Self-care is increasingly recognized as a foundation for wellbeing—not just a luxury, but a vital part of maintaining physical, emotional, and social health (Ayala et al., 2021; World Health Organization, 2022). Self-Care is about everyday actions that support your unique needs and happiness (Mills et al., 2018).
What self-care looks like varies for everyone. For some, it’s sharing meals, spending time outdoors, listening to music, or engaging in spiritual or community traditions (Moodley et al., 2020; Sue & Sue, 2022). Research shows these activities can help reduce stress, support emotional health, and strengthen social connection (Ayala et al., 2021; Mills et al., 2018).
Caring for your body—by eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and staying active—can boost your energy and physical health (Ayala et al., 2021; Slade et al., 2017). Emotional self-care, such as journaling, talking with a friend, or practicing mindfulness, is linked to better stress management and emotional regulation (Mills et al., 2018; Suleiman-Martos et al., 2020)
Self-care can also improve relationships and help you focus better at work and home (Ayala et al., 2021; Sorenson et al., 2016). The most effective habits are those that fit your values, culture, and personal circumstances (Moodley et al., 2020).
If you’re ready to build self-care routines that truly work for you, reaching out for support from a mental health professional can help you get started. Our team is here to provide effective, evidence-based solutions to help you in building a secure, resilient self, and help strengthen your relationships.
About the Author:
Dr. Shasha Oosthuizen, C.Psych. (Supervised Practice), is a psychologist in Clinical and Counselling Psychology at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships, working under the supervision of Dr. Lila Hakim, C.Psych. Her doctorate dissertation focused on self-care. She provides therapy to adult individuals and couples for a wide range of concerns, using various treatment modalities tailored to each client’s unique goals and needs. She welcomes clients from all backgrounds and is committed to offering a nonjudgmental, compassionate, and authentic therapeutic space. Learn more: https://cfir.ca/about/toronto-team/shasha-oosthuizen/
References
Ayala, G. X., et al. (2021). Self-care as a health-promoting behavior: A systematic review. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35 (2), 263-275.
Mills, J., Wand, T., & Fraser, J. A. (2018). Self-care in mental health nursing: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 27(2), 662-677.
Moodley, R., Gielen, U. P., & Wu, R. (2020). Global Perspectives in Multicultural Counselling: A Handbook for the 21st Century. Routledge.
Slade, S. C., et al. (2017). Consensus on exercise reporting template (CERT): Explanation and elaboration statement. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50 (23), 1428-1437.
Sorenson, C., Bolick, B., Wright, K., & Hamilton, R. (2016). Understanding compassion fatigue in healthcare providers: A review of current literature. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48 (5), 456-465.
Sue, D. W., & Sue, D. (2022). Counselling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice (9th ed.) Wiley.
Suleiman-Martos, N., et al. (2020). The effect of mindfulness training on burnout syndrome in nursing: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76 (5), 1124-1140.
World Health Organization. (2022). Self-care interventions for health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/self-care-health-interventions
