A Reintroduction to Self-Care
What is “Self-Care”?
Self-care is a term that we all know and love. But what is self-care really? Despite how often the term is mentioned on social media or in wellness articles, self-care is one of the most misunderstood concepts in mental health. When some hear the term, lavish spa days, vacations, or elaborate routines are quick to come to mind, while others may associate the term with being just another item to add to an already long list of to-dos.
Once you break it all down, self-care is much simpler – and much more accessible – than it often appears. The World Health Organization (n.d.) defines self-care as “the ability of individuals, families, and communities, to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker”. Overall, practicing or participating in self-care is engaging in actions to care for one’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being. Self-care is not about following trends or being productive; it’s about recognizing our needs and responding to them promptly with compassion. With that in mind, self-care may look different for each individual and is even subject to change as we move through different life stages, circumstances, and day-to-day challenges.
Breaking it all Down…
As we move through this post, it may be helpful to consider self-care as being broken down into five different categories: emotional, mental, physical, social, and spiritual self-care. Physical self-care includes tending to our bodies in very basic ways. Often done through walking, stretching, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and fueling our bodies with proper nutrition. Emotional self-care addresses our feelings, focusing on recognizing, acknowledging, and properly expressing feelings. This can be accomplished through journaling, confiding in a friend, or engaging in leisurely activities that allow you time to process your emotions. Mental self-care consists of caring for our thoughts and mind. This can be done by setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, engaging in activities that calm the mind, or even by attending counseling! Social self-care focuses on tending to our social connections, such as by calling a friend, spending time with loved ones, or even setting limits in a draining relationship. Lastly, spiritual self-care, which consists of nurturing our inner self by connecting with what we find meaningful. This can be accomplished through reflecting on values, engaging in religious practices, connecting with nature, finding purpose, or expressing gratitude.
Common Misconceptions About Self-Care
There are many misconceptions about self-care, with the most common being that self-care has to be luxurious or expensive. While going on a vacation or receiving a nice massage may be restorative, these are not requirements for engaging in meaningful self-care. In reality, self-care is often conducted through small, consistent actions, such as taking some deep breaths when feeling nervous, saying “no” on days where you’re fully booked, going to bed a little earlier, or even taking the time to watch an episode of your favorite show after a long day.
Another misconception is that taking the time to care for oneself is selfish. Many individuals are raised to prioritize the needs of others before their own, which may make engaging in self-care feel wrong or uncomfortable at times. However, what many fail to recognize is that taking the time to tend to your own needs allows you to better and more fully show up in other areas of your life.
Another misunderstanding about self-care is that it is only done during active periods of burnout. In reality, self-care is most effective when practiced regularly and can even be helpful in preventing burnout from occurring. Waiting until the point of depletion may be ineffective, as it can make it even more difficult to want to engage in any self-care at all. Self-care is most effective when used as a preventative measure rather than as a last resort.
Why Engaging in Self-Care Is Important
Having regular check-ins with our bodies, emotions, and thoughts allows us to more easily recognize when something is out of balance or when a certain area of our life may need more attention. Engaging in regular self-care is important as it helps us stay connected to ourselves and our needs, which are important factors in supporting our overall mental health. Self-care also plays a significant role in our emotional regulation. It is more difficult for us to manage our emotions or cope properly whenever our basic needs (i.e., food, sleep, and connection) are unmet. Over time, regular utilization of self-care practices can be helpful in stabilizing mood, improving concentration and focus, and increasing our ability to be resilient during times of stress.
How Self-Care Helps Reduce Stress and Burnout
Self-care gives our nervous system the opportunity to rest, reset, and recover, which is helpful in restoring balance. By engaging in regular self-care, we can protect ourselves from burnout, such as by setting and maintaining boundaries. Burnout often develops gradually over time and can become especially prominent when one feels emotionally drained or disconnected from their sense of purpose. Self-care can be used as a protective factor against stress and burnout, as it can enable people to better recognize their limits. Allowing time for rest, setting boundaries with your time and energy, and making space for meaningful activities are crucial in preventing the accumulation of exhaustion that can later lead to burnout.
Conclusion
Something does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming to be effective, and the same goes for self-care. At its core, self-care is all about being aware, compassionate, intentional, and kind to yourself. Self-care can present itself differently as it may consist of meeting basic needs, setting or upholding boundaries, or simply taking time to rest or connect with others.
With this reintroduction to self-care, I invite you to reflect on what support may currently look like for you. Do you need 10 minutes of peace? An extra hour of sleep? Lunch with a friend? No matter what your need is, by approaching self-care with flexibility and compassion, you can discover practices that fit into your life and help support your well-being long term. Self-care is not something just currently trending; it is a foundational part of one’s mental health and long term well-being.
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World Health Organization. (n.d.). Self-care for health and well-being. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/self-care#tab=tab_1
Scott, E. (2025). 5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life. Verywell Mind.https://www.verywellmind.com/self-care-strategies-overall-stress-reduction 3144729#:~:text=Rachel%20Goldman%2C%20PhD%20FTOS%2C%20is,%2C%20social%2C%20and%20emotional%20health.
Written by: Jordan Zamarripa, Graduate Student Intern
