by Tanya Kowalenko, Educator and Kids on the Block Coordinator
Everyone’s talking about ‘self-care’ these days. But, what is ‘self-care’ anyway, and how do we go about doing it?
While there are many definitions of self-care, this one, written by Counselling Psychologist Raphailia Michael keeps it simple, “Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.”1
Self-care isn’t all or nothing. As C.M.H.A. Ontario says, “Self-care means taking small steps to live a healthy lifestyle every day.”2
To add to this, self-care is about honouring ourselves and our needs, and becoming aware of the things that support our well-being and make us feel good, and those that don’t. It’s also about acknowledging when we need support and asking for help.
Okay, so now that we know generally what self-care means, how does that translate into practical activities?
While some practices are generally supportive for most people, such as getting a good night’s sleep, drinking enough water and exercise, many self-care practices are less ‘one size fits all’ than that. What feels supportive for one person, for example, may not work for someone else.
Creating your own Wellness Toolbox means compiling a list of self-care practices that work specifically for you. These are things that are enjoyable and that you can do when you are starting to feel unwell. They are things that you know will help you feel better. Intention is key when doing self-care practices. In order for them to be meaningful and of maximum benefit, they need to be done with the intention to maintain or improve your wellness. It’s as simple as saying to yourself, ‘I’m doing this for my well-being.’
Of course, some will work better for certain situations than others, which is why having a bunch of tools in your toolbox is valuable. We also know that doing a combination of self-care practices is better than doing only one and that it’s important to do them when you’re feeling well, not just in times of distress. When they’re done regularly, they’ll be easier to do when you’re having a hard time.