How to Increase Self-Care to Decrease Anxiety

What does genuine self-care mean, beyond the buzzword? Do you feel selfish or nervous to commit to practicing self-care in your daily life? Do you know what you need to feel grounded when anxiety comes up?

Contrary to what most people think, self-care is one of the best things you can do for others – not just yourself. By taking care of yourself, and regulating your mental, physical, and emotional health, you inherently make the world a better place.

There’s a reason they say to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping someone else with theirs. You are better able to love, care, and partake in life when you love, care, and look after yourself.

In This Episode:

What Self-Care Means
Let Go of Toxic Self-Care
Savour the Little Things
It’s All Self-Care!

What Self-Care Means

Sometimes, people feel like practicing self-care means that they are selfish, or not concerned with others. This could not be further from the truth!

When you care for yourself, not only are you creating a better life for yourself and your loved ones, but you also show them that standing up for what you need and want is safe and important to do.

‘In order to be helpful to others, you need to be taking care of yourself and making sure that your cup is full, that you have energy, and that you aren’t feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed, so that you can be there for other people. But, you need to be there for yourself first.’ – Julia Smith

In a way, practicing self-care is one of the best things that you can do for those around you. It’s like putting on your own oxygen mask on a plane, before helping anyone else with theirs.

‘Self-care is a responsibility, not a luxury … you’re the person responsible to take care of yourself. And so, instead of worrying about everyone else, it really is important to make some time for yourself.’ – Jane Donovan

Let Go of Toxic Self-Care

Toxic self-care tells you that you need to be doing more self care activities, or that you aren’t doing enough, trying hard enough, or doing it right.

This often happens in the workplace where employers expect their employees to put in near-inhumane hours to get the job done, with no regard to its effect on the employees’ health and wellness. And then they blame the employee for not taking care of themself and disregard the unethical business practices.

‘Maybe [another] part of self-care … it’s not only about meeting your needs and making sure that you’re taking care of your body and your mind but also [practicing] self-care as an action to stand up for yourself, especially in the workforce.’ – Julia Smith

Self-care can be about joining a worthy cause, lending your voice to a general issue that needs to be solved within the community, or even joining a union. Self-care can extend beyond yourself, and encompass those around you so that self-care develops into community care.

‘Standing up your others and standing up for yourself and taking action that can also meet a need and reduce anxiety.’ – Julia Smith

Savour the Little Things

We call them little things, but they’re huge things!

‘When we take the time to notice that we’re enjoying [life] and that it feels good, even that can be part of self-care.’ – Jane Donovan

Enjoy your breakfast. Look at the sky, call a friend or loved one, and take a slow walk in nature. These are small things that you can do and when you’re fully present in doing them, they can bring you peace, calmness, and a sense of ease.

Little things might also be talking to your financial advisor, looking up courses for a skill you want to learn, and developing yourself. You can be proactive in reducing anxiety, rather than having to deal with it when it comes around.

‘[For example], if you’re really worried about money, then maybe [do] something about that like making a budget, talking to someone, thinking about how you can manage your money in a way that will be less stressful or how you can bring in more money so that you can have the things that you want!’ – Jane Donovan

What are some small things that you can do in your life that can help you to feel less stressed?

It’s All Self-Care!

‘The whole point of this first season is really to take care of yourself. To notice when that anxiety is coming up in your body, your mind, and being aware of it.’ – Julia Smith

Learning how to figure out and overcome your anxiety is all grounded in learning how to care about yourself. You can learn to become aware of your body, your mind, and when you need to make changes to bring yourself back to a place of calmness.

It’s an act of self-care to figure out why anxiety is present, whether it’s from personal things, relationships, or societal issues, and to take a stance against it, in favour of yourself and therefore those around you.