Self care is more than the consumption of luxuries. It's love of self.

By Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP

Now, let’s talk about self care.
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Oh, yes, you say. Doesn’t that mean scented bubble baths? And a nice vacation at a nice hotel?

Bubble baths can be relaxing, and practically everyone enjoys a vacation at a nice hotel. However, although advertisers might try to convince us that self care is based on a product that we consume – fancy hand lotions, new clothes, imported luxuries – self care is how we demonstrate to ourselves that we are our own best friend. Self care means that we love ourselves and care for ourselves as one who is precious and lovable.

Think of it this way: if someone gifted you with a valuable and rare pearl, would you toss it into some dusty corner of your house? Likely not -- you'd gently place it in a soft jewel box and care for it as the treasure it is.

After years of working with people as a psychotherapist, life coach and teacher, I’ve made a list of six categories of self-care habits that support a well-functioning life.

The more habits of self care that we can identify and practice helps in reducing stress and increasing our resilience and ability to be present to survive stressful times. Even better, self care habits help us actually avoid much of life’s stressors if we make these actions a priority.

Take a look and notice what you already do – and what you might add to your self-care routine to bring more health, calm and satisfaction into your life.

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