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The recent pandemic seems to have halted teens’ perspectives of what “self care” really is. Years 2020 and 2021 have been so focused on helping other people – keeping others safe and being considerate of others – that taking care of ourselves often seems to be the most burdened chore, getting pushed aside time and time again.
In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about the importance of self love.
We must all work on normalizing the conversation of mental health and decreasing the stigmas. Doing things for yourself isn’t selfish or needy; it’s recognizing that you are human too and deserve the bare minimum.
Taking care of yourself is easier said than done. Sometimes it feels like the media portrays wild expectations of productivity that often aren’t realistic.
When getting caught up in sports, work and school, it’s easy to forget some of the “simplest” everyday tasks. Allowing yourself to not eat enough, not drink enough water, not move your body, and allowing yourself a lack of sleep shows an underground lack of love and kindness for yourself.
Self care doesn’t have to be a whole spa day to yourself or taking a mental health day; it can be as simple as making your bed, showering, or allowing yourself some alone time to rewind.
Exercising, lessening your phone usage, being around positive people and giving yourself chill time can all help you sustain a better mood.
It’s important to remember that in order to serve others to your best potential, to show love to your friends, peers, teammates, siblings or your partner, you have to show love to yourself just as much.
If not doing it for anyone else, do it for yourself. For the body that allows you to move, to jump, to travel. For the mind that gives you so many good ideas. For the heart that builds relationships with others. For the eyes that allow you to see new things.
Allow yourself to be loved and taken care of, you deserve it.
