Page 24 - Seniorstoday October 2023 Issue

your well being. Taking care of you from emotional health. In other words, you
the inside out is one of the highest forms of
self care.
Nutrition-
Good nutrition extends beyond food
choices; it also involves mindful eating
habits. While a balanced diet is crucial
for your overall health, the way you
eat matters too. Rushing through your
meals, eating while you’re distracted, or
waiting until extreme hunger strikes can
undermine your well being. Mindful eating
and intuitive eating are two approaches
that promote satisfaction with food and
allow you to enjoy a variety of foods
in moderation without unnecessary
restrictions or stress.
Exercise-
Experts advise 150 minutes of weekly
exercise for capable adults, emphasising
the importance of enjoyable activities to
enhance adherence and self care. Tailoring
your exercise choices to your preferences
and opting for enjoyable alternatives
can make your fitness routines more
appealing.
Physical intimacy-
Intimacy is commonly equated with sex,
but other forms of physical contact are
crucial for you as well. Physical touch is a
fundamental human need to feel connected
with other humans. Consider activities
like massages, hugging your loved ones,
finding a cuddle partner, sex, playing with
a pet, holding someone’s hand or playing
with animals.
Mental and emotional self care-
Mental needs refer to your cognitive
needs and maintaining your mental and
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should think about what invigorates your
mind, maintains your cognitive sharpness
and keeps you sane.
Reducing stress-
The level of stress you experience can
substantially affect your mental health. To
begin addressing this, start by examining
the sources of your current stress. Evaluate
how you’re coping with these stressors,
figure out effective ways to eliminate them
and what best you can add to your life to
limit the effect these stressors have on your
life.
Personal growth and boundaries-
Establishing firm boundaries is essential
to manage your stress and carve out
time to take care of yourself. These
boundaries may involve declining
unwanted commitments, refraining from
volunteering for extra tasks and openly
communicating you need time to do what
you want. Self care also encompasses
your personal growth, which contributes
to a more genuine and fulfilling life by
fortifying your self-identity and enriching
your existing relationships.
Understanding your unique needs is
pivotal to self care.
Taking care of your emotional needs-
Emotional self care involves recognizing
that your emotions can signal unmet needs