September Is Self Care Awareness Month

"Self Care" has really become a key term in today's society, unfortunately misappropriated with the idea of a spa-day, manis and pedis, or a hair appointment. God forbid a Man try to come up with a self-care activity and be seen as weak or feminine.

Let's get real folks. Self Care is for Everyone.

What exactly is self-care?

The World Health Organization has defined self-care as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.”

In honor of self-care awareness month in September, I took a poll of some of my clients, colleagues, friends and family members to find out their thoughts on self-care. What does Self-Care mean to them? What are their self-care patterns or activities? What are some barriers to self-care?

The answer to that last question was a resounding one with a common theme: "Not enough time?" This did not surprise me but it did concern me. If you found a lump on your breast would there not be enough time to have it looked at? If your pipe was leaking under the bathroom faucet would you find the time to call the plumber? Well of course! So why, then, do we feel like self-care for our mental health can be postponed for a later time?

It shouldn't be. Not only should it not be postponed but I believe it should be prioritized. These are my top five favorite ways to prioritize self-care, and a full month guide for daily self-care practice.

LEARN HOW TO SAY "NO"

JOURNAL YOUR SHORT-TERM GOALS

CREATE A ROUTINE - AND STICK TO IT

CHOOSE YOUR COMPANY WISELY

SCHEDULE DOWNTIME