How can you give what you do not have? If you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to look favorably on others and exude positive energy. It becomes quite challenging to see the good in others when overwhelmed by negative thoughts, if you are highly self-critical or feel self-loathing. Of course, there are countless moments when we provide for others much more than what we give to ourselves. But over time that becomes unsustainable, even with our best intentions. Ultimately, the energy we put out in the world boomerangs back to us throughout the course of our life.
Self-care and self-love are the foundations for healthy relationships and the fertile ground to foster empowered communities. Contrary to what society teaches us at times, there is nothing selfish or self-centered about putting your needs before others, especially when you are a caretaker. You cannot provide for another individual well if you do not have the energy and inner strength to care for yourself, certainly not in the long run.
People who make self-care a priority are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. The positive outlook that comes with a healthy sense of self, what I refer to as self-love, leads to greater confidence in one’s abilities. These are tools for success and overall wellbeing in life that allows for happiness to flourish despite the challenges we face.
Self-care allows you to be more focused and productive at work, and to generate the necessary energy to create a stable home life when less stressed and overwhelmed by internal struggles. With self-love comes compassion. Compassion to allow ourselves a pass when we do not meet our own expectations, in order to check overly self-critical negativity. And most importantly, compassion for others to grow healthy relationships in all arenas of life. These are the foundations to foster a strong community that supports you. Ketamine Health Centers is your community partner, here to help you create a space to foster that all-important mode of self-care.
These simple, but important activities are part of self-care and help us establish self-love:
- Cultivate sustaining energy by doing something you love, perhaps something simple that you can do daily, or give yourself more ‘me time’ at least once a week
- Eat a balanced diet to help sustain your energy, and treat yourself to something you really enjoy every now and again
- Move to music and energize your body: A brisk walk is the best form of exercise, take a friend along with you
- Share laughter as often as you can, it’s one of nature’s healing remedies
- Reflect through journaling and recount your blessings
- Sit quietly with the sounds of nature, or the sound of silence, and let the peacefulness set in and rejuvenate
- Give back to those in need in your neighborhood, through your place of worship or with an organization of choice: Altruism is another wonder drug
- Be kind to yourself – Failure is the best teacher if we allow ourselves to learn from our mistakes
- Smile or give a nod to everyone you encounter, that energy carries you and those around you quite far
- Listen to your needs and do your best to fulfill them, but check your wants against what others need first to build community through compassion
