When I was in grad school, I swear they would shove the importance of self-care down our throats. At the time, I did not understand why they would ask us to share in every class what we did to fill our cups or care for ourselves that day/week. Now, two years later, I get it. I think it’s really easy when life gets tough, or when something out of the blue happens and the first thing that takes a back seat is our own health and self-care.
I am not talking about self-care in the sense of putting on a hair mask or getting my nails down every three weeks- which I do, but I am talking more of the little and sometimes what you would call basic things. It’s going deeper and the purpose behind the act of self-care.
Hobbies
There are a handful of hobbies that I enjoy and do just because I want to and not because I want to make it into a business. I believe it’s important that we explore, be curious, and try new things out as humans. I do think we have lost the art of hobbies because we live in a time where hobbies are being turned into business instead of letting it be and enjoying doing something simply because it brings us joy.
Two of my favorite hobbies are journaling and pickleball. I have been journaling every single day for the last four years- started the year of covid ironically. It is one of the best hobbies I have picked up because it brings me so much contentment and peace. It allows me to express my thoughts and feelings without judgment, without a filter, and allows me to reflect and process the day. Pickleball is fairly new to me but it’s so much fun! I love playing weekly with my cousins, one because it’s easy to learn but also a great way to spend time outside and get movement in.
Limiting screen time
This a work in progress for me- because hello Instagram reels and YouTube. I keep myself accountable by having the screen time app on my phone’s front page, which lets me know how much time I am spending on social media or any other apps. I try to limit myself to two hours in total on Instagram. I don’t have Tic Tock, which in hindsight is probably a good thing because it’s probably more addictive than Instagram. Substituting that desire to get online helps– I know I can read a book, journal, go play pickleball, make a snack, etc.
Scheduling Health Appointments
I am not the biggest fan of going to the doctor- this probably stems from not knowing what to expect. I know that I am relatively healthy, and for years I’ve been getting the same results from my doctor, however every year like clockwork my annual doctor’s appointment brings a round of anxiety. I assume that I am going to get bad news- which I know is not a good way to look at these appointments but half the battle is getting there. Once I am there, I know I am good. I always make the next appointment before I leave the office. Once it’s on the calendar, it’s on the calendar.
Going to the eye doctor and dentist doesn’t bring about the same amount of anxiety, maybe because I like getting my teeth cleaned and the eye appointment is fairly straightforward. Who knows, but I do like to schedule all of my health appointments in the first quarter of the year to check them off my yearly to-do list.
Sunshine
This is a little personal because last year when I got my blood work done- my doctor told me that I was low on Vitamin D. I remember staring at him, like what do you mean it’s low? I live in Texas, where the sun never sets and it’s always above 90 degrees every day. He prescribed a vitamin D pill for the next 6 months and told me to start going outside more. I didn’t realize that I was spending so much time inside, but I was and didn’t pick up on it until this appointment. At that time, I was obsessed with my former job, to the point I had no life outside of work. I was working indoors, with no windows, for up to ten hours a day. It wreaked havoc on my body let alone my mental health. I was seasonally depressed, and not having enough vitamin D did not help.
I started sitting outside on the patio for ten minutes. I started small and always in the morning because the midday heat here in Texas is no joke. During summer, it’s easier for me to plan things outdoors- bicycling outside, playing pickleball or volleyball, and going for a walk with my sister.
Movement
I work three days in the hospital now, and being one of only two social workers on the weekends means I help cover most of the hospital – so I get my steps in. I don’t believe that you have to be during a full-fledged workout to consider that “movement”, anything counts- walking your dog, bicycling around the neighborhood, going up and down the stairs in your home. I work out on my days off because I like going to the gym classes and sitting in the sauna afterward. I am sure there are thousands of articles telling us why it’s good to get movement in but, I don’t need to read them to know my body is better when I am not sitting on my butt for hours on end.
Personal Grooming
This is going to sound in vain, but if my nails, hair, and skin aren’t glowing then I don’t feel like myself. I know what my baseline is for feeling good grooming-wise and that’s making sure my nails are done every 2.5 weeks, I wash and style my hair every week on Thursday and my skin is moisturized and glowing. I know myself and know that on the days when I don’t feel 100% or overwhelmed, I can get in the shower, wash my hair, style it, and do a full skincare routine and I will feel better. For some, this may look like always having shaved legs or wearing massacre every day. It’s whatever makes you feel good.