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Hi, everyone, it is Alia! As we recently began a new year, I decided to share several self-care oriented activities that can be imparted into your 2021 aspirations and resolutions!
Recently, I finished reading 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,' written by Stephen R. Covey. Within the series, an activity mentioned was 'Sharpen the Saw,' which revolves around the concept of assisting self-benefit, and to care for the four dimensions of our body. Covey utilizes the respective analogy of a woodcutter who was sawing for several days continually, becoming increasingly less productive. The process in which the woodcutter was sharpening the saw dulls the blade, emphasizing that an implemental solution is to periodically sharpen the saw. Similarly, Covey states that sharpening the saw is prominently based upon the concept of taking the time to renew and refresh the four dimensions of ourselves, which are physique, mentality, and sociality, to promote greater efficiency when completing our daily tasks. Inspired by Covey's statement, I would love to share various activities of self-care. However, this list does not include all the activities, and you can add more at your convenience; the list is solely meant to help guide you when creating self-care activities to incorporate into your life!
However, before I begin sharing activities, what is the definition of self-care? Self-care is broad term that encompasses any form of benefit for one's well-being. In regards to modern societal interpretations, self-care refers to actions and attitudes which contribute to the maintenance of well-being and personal health, and promotes human development. In health care, self-care is an essential human regulatory function that is under an individual's control, deliberacy, and self-initiation. A prime example of self-care is when resources begin running low. In order to supply individuals seeking to buy the resource, the company must step back and regroup all of the materials needed to stock the source. Similarly, when the body is running low on energy, a section of the brain, known as the hypothalamus, gears the focus of the body towards sleep, rather that is needed to be performed. Within this area of the brain, neurons send out signals by neurotransmitters, which sends information between neurons by crossing a synapse. This process enables the brain to know that sleep may be mandatory after the arduous hours of work. By performing tasks for an extended period of time further dulling the saw, one may tire oneself, which decreases the level of productivity. Instead of running low on "resources," one must step back and replenish oneself.
Howbeit, it's important to acknowledge that not pleasureful actions taken are considered as self-care. Often, society can all be tempted to use unhealthy coping mechanisms, including drugs. These self-destructive activities help us to regulate challenging emotions, but the relief is temporary. The difference between unhealthy coping mechanisms and self-care activities is uncontroversially beneficial for you. When practiced correctly continually, self-care has long-term benefit for the mind, the body, or both.
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The first dimension of the body is 'Physical Dimension.' The physical dimension of wellness involves encouraging regular activities that results in endurance, flexibility and strength, as well as an extended knowledge in regards to food and nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. 'Physical Dimension' is the combination of states of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Here is the list of activities you can do to take care of the physical dimension of your body:
Endurance -
→ Walking
→ Running
→ Jogging
→ Skipping Rope
→ Running up & down the Stairs
