“Is self care really that important?”
co-authored by: Alice Chiang and Esther Jin
illustration by: AlissaLevy
Self-care is a word that we often hear in our daily lives, but what does it actually mean? A definition that resonates with me is this :“Self-care means doing things that make you feel good: mind, body, and soul”- Robyn Conle Downs. As you can see, the definition is very broad: it offers us space to reflect on what things makes US happy. Since it is an individual preference, it can look very different for different people. Some might prefer a day out with friends while others might prefer watching anime or drawing illustrations alone. Your job is to find out what these “rechargers” are for you. To do so I encourage you to take note on the next occasion where you’re enjoying yourself and see if it works as a self-care activity!
The reason I am writing on this topic today is because I realized that many people often forget to prioritize themselves. Humans can be selfless in this sense: allowing external factors like work, social life, and academics to wear us out. Reaching a burnout stage is likely to cause lack of motivation, joy, and productivity, so it is important to take mental breaks before that happens.
Here are a few signs that you might be needing a bit of self-care:
1. you are easily irritated: when our stress levels are high, our temper can get extremely short, so if you find yourself getting angry without knowing why, it might be time for you to recharge with a fun activity!
2. you feel tired: feeling sleepy and drowsy is our body’s way of letting us know that we need a break. If you are feeling this way, listen to your body.
3. you don’t enjoy anything you do: if you feel unmotivated or even despise the things that usually make you happy, it might be a sign that you’re feeling overwhelmed
4. you have trouble sleeping well even if you’re tired: when we are under high levels of stress, the hormones in our body makes it hard for our mind to relax. So, if you’re tired but can’t sleep well, it might be a good idea to relax your mind with a simple self-care activity
I would like to end this article by saying that our life can only get better if we are better so allow yourself to listen to your body’s needs and make time for relaxation and replenishment! You will be able to walk further and go longer with proper rest and care 😊
