Do you know what self-care is? I think of it as taking time out from chores and demands to slow down and help your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. This can be getting a massage, getting your nails done, reading a book, napping, whatever you need to do that will help get you in a better state of mind and eliminate stress. Lots of sleep, water, a warm bath, and gentle exercise are examples of self-care too.
Without taking time out to slow down and relax, you might experience anxiety, depression, adrenal fatigue. Stress is related to many chronic diseases. Carving out time for self-care should be a priority. According to WebMD:
Here, the Mayo Clinic sheds more light on stress:
Some of my favorite self-care activities involve herbal teas, lighting candles, reading, snuggling with my dogs and taking walks. When I get the chance to take photos, I am at my happiest! That is my number one way to rest and allow my mind to wander as I enjoy being outside and photographing plants and flowers.
Here are more ideas, find what you love to do that will nourish your soul and make time to do these activities.
Without taking time out to slow down and relax, you might experience anxiety, depression, adrenal fatigue. Stress is related to many chronic diseases. Carving out time for self-care should be a priority. According to WebMD:
“Stress doesn’t only make us feel awful emotionally,” says Jay Winner, MD, author of Take the Stress Out of Your Life and director of the Stress Management Program for Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, Calif. “It can also exacerbate just about any health condition you can think of.” Studies have found many health problems related to stress. Stress seems to worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma.And this article, from Healthline talks about more stress-related health issues:
“Prolonged stress puts your body in a continuous state readiness for physical action. When your body has no time to re-establish equilibrium, it becomes overworked and your immune system weakens, making you susceptible to sickness. Many essential bodily processes are disrupted and your risk of health problems increases.” Some common effects include:
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memory impairment
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depression
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skin conditions, such as eczema
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difficulty sleeping
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obesity
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heart disease
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digestive problems
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autoimmune diseases
Here, the Mayo Clinic sheds more light on stress:
Common effects of stress on your body
- Headache
- Muscle tension or pain
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Change in sex drive
- Stomach upset
- Sleep problems
Common effects of stress on your mood
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Lack of motivation or focus
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Irritability or anger
- Sadness or depression
Common effects of stress on your behavior
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Overeating or under-eating
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Angry outbursts
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Drug or alcohol abuse
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Tobacco use
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Social withdrawal
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Exercising less often
Some of my favorite self-care activities involve herbal teas, lighting candles, reading, snuggling with my dogs and taking walks. When I get the chance to take photos, I am at my happiest! That is my number one way to rest and allow my mind to wander as I enjoy being outside and photographing plants and flowers.
Here are more ideas, find what you love to do that will nourish your soul and make time to do these activities.
