September is Self–Care Awareness Month, a time to remind us that taking care of ourselves is essential. Self-care is often neglected in our everyday lives. We tend to put others’ needs before our own, and it is crucial to remember that we cannot fill another cup from our empty vessel.
Self-care is about paying attention to your feelings and making choices—and sometimes sacrifices—for the sake of your mental and physical health. It is about finding what works for you to feel refreshed physically and emotionally.
Here are eight simple self-care practices that will help you prioritize your well-being. They can be done every day and take 5 minutes or less.
- Practice mindfulness. Nothing complicated, no special posture, mat or chair required. Just focus on one thing at a time. When drinking coffee, just drink coffee.
- Hydrate. Take sips of water throughout the day.
- Dance. Turn on your favorite song and dance like no one is watching.
- Listen to a song. Pick one of your favorite songs that brings back fond memories.
- Walk. Go for a short walk around the block or a long hike in the woods.
- Color. Crayons are not just for kids. Get yourself a small pack and some coloring sheets, and color away – within or outside the lines.
- Take deep breaths. Draw a square. Start at the bottom right of the square. Breathe in for four counts as you trace the first side of the square. Hold your breath for four counts as you trace the second side of the square. Breathe out for four counts as you trace the third side of the square. Hold your breath for four counts as you trace the final side of the square. You just completed one deep breath!
- Connect. Call a friend, a colleague, a relative, or a neighbor just to say hi and ask how they are doing.
Connie Sun, clinical director of Pacific Clinics’ La Via Wellness and Recovery Los Angeles, says, “Self-care can look very different from person to person, but at the foundation, it’s about building mindfulness and awareness of one’s needs. We weave in sensory and mindfulness activities throughout our groups to teach our clients to pause and recenter themselves throughout the day. Over time, those small changes add up to make a big difference.”
Pacific Clinics offers wellness centers in the Los Angeles/South Coast and Inland Empire Regions. These wellness centers are part of the recovery journey and provide a safe space for group or individual activities, such as playing musical instruments, employment support, peer support and much more.
