Giving importance to only physical health means you usually are not living a healthy life as one must also concentrate on their mental health and emotional well-being, as all these elements act as a holistic approach towards self-care. Self-care has been a primary 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 have to 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 should be done commonly and it is crucial to make it a component of 1’s routine. Self-care may 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 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 might be as small as sleeping on time, drinking plenty of water, and applying sunscreen as thy go a great distance in helping an individual care for 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 fascinated about the things or activities they like but by some means never make time for them. It will probably 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 calm down and concentrate on themselves.”

He elaborated, “On days when an individual finds it difficult to be consistent, they need to practice self-care for just a few minutes a minimum of. Moreover, an individual may select to modify their interests and want not do the identical things every single day. Crucial thing is doing something for oneself for a minimum of 10-Quarter-hour day by day. Most significantly, never feel guilty about taking outing 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 useful adding them to at least one’s day by 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 along with your pet or a stray whom you’ve got emotionally adopted

11. Spend just a little 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 might 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.