July 24th marks International Self Care Day as an annual opportunity to focus on self-care and the benefits self-care can bring.

Image Credit: Canadian Mental Health Association

The term self-care has become popular in recent years, but what does it really mean? Simply put, self-care taking the time to do things that help your wellbeing and improve both your physical and mental health.

When it comes to self-care, it is not a one-size fits all approach; it’s a personal journey of discovery to find what works best for you. To discover what works best for you, it may be helpful to look at the seven pillars of self-care.

Seven Pillars of Self Care

Mental: nurturing your mind and mental well-being through activities like meditation, mindfulness, and stress management.

Emotional: understanding and managing your emotions by practicing self-compassion, seeking out support and finding activities that bring you joy.

Physical: take care of your body through exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and good hygiene.

Environmental: focuses on creating a positive and supportive environment.

Spiritual: connecting with your inner self and personal values to find meaning and purpose in life. Meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and walking in nature are common spiritual self-care practices.

Recreational: participating in activities that you enjoy and help you relax and recharge.

Social: involves spending time with loved ones, social activities and creating supportive networks.

Tips for Incorporating Self Care

1. What are your needs? Think about what brings you joy and relaxation and what situations cause you stress.
2. Schedule self-care. Make specific time for self-care, just as you would with appointments or other important tasks.
3. Be patient and kind with yourself. Creating new habits can be challenging. Remind yourself that self-care is a journey and it’s okay to try different things.
4. Monitor your progress and adjust as needed. It’s important to take time to reflect about what is working well, what challenges are you facing, what else can you try?
5. Seek help when you need it. Reaching out for professional help or support can be helpful, especially if you are struggling with mental or emotional challenges.

In Class Well-Being Workshops for Students

The Campus Well-Being department offers various workshops to help students manage their mental health and well-being. Equip your students with the Self-Care resources they need by booking a workshop with the Campus Mental Health Specialist!

Image Credit: Scottsdale Recovery Centre

Sources

• National Institute of Mental Health – Caring for your Mental Health
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Verywell Mind
• World Health Organization