Like Swathi, many of us may find that we do need self-care, but we end up putting it off because we simply do not have the time for it. On most days, we might find that we are too stressed or exhausted to engage in our routine. But days like that are when we need to care for ourselves the most. Nikhil Das, an engineer who practises meditation daily despite his busy schedule, realises this. “On days when I’m dealing with problems or stress or health issues, meditation shoots up on my list of priorities. It helps me keep a cool head, not worry about the little things and solve problems better,” he says.
Indeed, a solid self-care routine should help us connect with ourselves and find the strength to cope with any problems that might come our way. Even activities like tending to a garden or cleaning our homes can help us clear our heads and organise our thoughts. For the more bookish lot, habits like keeping a journal might work. While self-care can mean all of these activities and more, it is not limited to them. Simpler things like drinking sufficient water, eating healthy meals and sleeping enough hours in a day also constitute self-care. By drawing up a checklist of things we need to do—besides what our professional, personal or academic lives demand—we can keep track of the needs of our body and mind.
Unfortunately, today, we live in a culture where endless hard work is glorified and not enough is said about the need to invest in taking care of oneself. Self-care tends to be viewed as a luxury, and not a necessity. This can lead us nowhere good, for when we fail our bodies and minds, we end up paying a huge price. Instead of waiting till we work ourselves to the point of burnout, we must start incorporating small ways to take care of ourselves into our daily lives. Over time, we can achieve a healthy balance where our investment in our goals doesn’t take a toll on our bodies and minds.