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Growing up, the goal was to finish university, get a good job, earn good money, and probably become the next Mark Zuckerberg or, better yet, Elon Musk. Traveling to space and living a luxurious life. But if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

The goal is still the same, but the means—I can’t say so much. Things are so expensive, and to get to that level of living, one has to work hard and even work multiple jobs. With all these issues, self-care is often overlooked. “What is my business with self-care when my bank account is not balling?”

If you asked that question, my answer is simple: when will the long hours at work and side hustle pay when you are not prioritizing yourself?

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We are in a generation where there are double chances of being replaced rather than being hired. What this means is that even if you fall sick or are incapacitated, your business will continue and your colleagues will move on. We have seen numerous cases like this in our society.

Why? Because self-care is underrated. We easily forget that you cannot give what you do not have. Nemo dat quod non habet. You are more productive when your mind and body are nourished. Nourishing your mind and body means nurturing them.  And to do this properly, you must understand self-care.

What then is self-care?

Self-care is more than slicing lemon and other herbs in a cup with hot water, wearing a tummy belt, or even visiting the gym twice a week. The list is exhaustive, as we have so many beauty tips here and there that may or may not be sustainable. As numerous as these tips are, some fail to cover mind and body wellness.

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In essence, self-care is a continuous and intentional practice of nourishing the mind, body, and soul of an individual. It entails the overall importance of prioritizing and maintaining good physical and mental health through positive activities that rejuvenate and restore vitality to tackle life challenges. 

Gaining knowledge about a thing is one thing, and implementing what you know is another. The mind is willing, but the body is weak, is a popular excuse people give. But I am here to tell you that all that will be a thing of the past. I am no prophet, but following these self-care tips and mindfulness techniques will ensure that your self-care game is on point.

  1. Regular medical checkups: whether it’s a small headache or a slight pain in your abdomen, consulting a medical practitioner for help is far better than ignoring it. Prevention, they say, is better than cure, so avoid being a “team; I’ll sleep over it.”
  2. Prioritize your mental health: mental health issues especially depression has become a global pandemic in recent time. Protect your mental health by creating healthy boundaries, be it at your place of worship, workplace, or with family and friends. Learn to speak up when you are burdened. It’s not a taboo to consult a mental health expert. We are all humans and imperfect.
  3. Learn to say “NO”: As simple as the word “NO” is, many find it difficult to say, even to their detriment. The inability to politely say no has put many in a fix. Having a mindfulness technique where you do not accept more than you can accommodate will prevent a mental breakdown.
  4. Develop healthy practices: you are what you eat. I know your thoughts; fast food is easier and quicker to prepare, and so are the negative side effects. A danger to your health.  Avoid eating food with empty calories; rather, substitute food rich in nutrients while engaging in exercises to stay active.
  5. Employ stress management techniques; stress can be managed if avoided. But can we avoid stress?  At one point or another, we encounter stress. So why not alter it? Change the situation to suit you if you can.  Accept it; what you cannot change, you accept, learn, and move on. And finally, adapt, adjust, and take the positives. Think about this technique when you have a stressful day.
  6. Laugh more: as funny as this sounds, laughing often is a self-care tip; after all, laughter, they say, is the best medicine. According to Heidi Hanna, founder of Synergy Brain Fitness, “it can help reduce inflammation and stress hormones. Improve circulation and enhance the immune system.”
  7. Learn to be grateful; gratitude is often underrated yet a big player in self-care. When you are ungrateful, you worry over failure, and worrying over failure equals stress.

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Implementing these self-care tips will definitely have positive effects on your general well-being, and before you say there are other important things in life that require your focus, there are a thousand and one reasons why self-care is important.

When you intentionally engage in self-care routines, you are the first person to feel the difference. For example, at the beginning of a new exercise routine, your body feels the pain, but over time, it becomes the norm, and you begin to appreciate “the new you.”. New resistance, a new body, and new confidence. Little wonder when people start gymming, they flaunt it all over the internet. This also applies to beauty tips and a healthy diet. When your skin glows, you want the world to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation, and when you eat healthy, you are in great health, fit, and ready to jump on any challenge.

 In essence, adhering to self-care tips boosts confidence. Aside from your confidence, people around you also benefit. When you are the best version of yourself, it boosts your productivity, friendships, and relationships.

Ultimately, the goal of maintaining a good self-care routine is to ensure that we intentionally impact our lives and live them long, healthy, and fulfilled. Be determined today to turn your words into actions. Actions become habits, habits become character, and character becomes your destiny.

I leave you with a piece of advice: Practice!

The Importance of Self-Care - Aishasavvy

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