September is National Self-Care Awareness Month

National Self-Care Awareness Month in September is a good time to remind everyone that taking care of yourself is as important as our other responsibilities. HFC is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our community.

Self-care is often neglected. In the long run, putting everything and everyone in front of your own needs can drain your energy and increase your 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.

Seven Pillars of Self-Care

Seven Pillars of Self-Care work together to bring a sense of wholeness and balance to your life. They include:

1. Mental: Cultivating a healthy mindset through mindfulness and curiosity.
2. Emotional: Taking care of your emotions with healthy coping strategies.
3. Physical: Taking care of your body with exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
4. Environmental: Taking care of the spaces and places in which you live, work, relax, and recreate.
5. Spiritual: Activities or practices that bring and sustain a sense of meaning and purpose in your life, with or without a religious component.
6. Recreational: Making time for hobbies, fun activities, and new experiences.
7. Social: Building relationships with regular connections and healthy boundaries.

Practicing self-care

September is a good time to be aware of and grow in self-care and personal wellness. Here are some tips for self-care:

• 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 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 stress?
• Sleep: The National Institutes of Health recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is important for physical and mental well-being. It can improve 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 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. You might also walk or bike our campus or the adjacent Rouge River Gateway Trail.
• 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 our campuse.
• 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: Massages 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: 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, traveling).
• Say No: You can kindly decline invitations and requests for help whenever it does not make sense to you to help or participate in an activity.

Counselors are available

If you need assistance for your mental and emotional well-being or need someone to talk to, HFC’s Counseling Center 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 mechanisms.

“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 hours, classes, and study time. But 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. 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, call 313-845-9611 or email counseling@hfcc.edu.