindset, to first accept that it is important, and that is it permissible. Consistency in practice will eventually make it an integral part of your daily life, and discipline will give way to self awareness. You will notice the difference in your mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, environmental, and even financial health when you do sway in your self-care practice. Your state of being will be your own feedback loop in your ability and commitment to self-care.
Forms of Self-Care
Although not exhaustive, consider the following suggestions when creating your self care regime:
- Journaling
- Goal setting
- Understanding your resource capacity (time, money, energy)
- Developing boundaries, and knowing with whom you need to create boundaries
- Meditation
- Improving your diet, and taking care of your hormonal and digestive health
- Creating and sticking to a sleep regime (limiting screen time, keeping consistent sleeping hours, eating early)
About Nadiya Manji
Nadiya Manji is a sought after business leadership and emotional intelligence expert who helps clients breakthrough their personal, professional and social vulnerabilities. She works to improve self-awareness and create balanced, empowered and resilient leaders in all divisions of life and business. Nadiya has lived and practiced in three continents, where she developed a love for helping people identify and overcome their inner blocks and barriers that prevent them from reaching their human potential. Nadiya is a Transformational Master Coach, International TEDx Speaker, and Author of the self- help book titled, “Searching for Balance”. She has spent over 20 years honing her skills in science, spirituality and intuition. Now, Nadiya offers a wide range of coaching programs and services including in person coaching, corporate workshops, training sessions and on-board consultations.
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