By taking care of oneself, an individual is better equipped to take care of his loved ones 

To love oneself is the start of a lifelong romance.: Oscar Wilde

In life, all of us often come across so much stress and anxiety that we end up overthinking and ruminating; start comparing ourselves with others; worry about the future; struggle to let go of things; isolate ourselves; repeat destructive behaviours and so much more without realising that we have caused so much suffering and pain to selves. We give so much energy to these things that what we are left with is repentance, a wastage of time and regret, all the above listed could just be avoided by taking a small step to see what’s causing turmoil and then taking one small step to help in the moment to become a little free.  

The term ‘Self-care’ is like a personal toolbox of activities and practices that are unique to every individual living on this planet. Just like people have different needs and preferences, self-care can look quite different from person to person. It’s all about finding what works best and helping an individual feel good in their skin. The key is to listen and pay attention to what makes an individual feel better and at the same time create a mix of activities that cater to individual needs. Self-care is not one size that caters to all approaches, rather it’s a journey of discovering what helps an individual become the best version of themselves. There is no denying the fact that we all live in a fast-paced world, that we often get caught in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives that we often forget who we are and what is the purpose of our living.

As aptly said by Jim Rohn,” take care of your body, it is the only place you have to live.” Taking a 5-minute for yourself can be the game changer for wellbeing. Engaging in activities such as deep breathing or mindful breathing can help reduce stress, calm the mind and increase mindfulness; stretching and quick exercises can enhance an individual’s ability to focus; Practicing gratitude can help shift focus to positive aspects and help improve the mood.

These activities don’t have to be time-consuming or elaborative rather, treating these rituals as little gifts to self can have a big impact on overall well-being. It’s a hard-core truth bomb that no individual on this planet can make time for self-care. One needs to prioritise, communicate and allocate time, otherwise, it just won’t happen. Asking for help and prioritising self-care is a sign of strength and not weakness. By taking care of oneself, an individual will be better equipped to take care of the family as well.

Nowadays, it is important to make mental health a priority. The moment when an individual thinks they don’t have time to take care of themselves is the exact moment they have to take care of themselves. Every individual deserves to feel good and prioritise their wellbeing. Surrounding yourself with energy givers and not drainers; choosing those who uplift and inspire and setting boundaries with negativity are a few steps that can be taken forward towards self-care. Remember, every season has a purpose. The unknown and unfamiliar might just be exactly what one needs.

(The writer is an educator; views are personal)