September 2019
Where to draw the line with self care? + Tips
By: Faith Crosby
Here at UMich, a large emphasis has been put on individual self care. Michigan’s “Wellness Wheel” is showcased everywhere, making it extremely easy to access. The wheel includes 8 points: physical, emotional/mental, environmental, financial, occupational, social, intellectual, and spiritual. There are many resources available for each point of wellness provided on the Student Life website. In the consumption of this information and your own pursuit to engage in self-care, it is important to remember that there is a possibility to sabotage its meaning. The main intention for self-care is to prioritize yourself and your overall health, in order to maintain your best self. With such an abstract goal and ill-defined path to achieve it , using self-care as an excuse to participate in toxic behaviors that will not benefit your prosperity in the long run becomes very possible. For example, I used to consider staying in bed late (and I mean super late, sometimes even all day) as self-care, and in proportion, it is; but if you use staying in bed as a justification to not leave your room, you might just be contributing to a depressive state. Another example of using self-care in a destructive manner is excessive drinking after a hard week and telling yourself, “I deserve to let loose;” or in another manner, excessive unhealthy eating of “comfort foods” for the same reason. It is very important to set boundaries for yourself of what is considered self-care and what is considered toxic behavior that you are excusing with the false ideation of temporary well-being. Self-care is a practice that is supposed to increase your happiness in the long haul, never only in the short term. Below I have some of my personal favorite, non-detrimental, self-care tips:
Spa day - facial, massage, and more
Drinking more water
Journaling or bullet journaling (for those who are more creative)
Meditation (especially outdoor)
Openly discussing feelings with those you trust
Cleaning/tidying up
Reading in a peaceful setting
Prioritizing 8 Hours of SLEEP!
Balanced meals - breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and it makes a difference in your energy and mood
EXTRA: CAPS/Therapy - One thing I am vowing to try this semester is going to CAPS. I have always had a personal stigma about seeking professional help, but I think that I am ready to let go of that stigma and visit a licensed professional. I never thought that therapy was for me, but there’s no harm in seeking help, no matter where it comes from. Maybe you can try a new self-care tactic this fall as well!