Taking care of yourself helps ensure your overall health

Self-care should be a lifelong priority, says UAPB professor and human development specialist Janette Wheat.

"Self-care is one of the most important parts of a person's health, and it shouldn't be forgotten or ignored," she said. "It's important to our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Making self-care a top priority goes a long way toward making sure our health and happiness are good as a whole."

But what does self-care mean? Dr. Wheat said that self-care means putting your own needs first. When a person puts their own mental health and well-being first, they are better able to function in other parts of their lives, like at home or at the office.

She said, "Some people might worry that taking care of yourself is selfish, but that's not true." "Getting better and taking care of yourself doesn't have to hurt other people. If you work on your own inner peace, you will probably find that your relationships with family, friends, and coworkers go better.

Dr. Wheat said there are many ways to take care of yourself, and it's up to each person to figure out what works best for them.

"Self-care can be as easy as going for a walk, taking a relaxing drive, reading a good book, or putting on your favourite music," she said. "Some people might plan something fun, like getting a massage or having lunch with an old friend."

Other ways to take care of yourself can be done often and for a long time. For example, people can work on keeping healthy eating habits, working out regularly, taking care of their personal hygiene, and sleeping at the same time every night. Financial self-care includes things like paying bills on time and putting money into savings. Environmental self-care includes things like keeping the house clean and keeping track of how much time you spend on social media.

Dr. Wheat said, "Meditation is an important practise that can improve your mental and overall health if you do it regularly." "Taking a few minutes each day to quiet your mind can help you become more self-aware, learn how to deal with stress, and make you more patient and productive."

Dr. Wheat also suggests that people keep a journal to keep track of their progress and get rid of stress. Keeping a reflective journal can help someone keep track of the small steps they take every day to keep their inner peace.

She said, "Some people might want to make a list of the ways they want to take care of themselves for the rest of the year." "Remember that the list can include both simple things you do every day and planned special events. For example, starting the day with a cup of tea can help us feel calm, while going to a concert or movie once in a while can add some excitement and variety to our lives.