Rethink self-care!
Are you tired of hearing about self-care? Does the term make you think of a tedious waiting room brochure about taking your meds and exercising daily? Good news, self-care can be so much more, and doesn't even have to take time.
Of course, we should take exercise, sleep, medicines, and good eating habits seriously—this is well known by everyone living with a rheumatic diagnosis.
But self-care can also be an attitude, a way of thinking and approaching everything that happens in life and around you. It can be a way to take care of yourself without necessarily having to focus on performance.
The Self-Care Institute lists five interesting thoughts about self-care (1), which can help to rethink the concept:
Self-care does not have to be earned. You don't have to work hard to take care of yourself. You have the right to self-care just by existing.
Self-care can be an approach. It can be your way of talking to yourself and not making too high demands to do things perfectly. It can be about setting boundaries and not being too critical when you have a bad day, and paying attention to your feelings.
Self-care is not the opposite of work. You can practice self-care while working, by being aware of how you prioritize and use your time, by asking for help when needed, and planning realistically. Perhaps you see your work as part of your identity? To nurture that identity is to take care of yourself.
Self-care doesn't have to take time! Saying something kind to yourself or not demanding too much takes no real time. And maybe it's when the thought that you “don't have time for self-care” comes up that you need it the most.
Self-care is not just about you. Although the word itself may sound self-centered, it doesn't have to be the case at all! If you take care of yourself and feel good, it will be easier to also be a good partner, colleague, parent or friend and to have some energy left to care about the people who are important to you.
How do you take care of yourself? Is there something you can start looking at in a new way?