Giving importance to only physical health means you should not living a healthy life as one must also give attention to their mental health and emotional well-being, as all these elements act as a holistic approach towards self-care. Self-care has been a first-rate focus for a lot of individuals, especially because the Covid-19 pandemic began as people realised that they not only have to be physically fit but additionally must keep a tab on their mental well-being, given the coronavirus pandemic had impacted many individuals emotionally.

Self-care means doing an activity or inculcating a habit to feel good or content emotionally, physically and mentally but this activity have to be done commonly and it is important to make it an element of 1’s routine. Self-care can even include avoiding habits that affect one’s mood and emotional well-being.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sandeep Patil, Chief Intensivist at Fortis Hospital in Kalyan, shared, “Practising self-care advantages an individual’s physical and mental well-being. This helps an individual feel less stressed and anxious and puts them in a very good mood, thereby improving productivity and motivation. Also, specializing in overall well-being helps people connect with their friends, family and even co-workers because it helps them connect higher and depend on one another when one is having a tricky day or is stressed or anxious about something.”

He added, “Healthy lifestyle selections have immense benefits like a reduced risk of chronic diseases and increased longevity. Self-care activities may be as small as sleeping on time, drinking a lot of water, and applying sunscreen as thy go a great distance in helping an individual maintain their body, skin, mental health etc.” Talking about making a self-care routine, he advised, “To create a self-care routine, one can start by serious about the things or activities they like but in some way never make time for them. It could actually be going for a walk or a swim. One should be sure to allot a selected time of their day as their ‘me time, where they take pleasure in an activity without involving others. This may help them loosen up and give attention to themselves.”

He elaborated, “On days when an individual finds it difficult to be consistent, they need to practice self-care for a couple of minutes at the very least. Moreover, an individual can even select to change their interests and wish not do the identical things day by day. A very powerful thing is doing something for oneself for at the very least 10-Quarter-hour every day. Most significantly, never feel guilty about taking day trip for yourself.” Dr Sandeep Patil shared some good options to start out self-care at home that include any of the next activities and really helpful adding them to at least one’s every day routine:

1. Exercise

2. Meditate

3. Dance

4. Have an extended hot shower

5. Waking up early to see the sunrise

6. Journaling

7. Read a book

8. Bask in gardening

9. Have your favourite meal

10. Spend time together with your pet or a stray whom you’ve gotten emotionally adopted

11. Spend a bit money on buying something for yourself

12. Go for spa

13. Decorate your home or room

14. Stargazing

15. Take heed to music

16. Sing

Practising self-care may be done in various ways and forms and it has no drawbacks because it is holistic and might have tons of advantages, especially when practised for an extended and sustained duration.