What Is Self-Care and Why Is It Important?
Self-care is the practice of taking care of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life to promote health and wellness.
While many people may view self-care as a form of selfish indulgence, the act of caring for oneself is an important part of a person’s overall well-being.
Many people do not fully understand what self-care means. Read on to find out more about what self-care is, examples of practicing self-care, and why it’s important for your mental and physical health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is being able to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.1
The WHO also mentions that self-care is a broad term and many facets of a person’s life come into play, including:
- Hygiene (general and personal)
- Nutrition
- Lifestyle factors such as exercise level and leisure activities
- Environmental factors such as a person’s living conditions or social habits
- Socioeconomic factors such as a person’s income level or cultural beliefs
- Self-medication and following treatment plans for current illnesses
The main goal of self-care is to prevent or control disease and preserve overall well-being through consistently taking care of various aspects of your health.
For a person to practice true self-care, they must use personal responsibility and self-reliance in a way that positively impacts their health in the current moment and the future.