Now more than ever, we need a new way to relate to self-care. We all know what is good for us, but if it was as easy as knowing how to take care of ourselves, we wouldn’t be looking at the highest levels of chronic illness our nation has ever seen.

Self-care takes work, strategy, and persistence, and is a matter of finding what works for you. It’s also about value — we value our cars enough to get preventative maintenance like oil changes and new tires.  Why do we not value ourselves in the same regard?

Below are 10 ways you can break down potential barriers to the how and why of self-care.

1. Change your thinking about self-care. Unplug from the idea that self-care is selfish. It’s not a luxury. It’s a requirement for our health and well-being.
2. Give yourself permission. Whether it be a sticky note on your desk or mirror, give yourself permission to do the things you need to do to stay well.
3. Experiment. Committing to change is hard, but if you commit to a two-week experiment, it feels more manageable. It also allows you to adjust as needed.
4. Set boundaries. We place boundaries on things we wish to protect, such as no food in the living room. Why wouldn’t we place boundaries around the things we need to care for ourselves?  Protect that “me” time like your life depends on it — because it does.
5. Get an accountability partner. Find a friend who shares in your struggles and help each other stay accountable to your goals and self-care experiments.
6. Inventory your energy. Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left, write down things and activities that give you energy. On the right, acknowledge the things that suck your energy dry. Begin to look at your days and weeks and evaluate whether your “energy in” activities balance with the “energy out” activities. If not, find ways to get them in balance so you don’t run in the negative.
7. Be intentional. If you know that spending time with your friends makes life a little easier, then make a plan, set a date, and get it on the calendar. Plan the next meeting before you say your goodbyes.
8. Find tools that work for you. Whether it’s setting an alarm to remember to drink water or utilizing a color-coded calendar system to ensure you are scheduling “me” time, experiment to find what works for you.
9. Stop wasting time. Being “too busy” is not an excuse for failing to take care of yourself. Be real with yourself about how much time you are wasting. Could that 20 minutes on Facebook be better spent taking a leisurely walk in the woods or doing a guided meditation?
10. Pay attention to how you are numbing. We all find ways to escape our life some days. Recognize when you are participating in numbing activities and shift into activities that support your health.

A wise woman posed a question to me as she noticed I was on the verge of collapse from self-imposed exhaustion. She asked me, “Do you value yourself by who you are? Or do you value yourself by what you can do?” I invite you to explore that same question and I sincerely hope you arrive at the same conclusion I did. We all matter. We all have inherent value by simply living on this Earth. And we all deserve to take good care of ourselves.

Author: Katie Gross, RN BSN HNB-BC CHTP IAC – is an Integrative Nurse Clinician working in the inpatient and private practice settings. She blends traditional nursing with energy medicine to empower clients to heal from their stories. Katie is valued instructor for Normandale Community College’s Integrative Health Education Center.