Re-defining Self-Care: Part 1

My guess is your life may be similar to mine these last 3 years. I was dealing with some health issues, then my husband died, the pandemic arrived and later I fell and ended up with a concussion. A blend of loss, grief, sadness, anxiety, fear and anger to manage... right? My brain and autonomic nervous system were on hyper alert due to the fight-flight-freeze (FFF survival mode) being triggered.

Since the pandemic I hear, as well as read, many stories from people communicating they are struggling with how to help themselves and their loved ones cope emotionally and mentally because they feel unsafe in the world and/or in their bodies. Survival has become a way of life due to the multiple losses, of either a loved one or a way of life or both. Returning to a state of calm and safety in the body feels like a distant memory.

The Oxford dictionary's definition of self-care is “The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's health” and “The practice of taking an active role in protecting one's well-being and happiness, particularly during periods of stress." Activities such as going for a walk, journaling or taking a bubble bath were not helping. I started searching for other ways to repair what was happening. I found resources in the holistic medical community as well as current neuroscience information. When I began to include techniques that specifically focused on balancing the brain and regulating the nervous system my life changed. I re-defined what self-care meant to me.

I had so many reminders along the way that self-care has nothing to do with being selfish and has everything to do with taking care of myself so my life had quality and meaning. I think we can all agree we have been living in a very stressful time. Further, our health, our well-being and our happiness have greatly suffered.