September is National Self-Care Awareness Month

With the Fall 2024 semester at HFC in full swing, National Self-Care Awareness Month in September is a good time to remind us all that taking care of ourselves is as important as other responsibilities.

Self-care is often neglected in our everyday lives. We tend to put others’ needs first. But in the long run, this can drain our energy and increase our stress. True self-care is not self-centered or selfish. It’s about paying attention to how you feel in each moment, communicating clearly, and prioritizing your wellness without guilt.

The 7 Pillars of Self-Care

The seven pillars of self-care work together to bring a sense of wholeness and balance to your life. They include:

1. Mental: Mental self-care is about cultivating a healthy mindset through mindfulness and curiosity.
2. Emotional: Emotional self-care involves taking care of your emotions with healthy coping strategies.
3. Physical: Physical self-care involves taking care of your body with exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
4. Environmental: Environmental self-care involves taking care of the spaces and places in which you live, work, relax, and recreate.
5. Spiritual: Spiritual self-care involves activities or practices that bring and sustain a sense of meaning and purpose in your life -- whether they include a religious component or not.
6. Recreational: Recreational self-care involves making time for hobbies, fun activities, and new experiences.
7. Social: Social self-care involves building relationships through regular, meaningful human connections and healthy boundaries.

Practicing self-care

This month is a good time to be aware of and grow in self-care and personal wellness. Practice being good to yourself. Here are some tips for self-care, which might seem obvious but will truly make a difference if you think about where each one might fit in your life:

• Awareness: The first step toward looking after your needs is to know what they are. Your basic needs for food, shelter, and safety are first, of course. Beyond those, how are you feeling? What is your energy level? Are you able to manage your day-to-day responsibilities with a sense of effectiveness and peace? Are you connected to people who love you? Are you generally hopeful about your future? Do you have the support you need to manage the stress that is part of your life?
• Sleep: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is important for your physical and mental well-being. It can improve your health, mood, and immune function.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity can help improve your mood and help you cope with stress. You can start with gentle exercises like walking or yoga. HFC also has a Fitness Center on the first floor of the Athletic Memorial Building (Building H on the main campus). You can use it for free, just bring your student or employee ID. Lockers are available, but you must provide your own lock.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking water throughout the day can help you in many ways, including maintaining body temperature, helping maintain a healthy weight, improving exercise performance, and more. There are hydration stations on the main campus and the East Campus.
• Nutrition: Fresh fruits and vegetables are always a good choice. Consider consulting a dietitian or nutritionist for ways to think about your health and wellness regarding food.
• Massage: A massage is not essential, but it can help reduce stress, soothe sore muscles, and improve relaxation and mental health.
• Practice Kindness: Small acts of kindness for others can boost your endorphins, hormones that increase a sense of wellness.
• Practice Gratitude: Do not hesitate to thank someone who has helped you or tell them you appreciate what they did for you, no matter how big or small. Keeping a gratitude journal can help improve your mental health and outlook by focusing on the helpful aspects.
• Have Fun: Make time for the things you like to do (such as reading, watching movies, cooking, listening to your favorite music, going for a walk, playing games, and so on).
• Say No: It is okay to kindly decline invitations and requests for help, particularly if you are stressed, busy, tired, or just do not want to accommodate the request.

Counselors are available to help you

If you need assistance for your mental and emotional well-being or just need someone to talk to, HFC’s Counseling team can help. Counselors are available to help you improve your ability to make healthy decisions, provide an objective viewpoint for whatever you’re experiencing, and offer coping tools.

“When I teach students how to make and use a Time Management Chart, I find that most quickly fill the boxes with activities like work, classes, and study time. They seldom include time for relaxation or self-care,” explained HFC counselor Dr. Brenda Hildreth. “When I ask them why, they usually say they didn’t think it was important enough to put on the chart. But it is important. Eleanor Brownn, author of The Other Serenity Prayer, once said, ‘Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.’”

For questions, more information, or to set up an appointment at the Counseling Center, contact Hildreth at 313-845-9611 or bjhildreth@hfcc.edu.