Importance of Self-Care
With today’s society and lifestyles, stress has become a normal, everyday occurrence. A sixteen-year-old high school student or a fifty-year-old accountant may have different lives, but they both could still experience similar amounts of stress. Although a minor level of stress can propel us to move forward and motivate us to start on a project, too much of it can have a negative effect. That is where self-care comes in. Self-care is any action done with the sole intention benefiting oneself, be it through a physical or mental means. While it seems easy in concept, it is common for many to neglect.
There are many self-care plans you can follow, numerous of which can be found online, and many are directed to specific groups of people. For example, if you have a passion for crafting, you can find a monthly layout to follow, like dedicating an hour each week to exploring various crafting techniques. There are also more physical ways to improve one’s health that can also be classified as self-care, including but not limited to taking a walk around a scenic location, visiting a spa, or visiting the gym. In addition to physical activities, there are also emotional and mental ways to participate in self-care, like meditation or yoga. You could always mix in what you enjoy with whatever plan you choose. Now, some may view self-care as a way to greedily supply their own needs–but it is critical to remember that self-care, when done properly, is not selfish. In reality, it is just another way to care for one’s body. It is a way to help improve one’s mental health and therefore, quality of life.
One importance of self-care is that it can improve one’s health. As previously mentioned, self-care can help fight stress, but it can also do much more. Physical health like cholesterol level and blood pressure is just as important, and evidence found by The European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in 2006 states that 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, and 40% of cancers could be avoided if everyday risk factors were removed. For example, a person might follow a self-care plan where he or she is to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. This can help cut down the person’s risk of a heart disease. On top of stress, emotional and mental self-care plans can also aid anxiety and other mental health problems.
Another importance of self-care that may not be as obvious is that it can reduce personal expenses. In a world with increasing health costs, a free but effective method to keep fit is necessary. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and its 2016 Health and Voluntary Workplace Benefits Survey, it was stated that 73% of healthcare consumers who are hurt by the growing health costs are looking for ways to better attend to themselves in order to avoid the higher health expenses. For these people, self-care is the way to go. In fact, tests in England conducted by the Expert Patients Programme found that self-care saves the average person over $2000 a year. It makes sense: if someone is healthy, then there is often less cause for medication, pills, or emergency doctor visits.
In the end, self-care is important because it can help combat stress. It is also statistically proven to, with the right choices made, improve one’s physical health and even one’s lifespan. Not only that, but it can cut down costs as well. However, this article is not condoning disregarding doctor visits when needed. Self-care itself can be completely free if planned correctly and it can save a person trips to the doctor and other healthcare expenses, especially in a country of growing healthcare costs. Ultimately and most importantly, it can be used to improve one’s quality of life. In the end, it might also be good to consult a physician for what works best for you.
Resources:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2016/08/10/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2/
https://schools.au.reachout.com/articles/developing-a-self-care-plan
http://www.policyreview.tv/document_stream.php?document_id=3186&conf_id=465
