Why Self-care is Important
Self-care is important. But the questions are, what does it actually mean? And why is it so vital especially during times like this, during the pandemic?
When you will look up in google what the word “self-care” means, its dictionary definition will tell you that it is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. Moreover, Harvard Medical Schools has defined it just about the same, expounding it a little more, stating that it means “paying attention to and supporting one’s own physical and mental health.”
It’s as simple as that. So what makes ourselves important especially in our current situation?
Why Self-care is Important
A clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School has provided an analogy concerning self-care a few years ago, using the safety spiel a flight attendant usually gives when passengers aboard a plane. And that’s how she brilliantly explained why self-care is important.
“When they get to the part about the oxygen masks, the first thing they tell you is: “If you’re traveling with children or others who need assistance, put your oxygen mask on first.” Let’s say you don’t do that and you fall unconscious due to lack of oxygen, then no one gets the help they need. Lose/lose situation there. It’s the same deal in everyday life. When we don’t take care of ourselves, no one wins.”
– Monique Tello, MD, MPH from Harvard Medical School
It is important to care for our own well-being, this is since, the better we feel, the better we function, thus the more we can do for the people we care about.
Although a lot is going on right now, let us not forget to take care of ourselves not just for our sake but also for the sake of everyone who cares for us and we care about. And since the healthcare providers and other frontliners are among the people who often put the well-being of others above themselves especially during this pandemic, may this become a reminder for them to take care of themselves as well.
Among the things that we can do during stressful times like this is to be physically active, eat well, ease your stress and calm your mind, sleep well, and find ways to connect socially.
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Source: Harvard Medical School| Harvard Health Publishing| 2017, Harvard Medical School| Harvard Health Publishing| 2020
Related: Ways You can Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic, How to Boost Your Immune System while Staying at Home
How do you feel about this?
