If you are like most people, the words "if self-care is a priority for your overall happiness" may bring some confusion and/or irritation to the surface. Self-care basically means doing things on your own, which is a form of happiness that many people are unfamiliar with. People often confuse self-care with personal care (which is another type of self-care), but these two concepts are actually very different. Personal care encompasses all the small things that make us happy, such as having a satisfying work-life balance, getting enough sleep, spending time with friends and family, and exercising.
Self-care is essentially the opposite of this. When you care for yourself with this more refined approach, you are tending to enhance your overall emotional state. Your self-esteem will be higher, your attitude more positive, your body and mind healthier, and your relationships more fulfilling. All of these components can lead to an improved quality of life.
The goal of self-care is to sustain a state of well-being above and beyond what your circumstances or daily experiences can give you. The most common question many ask themselves when considering this matter is "is self-care a priority for my overall happiness?" The answer, unfortunately, is no. The purpose of self-care is to enhance your emotional state in order to achieve your goals. It will not improve your job prospects, get you a raise at work, or make your love life happier than it currently is.
The purpose of this is simple. If you want to create a better emotional state, you must be happy to be alive. This is the only way to attract and experience success. In other words, if you want to be successful, you must be passionate about what you are doing. Pursuing your goals unselfishly without regard to how you will feel is the most simplistic way to create a more fulfilling emotional state.
A second question often asked is "do I need to do a lot of things to benefit from self-care?" While it is true that you cannot go without food for a week or skip going to the dentist, there are many other things that will make a difference in your life. For example, taking a yoga class, learning a musical instrument, or reading a positive book all build upon one core foundation - emotional health. These things alone are enough to bring your goals closer to your ultimate goal of self-improvement.
Of course, you can't forget the tangible benefits of self-care. More than the obvious improvements in your looks and mood, your appearance will improve, your health will improve, your energy level will increase, and you will sleep better. You will also have more energy to accomplish your goals and face the day. When you wake up in the morning, you will feel great. By the end of the day, when you look back on your day, you will be able to say "that was a great day of self-care!"
People who have high levels of self-esteem are generally happier than those with low self-esteem. This is because people with high self-esteem know that they are worthy of happiness. They take care of themselves and are not concerned with what others think of them. When it comes to happiness, self-care trumps everything else.
One of the best tests to ask yourself if self-care is a priority for your overall happiness is this: what is the quality of life you have right now? If you are unhappy with your life, you need to change it. However, if you are in good shape health-wise, you probably don't need to make any major changes in your life. Self-care is more important than the amount of material possessions you have.
Absolutely. Your own healthcare is the highest priority. If you don’t take care of you, you won’t be able to care of anyone else.