By Andrea Deweese

Isn’t exercise self-care? What about meditation? Or perhaps a bubble bath paired with a glass of wine? While these activities can certainly qualify as self-care, the concept goes far beyond merely adding healthy habits to our day. Self-care is a holistic approach to living—a framework for equipping ourselves to navigate life’s adversities while cultivating an enduring sense of well-being.

At its core, self-care involves discovering and employing strategies and skills that foster resilience and enable us to thrive, not just survive. Developing these skills is essential for everyone, as they empower us to handle challenges, embrace opportunities, and live fulfilling lives.

Why We Struggle with Self-Care

Despite its importance, many of us are far less adept at self-care than we are at other aspects of life, such as our careers. Consider this: to become an engineer, one studies engineering. To become a doctor, one undergoes extensive training in medicine. Yet, when it comes to wellbeing, we are often left to figure things out on our own. The result? We face adversity at work and at home feeling unprepared, which can lead to stress, overwhelm, and an inability to achieve balance.

This gap in our education and training contributes to why so many people struggle with stress-related complications and a sense of being under-equipped to handle life’s demands. However, by intentionally learning and regularly practicing self-care skills, we can shift from merely coping to truly flourishing.

Building a Self-Care Toolkit

So, how do we develop the strategies and skills necessary to enhance our well-being? Research in wellbeing, self-care, and wellness offers a wealth of evidence-based strategies. Additionally, we can learn from others who model self-care practices and share their benefits. By experimenting with a variety of these tools, we can discover what resonates most with us.

Adversity provides the perfect testing ground for these skills. While challenges are never easy, they offer opportunities to practice and refine our self-care strategies. Whether the adversity involves emotional struggles, physical obstacles, or complex problems, we can use our toolkit to navigate these situations effectively. The key is having a diverse set of skills, as no single tool can address every challenge.

Embracing the Process

Self-care is not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another, and what helps in one situation may not be effective in another. This is why it’s vital to remain open-minded and patient. A strategy that doesn’t work initially may become successful with practice. Like any skill, self-care requires ongoing effort and refinement.

To build a robust self-care toolkit:

1. Research Valid Strategies: Seek out evidence-based practices and credible sources to guide your approach.
2. Practice Regularly: Use everyday challenges as opportunities to hone your skills.
3. Diversify Your Skills: Develop a range of strategies to address the many types of adversity life may bring.

Turning Challenges into Growth

When we shift our perspective to view adversity as an opportunity for growth, we transform challenges into catalysts for improvement. By practicing self-care consistently, we can build resilience and enhance our well-being in every aspect of life.

“Ultimately, self-care is more than a series of healthy actions—it’s a dynamic and empowering way of living that helps us face life’s complexities with strength and grace.”