It may seem obvious, but there are far too many people who simply don’t take the time to engage in self-care! This critical activity is being increasingly ignored in favor of working nonstop, and it needs to stop. When someone tells me they are successful, but I see them neglecting themselves and on the verge of burnout, I know they are not truly successful.

There are so many reasons that we all need to engage in some self-care, which is why I’m bringing you my top three.

What is Self Care?

Before we can know why we should engage in daily self-care, let’s get this out of the way: you don’t need to have a massive spa weekend! We all know that self-care can be found in expensive relaxation retreats and costly massage packages, but there are other ways to practice this crucial habit.

In life, we often get many opportunities to practice tiny bits of self-care. Even taking half an hour to relax in the tub or catch a quick nap is an exercise in caring for yourself.

Why You Should Practice Self Care

If you’re on a plane and an emergency happens, you’ll always be told to put your mask on before you try to help others. This critical safety tip is useful for more than just air travel! It’s a perfect way to encapsulate why everyone needs to take some time to take care of themselves.

1. Self Care Rejuvenates You

As much as we may want it to, daily life never slows down. There will always be something else to do, another mess to clean up, and another deadline to meet. These are daily problems that weigh us down, but you don’t have to let them drag you down. Take some time out of your day to relax and unwind.

Something as simple as taking a walk outside or enjoying a cup of your favorite coffee can really refresh your mind. This small moment of relaxation is what we all need every day, and the boost it gives us can go a long way!

If you ever find yourself facing a particularly dreaded task, give yourself a big hug! Take a few minutes, some deep breaths, and do what relaxes you. Some people meditate, others might stretch. Whatever it is, do it! You’ll find yourself feeling a lot better afterward.

2. Self Care Gives You a Fresh Perspective

Another benefit of mental clarity is perspective. Recently, I enjoyed a wonderful weekend at the spa. Between some facials, a few massages, and deep relaxation, I thought about my life. I considered what path I want to take, and I realized a few things about myself.

When we engage in self-care, we enter a state of relaxation. Our minds lose their usual haze of stress, and we can consider things from a new angle. Without all that extra ick clogging our thoughts, problems that may have seemed impossible to solve suddenly become clear.

This is why it’s especially important to take breaks and recenter yourself when you engage with something particularly challenging. You may have heard people say that if you can’t seem to figure something out, you should leave it and come back later. There’s truth to that advice! Often, when we’re stressed, we need to give ourselves a bit of breathing room.

Everyone is a cup of juice. Pick your favorite: orange, grape, lemon, apple, or something else! We all have a certain amount of energy to give, and every daily activity, annoyance, and stressor takes a little bit out of us. No matter how resilient you may be, you’ll eventually run out of juice to pour!

Fortunately, we can replenish our stores of energy by taking time to take care of ourselves. Even a simple ten-minute meditation session can clear your mind and re-center your spirit.

However, if you constantly avoid practicing self-care, you will eventually find yourself at your breaking point. If you don’t give yourself enough space to think and relax, your stresses and problems will build up. This may seem like a small problem at first, but think of it this way: one penny isn’t much, but a thousand will be pretty heavy!

When you do eventually break, this often hurts the people around you. Professionally, you will suffer from loss of productivity and decreased performance. Privately, you will feel isolated and depressed. It doesn’t need to be this way! Take charge now by taking just a little bit of time each day to relax, and I promise that you’ll see a huge change in your overall happiness.

At the end of the day, you are the best judge of yourself.

Know where your limit is, and know when to take a break. A bit of relaxation can save you a lot of stress in the future and ultimately lead you to personal and professional success.