8 Reasons Why Self Care Is Important
We all know the drill. Hectic lives leave little room for ‘you’ time. Still, no matter how busy you happen to be, fitting self care into your schedule isn’t a mere luxury. It’s a necessity. Taking the time to look after your own needs for once may sound selfish, but it’s actually one of the kindest things that you can do. Needless to say, there are a great many reasons that this is crucial to your lifestyle. Don’t believe me? Well, take a look at some of these reasons right here.
1. Burning out is a real risk
We all fear the dreaded burn-out, and so we should. When you feel as though you have a million things on your calendar and no time to breathe, it’s not healthy. There’s nothing worse than stretching yourself too thin and feeling as though you don’t have a spare second. While you may be under the impression that you can keep this high-powered game up, you honestly can’t. Before you know it, the intensity of your current day-to-day life will take its toll on you. What’s more, when you burn out, it’s hard to do even the smallest, most insignificant of tasks. Don’t let things go that far.
2. You can’t give what you don’t have
How many people currently rely on you? Can you count the number on your hands or do you need whip out your calculator? If you happen to be the type of person who takes on everyone else’s issues while neglecting your own, this is your wake-up call. You can’t help others before you’ve helped yourself. There’s nothing immoral about putting your needs first from time to time. Failing to do so will only mean that you struggle when it comes to supporting your friends and loved ones.
3. You deserve happiness
Happiness is possible for everyone. It’s something that you deserve to feel. If you’ve been ignoring your own feelings for far too long, it’s time to take stock and change your ways. Everything in your life from your job to your relationships will be much easier to deal with if you’re content. When you make your own self-care a priority, it really does make a huge difference to your life in general. Having some ‘you’ time is never a waste. In fact, it could be the greatest way to love yourself.
4. It boosts your mental health
Mental health is not some taboo subject that we need speak about in hushed tones. There are thousands of people out there who struggle with this issue. In the US alone, around 3.3 million adults struggle with persistent depressive disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. While, of course, no one’s trying to claim that self-care is the magical answer, it could help improve your mental standing. Looking after yourself and paying attention to your mental needs can help you live a happier life.
Related Post: 15 Ideas For Quality “Me Time” That Will Leave You Feeling Refreshed
5. Your health demands it
Now that we’ve covered mental health, we should probably talk about the other benefit of self-care. There’s no doubt that there’s a link between your mental well-being and your physical health. When you put too much pressure on yourself or have a burn-out, it can quickly affect your levels of health. It’s not worth it. Nothing is. Making some time for yourself and ensuring that you have all you need will mean that you may be less likely to become ill or, indeed, under the weather.
6. It helps you focus
Should you ever feel as though you lack focus, this one’s for you. You need a break. Trying to take on more than you can handle and not allowing yourself to relax now and then is no way to live. You can never work to your highest level and be at your most productive when you’ve not stopped. Recharging and, ever-so-importantly, relaxing will help you regain your focus once again. In essence, you may find that you become even more productive and focussed by giving yourself this small time-out.
7. We all need to de-stress
Stress. We all have it but few of us like to talk about it. Of course, there are small levels of stress with which most of us can cope. You can mentally deal with them and move on. However, when all these little things start to add up, they can fast become a rather major problem. Allowing yourself to de-stress and take a load off now and then could be all it takes to make you feel lighter and happier. Don’t overlook this part of your lifestyle or you will surely regret it.
8. You are worth it
Honestly, the most important reason that you need to practice self-care is because you are worth it. Don’t ever for a minute think that you’re not. No matter who you are, what you do, or where you live, you are an important and valuable person. When you overlook that fact, you could quickly make some rather poor choices. Don’t let neglecting your own needs be one of them. From time to time, remind yourself that you deserve self-care and self-love. Because, frankly my dear, it’s true.
Sadly, many of us don’t realize just how important this act is. If you’ve been ignoring your needs until now, it’s time to make a positive change. Don’t bother waiting until the new year — go ahead and do it now. Start making self-care a priority in your life.
