The Life You Live is the Product of Your Conscious and Unconscious Choices for instance, what you think, what you say, how you act in the face of adverse or positive situations, how you handle discussions and tensions with others. We live in a fast-paced, energetic world where we manage multiple activities daily. Time becomes an extremely valuable, scarce, and unstable resource. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care includes aspects such as personal hygiene, proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, and responsible decision-making regarding self-medication. It also focuses on environmental and socioeconomic factors that influence well-being, such as living conditions and cultural beliefs.
Essential Self-Care Practices
Self-care involves developing daily practices that support health and emotional stability. These activities vary depending on each person and their context but all share the same goal: preserving health. Incorporating a balanced diet, physical activity, and adequate rest into your daily routine helps maintain good physical and mental health. Furthermore, strengthening social relationships, recognizing and expressing emotions, and valuing leisure time are key practices for self-care (FUNDASIL).
Principles
Self-care is a voluntary process in which the individual becomes the protagonist of their own well-being. As highlighted by Uribe (1999) and Correa (2016), self-care requires a constant commitment to health, supported by both the formal healthcare system and social and family networks. To develop this habit, a solid self-concept, self-control skills, and high self-esteem are essential. These principles enable individuals to make conscious decisions that improve their quality of life and strengthen resilience.
Benefits of Incorporating Self-Care
- Improves quality of life.
- Prevents physical and mental illnesses and facilitates recovery for those who already suffer from them.
- Promotes greater adherence to medical treatments, benefiting people with chronic illnesses and aiding in the restoration of health (Bastidas, 2007).
- Strengthens a sense of control and empowerment, allowing individuals to better understand their needs and preferences, fostering a more positive relationship with themselves.
Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for self-care, as it allows balancing work responsibilities with personal time, promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This act of self-care not only improves the quality of life for the individual, helping prevent burnout and increasing productivity but also positively influences those around them. By prioritizing personal needs and setting clear boundaries, a mutual respect environment is created, where everyone’s well-being is valued, contributing to a more balanced life.
