The Kharisma Magazine The Kharisma Magazine (Full) Premiere Issue | Page 252
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Giving Yourself the
Gift of Self-Care
ou may or may not be aware that the concept
WRITTEN BY COLLEEN ELLIOTT
of self-care originated in the healthcare field. It is traditionally
defined as “any intentional actions you take to care for your
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2. Think daily, weekly, and monthly
self-care needs.
To break the habit of thinking of self-care as an ‘only when
physical, mental, and emotional health.” In essence, it is at the needed’ thing, I advise considering your daily, weekly, and
opposite end of the spectrum from being taken care of by others, monthly needs for self care. Daily self-care might look like prayer,
and puts the responsibility directly on us to take care of our own journaling, stretching and movement, going to bed on time, or
needs. Self-care is understanding and meeting your own needs, eating well. Weekly self-care might look like attending a spiritual
prefaced by knowledge of self and giving yourself permission to celebration, going to therapy or a support group, spending time
take care of yourself. with family or friends, buying yourself some flowers, sleeping in
on your day off, or cooking yourself a wonderful meal. Self-care
Women who prioritize self-care cope better with daily stressors, on a monthly basis might look like a massage or visit to a spa, a
are less on edge, more in-tune with their thoughts, emotions, day spent in silence, a detox, reading a book, or de-cluttering
and body, and have a balanced perspective on life. They your space.
understand that everything is not in their control and that they
cannot control others; only how they themselves show up. They
see self-care as a precursor to being able to effectively serve
3.
Schedule your self-care.
According to Parkinson’s Law, “Work expands so as to fill the
others and maintain healthy relationships, not simply another time available for its completion.” So if we do not give ourselves
‘good’ thing to do. They know that the only thing that truly stands permission and time to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits,
between them and doing self-care is a decision. naturally all the other things on our to-do lists will simply fill
that space. You may not have one hour every day to exercise, so
Part of the reason self-care is not valued is because we have been commit to a shorter period of time daily and do a longer session
taught to rely on external factors such as our achievements in when you have more time. We often stop ourselves before we
business, finance, relationships, career, family, education, etc. start because we make too big of a commitment. Break your self-
to feel good about ourselves. But when we are over-reliant on care activities into bite-size chunks so they can be easily fit into
external success, we run the risk of over-doing and over-giving your day.
to feel a sense of satisfaction and ultimately end up in burnout.
It’s only when we reach burnout, overcome with stress, illness,
or exhaustion, that we are encouraged to ‘ramp up’ the self-
care. However, if we proactively practice self-care, we develop
the ability to live our best, healthiest lives despite the challenges
we will face.
care into your life:
1. Take a holistic approach to self care.
Self-care involves mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual
health. Many of us are aware of the physical and emotional
needs but often neglect spiritual and mental needs. It is easy to
overlook negative thoughts that begin creeping in until we begin
to feel despair. Begin to think of your self-care as more than your
feelings and your body.
T H E
I N S I D E
other activities.
Who said self-care has to be done alone! Make a date with
someone special - a family member or friend - to do self-care
together. For example, take in a movie, take an exercise class
Here are some tips for easily and successfully integrating self-
F R O M
4. Combine your self-care with
O U T
together, enjoy a healthy meal, or go dancing. Keep in mind,
self-care does not always have to be an activity. It can also mean
just taking time to be and do nothing! The key is to tune in and
understand what you need at any given time to be your best.
When done proactively, self-care is an empowered, intentional
action that you will profit from exponentially. Self-care is not a
luxury but a necessity. To live your best life and have the energy
to have a positive impact on the lives of others, you must make
self-care a priority. A woman who takes her self-care seriously
exudes self-worth and is an icon of self-possession.
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