Self-Care: Finding the right Fuel for your Tank


Self-care is a word that is thrown around a lot these days, it’s important to know what it means and how to act on it. An analogy that is usually used is that when your emotional gas tank is on E, self-care is what refuels your tank. But self-care can be different for each individual and connecting to what it means to you personally. Here is a different way to think differently about self-care and ways of implementing it into your life, so you can find the right fuel for your tank.



  1. What is self-care? Self-care is doing small actions or activities which are connected to specific personal values.




  1. When is self-care needed? Self-care can be used at any time, and should be implemented on a daily and weekly basis in order to maintain wellbeing. 

  • Having extensive burnout or exhaustion

  • Prolonged feelings of anxiety, depression, or anger

  • Extreme difficulties with making major decisions 

  • Challenges finding direction in life




  1. What are values? Values are the deeply held views and verbs that give you purpose, make your life meaningful, and ground you during the hard times.      


Examples:     - Loving/Caring - Working - Connecting

- Family - Nature          - Spirituality 

- Health - Adventure - Community

- Humor/Fun - Resilience - Learning/Development

- Courage - Truth/Honesty - Authenticity

- Faith  - Creativity - Freedom


One way to identify values is by thinking of a specific moment when you felt peace, and ask yourself: What was I doing right before or during that moment of peace? 

Peace is a good indicator of when you are connecting to your values.







  1. What to do for self-care? Sometimes the difficult issues in 2 happen when we’re putting all our energy into only one or two of the values in 3, and we’re forgetting some of the other important values of our lives. Ask yourself:

A: What is a value that  has not been getting as much attention recently?

B: What is a small activity or action that pays tribute to that value?

C: What can be moved around so the action can happen?

D: DO IT, the benefits of self care come from doing, not just thinking about it.


  

Examples of Self-Care:

  • 5-15 minutes to stop and be in nature, do something healthy  
  • 10-30 minutes to connect with a family member or friend
  • 2-4 hours to do a hobby, have fun, be spiritual 
  • 1-3 days to go on an adventure or spend time away with family or friends  




Self-care is not selfish; quite the opposite, it replenishes so that you are your best self for those who need you most.  

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