According to PositivePsychology.com, self-care is looking after your inner and outer self. It’s doing what you need to make sure you feel healthy, happy and content every day. Self-care looks different for everyone, but there’s a common goal: to relieve the pressures of everyday life and bring us back into balance and harmony so we can be at our best. Below are some reasons why prioritizing self-care is important, and suggestions for tending to your well-being.
  • Can be relaxing, stimulating and enjoyable.
  • Improves performance.
  • Boosts inner strength.
  • Supports mind and body.
  • Maintains resilience.
  • Increases clarity and energy.
  • Can be a social activity.
  • Supports overall well-being.
Self-care can be practiced alone or by spending time with your spouse, family and friends, even by volunteering. Connecting with others is an important part of self-care. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Depending on your needs, a walk in nature, taking a few deep breaths or relaxing in a hammock can be rejuvenating.
Ideas of self-care to support the mind:
  • Mindfulness/meditation
  • Brain break
  • Positive affirmations
  • Gratitude
  • Journal
  • Breathe
  • Silence
  • Random act of kindness
  • Experience joy
  • Plan something
  • Nurture relationships
  • Spend time in nature
Ideas of self-care to support the body:
  • Physical activity
  • Move often
  • Strength training
  • Flexibility and stretching
  • Balance training
  • Hydration
  • Sleep hygiene
  • Eat healthy foods
  • Skin-care regimen
  • Preventive care
Learn more about prioritizing your self-care in this Blue Cross Virtual Well-Being℠ webinar. You can also sign up for future employer-focused and general interest webinars here, where you’ll find past sessions and resources.
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