International Self-Care Day 2024

Why bother with self-care? Before reading on, take a look at the International Self-Care Day post that my colleague, Amanda Jacobson, wrote in 2022! If you’ve done that or aren’t convinced of the value of self-care, read on here:

I imagine if you’ve been reading the MMHMs for very long, are around your coworkers in the breakroom or with friends in the community that you’ve heard about self-care and ways to be kind to yourself in the day-to-day. But what are the benefits of doing self-care—what’s the point?

Below are a few benefits you can glean from self-care. Whether you use Amanda’s article to make these connections or take time to see how doing kind things for yourself can make a positive impact remember that self-care can:

• Improve your physical health: making time for your body whether getting an adequate amount of sleep, eating food that is nutritious for your body, hydrating with healthy fluids or athletically moving your body are great ways to take care of your physiological well-being. The body you inhabit can greatly benefit from intentional choices as a means to prolong your ability to do the things you enjoy! 

• Reduce stress: making positive choices in your life that serve your mental or spiritual well-being can aid in improving concentration. These positive stress reducing choices can also help with setting intentions that allow your day to feel organized and prepared. And reducing stress can foster practices to develop overall peace of mind. This can be done through utilizing faith, religion or mindfulness practices. If you aren’t sure what practices would be a good fit for you, consult your therapist, religious practitioner or spiritual ally. 

• Elevate your mood: when we make time to implement activities like gratitude, positivity and generosity in our own lives and in the lives of others, effective self-care can develop. Of course, the risk of toxic positivity is possible. To prevent this, remember to assess in the moment if this type of action would be meaningful or harmful.

• Develop deeper relationships: whether we use texting, in-person hangouts or video chatting, relating to our supports can help us feel more whole which in turn can further develop the ability to be caring to ourselves. An adage I subscribe to is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Although this can be difficult when we are down or stressed, the value of fostering connection can certainly improve how we view/feel/experience ourselves.

Try these practices this week and let your therapist know what you think about them. Remember fostering self-care takes time and effort. With a little regular practice and support, you can grow and flourish through these small and intentional acts.

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Lou Lim, LMHC, REAT is a licensed mental health counselor and registered expressive arts therapist (REAT) with a master's degree in Expressive Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. He is a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and on the committee for REAT credentialing. He has 13 years of experience in counseling and expressive therapy working with children, adolescents, teenagers, adults, and retirees.

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