Does self care work?

Participating in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimize frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more. Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself so that you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. Its benefits are better physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. Research suggests that self-care promotes positive health outcomes, such as building resilience, living longer, and being better equipped to manage stress.

By changing the way you think about self-care, you can make gradual and meaningful changes that bring you greater peace, energy, and joy. In doing so, you can experience for yourself what research has clearly shown: that investments in your well-being can improve your professional success. It's possible to create harmony between different parts of your life, but you may need to challenge some of your assumptions to do so. Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical and mental health.

When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in daily life can have a big impact. The pressure and uncertainty of daily life can make it difficult to develop a coherent self-care plan. A recent Birchbox survey revealed that 1 in 3 people feel guilty about taking time for themselves, but most would like to.

The physical aspect of self-care involves making lifestyle choices that help you stay fit, healthy and energized. The goal of self-care is to feel like you have more time and freedom to do things, not less, so the last thing you want is for self-care to become just another item on your endless to-do list. Even if you can't spend a lot of time and money, Gill Lopez says you can continue to practice self-care several times a week by turning the things you do every day into self-care practices. And while there are many examples of self-care that seem to walk a fine line between health-improving behavior and complacency, self-care doesn't have to be about filling your calendar with luxurious experiences or activities that cost money (although you certainly can).

And while self-care doesn't cure mental illness, understanding what causes or triggers mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help you manage your mental health. Under this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy, including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical attention when needed. So, if you're stuck in a routine, one of the best things you can do to practice self-care is to get out of that routine and change things. This summer season, prioritize your own well-being with these expert tips for taking care of yourself.

Taking care of your body emotionally, physically and mentally through the creation of joy and satisfaction is an important part of living with or without a mental health condition. At Everyday Health, self-care is about taking steps to meet your physical and emotional health needs to the best of your ability.