{"id":88,"date":"2023-01-19T16:24:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T21:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/rebootyourresiliencywithselfcare\/?post_type=chapter&p=88"},"modified":"2023-11-01T18:56:46","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T22:56:46","slug":"self-care","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/rebootyourresiliencywithselfcare\/chapter\/self-care\/","title":{"raw":"Self-Care","rendered":"Self-Care"},"content":{"raw":"Alright, let\u2019s stop and reflect for a moment\u2026.\r\n\r\nWhat does self-care mean to you? What's the first thing that pops into your head?<\/em> <\/span>Write it down if you\u2019d like.\r\n
An informal survey\/discussion with first year nursing students revealed that many people\u2019s first thoughts revolve around something like exercise \u2013 going for a walk with their dog or going to the gym for example. Others indicated taking a bubble bath or reading a book (a novel, not a textbook of course!). Some students stated, \u201cgiving myself permission to relax (ignoring the to do list)\u201d, \u201cspending time with loved ones\u201d, and \u201cfinding joy in the small things like buying a new candle. I love new candles.\u201d Of course, \u2018Netflix and Chill\u2019 was super popular - and that\u2019s ok \u2013 in moderation. Binging a series? I get it, but late into the night when you have to be up in the morning might reflect procrastination rather than self-care \ud83d\ude09. Something that came out of these discussions with the nursing students was honestly a little alarming. There were some students that could not identify ANY self-care practices they were engaged in. I\u2019m not talking just one or two students here, either. This revelation was, in fact, the seed that started this book.<\/div>\r\nAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), the definition of self-care<\/span> is \u201cthe ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health-care provider\u201d.[footnote]World Health Organization. (2022). WHO Classification of self-care interventions. Video (webinar).Retrieved from: https:\/\/www.who.int\/multi-media\/details\/who-classification-of-self-care-interventions#[\/footnote]\u00a0 Self-care is multi-dimensional and engages our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to maintain and promote our physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being.[footnote]Dorociak, K. E., Rupert, P. A., Bryant, F. B., & Zahniser, E. (2017). Development of the Professional Self-Care Scale.\u00a0Journal of counseling psychology<\/i>,\u00a064<\/i>(3), 325\u2013334. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1037\/cou0000206[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nIn a nutshell,\u00a0self-care encompasses anything you do to be kind to yourself by integrating self-awareness and self-compassion into your life<\/em><\/span>. It\u2019s also about recognizing when your reserves are running low and slowing down to restock them rather than running on empty. Everyone is unique and their life has its own distinctive demands. As such, each of us has to decide what self-care means for us and how to apply it in our life.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_912\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"920\"]\"\"<\/a> Figure 25.1 I Love Me[\/caption]\r\n\r\n
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Are you kind to yourself? Do you love yourself?<\/em><\/p>\r\nSelf-compassion<\/strong> is responding to your own struggles and imperfection the way you would a good friend or loved one...with kindness.\r\n\r\nTo begin your practice in self-compassion, consider the following questions...start with one that feels easy to reflect on:\r\n