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Defining Self-Care and its Importance

Defining self-care and its importance is not easy because it’s looks different to everyone. However, we know it is the opposite of self-sabotage or self-control. To successfully achieve self-care, you must have a personalized self-care plan. It’s through self-analysis and establishing a structured plan that you’re going to be able to properly care for your core being.

Self-care isn’t just about the little daily activities like brushing your teeth or combing your hair. True self-care is for the deeper needs within you. Bio-individual self-care is caring for your soul, your deepest self, and your very being.

Girl sitting outdoors doing front yard yoga/meditation.  Defining self-care and its importance with front yard yoga/meditation.
Defining Self-Care and its importance with front yard yoga/meditation! I give my body permission to relax.

Building a Solid Self-Care Plan

Defining self-care and its importance reminds you of what you want to accomplish. After all, you have personal goals, core values, and a deep purpose in your life. This plan reminds you about what you need to do and focus on to take care of you. Using a day planner or making notes to yourself can remind you of your goals and the things you need to do to take care of your body, mind, and soul. One is not more important than the other!

• Your self-care plan gives you a solid foundation for what you want to do and how you can accomplish it.

Inspirational Quotes for Creating Self-Care Success

You should also provide yourself with inspirational quotes and affirmations. Surrounding yourself with these reminders is the spiritual food that keeps you focused on your own personal well-being. Not only do you have the reminders of what to do, but you also have little pieces of inspiration around you to remind you of why you are trying so hard.

Picture of a self-written quote that inspires the author. Quotes help inspire you to define and stay on track with your self-care practice.  "My habits heal me. My thoughts soothe me. My actions define me. I am health. I am peace. I am power. I deserve the life God designed me to live.
Quotes help inspire you to define and stay on track with your self-care practice. Self-written quotes may hold more meaning.

Motivational Pictures to Improve Self-Care Outcomes

In addition to inspirational quotes, you can hang motivating pictures throughout your home and office. These pictures may be of exotic places you’d like to visit someday, or tranquil images of nature.

Your pictures may be something that you want to attract into your life or may remind you of a positive memory from your past. You can also have a photo of your family to remind you of what’s important to you.

• Your self-care plan should inspire you and remind you of why you want to take care of your body, mind, and spirit.

Various personal pictures of family and meaningful amulets pictured. Personal pictures and amulets can remind you to define and stay the course of your self-care goals.
Personal pictures and amulets remind you to define and stay the course of your self-care goals.

Tracking Your Progress Provides Evidence of Self-Care Success

Another aspect of your self-care plan is tracking your progress. Let’s say you have a hard time getting motivated to exercise. By keeping a log of your exercise time, you can keep yourself focused on achieving a healthier you.

A food journal is also a good way to track your food choices so you can remind yourself that you need to eat nutritious foods. In addition, you can use a journal to record your mental and emotional health. Write down what’s going on inside of you so you can evaluate your feelings and proactively take care of your mental health.

• Your self-care plan tracks your progress to help you stay on track toward your goals.

Picture of a cat lifting its leg and cleaning itself on a page that says "goals". Your self-care goal may not be the same as the one this cat has, but it is important to track goals regularly.
Your self-care goal may not be the same as the one this cat has, but it is important to track goals regularly.

Creating a Personalized Self-Care Plan

You may need to find a source of motivation to help you initiate your self-care plan. For some, beginning any new task may be overwhelming. In addition, you’ll want to have multiple types of motivation along the way to help keep you on track.

First, reflect on what has successfully motivated you in the past. Use this success as your motivation toward the things you need to do to take care of yourself now.

A good way to help you stay on track is to have a family member, friend, spouse, or health coach hold you accountable. If you back-slide in your efforts to proactively take care of yourself, they will remind you of your goals so you can renew your focus and get back on course.

It’s important to have some basic structure in place for successful self-care. If you cannot take care of yourself, you will not be able to take care of anyone else! A good self-care plan will provide you with the endurance, attitude, and energy to enjoy life and reaching your loftiest goals!



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