We would like to dedicate this post to the question of how we can find our most energetic, productive, ecstatic and happy selves - and what better topic to discuss than self-care, or in English known as: “SELF-CARE”?
“Q: Can you go out today?”
A: No, I am self-caring.”
SELF-CARE
The WHO defines self-care as "the capacity of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health and manage illness and disability with or without the support of a health care provider".
Physical health, which can be derived from self-care, is undoubtedly a cornerstone of well-being. But self-care goes far beyond physical boundaries. Mental, emotional and spiritual self-care are all important components that are interconnected and work together to create a happy you!
It may seem impossible to find a perfect balance between these areas. This guide can help you explore their deeper meanings, understand them and become aware of their existence, and then create an individual fusion of these basic elements. Whether it's "Self-Care Sunday", meditation, family time, a healthy meal or taking your dailybacs? Well - that's up to you!
MENTAL SELF-CARE
Managing stress properly can be a very helpful way to improve your happiness. For example, if something is beyond your control, your thoughts should also be released from it.
PHYSICAL SELF-CARE
Diet, exercise, hydration and sleep are important components of physical self-care. These things help us to circulate our blood, boost our metabolism and, most importantly, create healthy gut flora, which leads to us not only feeling good, but looking good too!
EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE
Emotional self-care can mean learning how to stand up for yourself and express your opinions—healthy assertiveness. This can simultaneously strengthen relationships with those around you, from family to coworkers.
SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE
Connecting your mind with your body can help to increase your energy and revive your spirit. This can be anything and it can be completely individual for you! A few inspirations: practicing conscious gratitude, immersing yourself in nature, 20 minutes of daily yoga, living more sustainably and showing our planet more love, or simply taking a bubble bath.
HAPPINESS IS CULTIVATED FROM WITHIN… and you have the power to unleash that positive energy from your inside vessel!
5 simple ways to practice self-care in your life - true to the motto #treatyourself:
- Say no to things you don't want to do every now and then - If it feels wrong, why force yourself to do it?
- Develop a feel-good morning routine - What makes you feel good? Is a perfect morning routine for you to get up early, go for a walk and prepare a healthy breakfast?
- Unplug - Just pull the plug. Turn off your notifications and distance yourself from toxic influences. Relax with the help of an interesting podcast or nourish your spirit with meditation. Check out our Spotify podcast “BETTER INPUTS - BETTER OUTPUTS”.
- Loooong hugs - Did you know that when a hug lasts about 15-20 seconds, the much-desired "love hormone" oxytocin is released?
- Focus on Mind & Body - Show your body the love it deserves. For example, by pampering it with healthy food, intestinal care and exercise.
“Self-care is not a luxury, it's essential.”
When we discover good self-care practices for ourselves and establish them in our everyday lives, we become more confident, creative, healthier and happier! Research has shown that self-care helps us make better decisions, build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively - all factors that directly influence our mental state. The gut naturally plays a central role in these processes, so our mental state can particularly benefit from them! Good self-care practices have a positive effect on the intestinal flora in every way and vice versa. A healthy diet, a morning routine with dailybacs and lots of positive energy are wonderful examples of this!
- (You can find more about the scientific background of the connection between the gut and the psyche in the blog post entitled “Gut and Psyche: A Special Bond”)
- Book discovery of the month: “The Mind-Gut Connection” - Emeran Meyer, MD
Your mybacs team
Happy Gut, Happy You! :)
SOURCES:
https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/self-care-interventions/definitions/en/
http://journalmedizin.de/magen-darm/darmbacterialen-lieben-schokolade/
https://www.edeka.de/ernaehrung/expertwissen/1000-fragen-1000- Answers/macht-schokolade-real-gluecklich.jsp
https://eatsmarter.de/gesund-leben/news/besten-gute-laune-lebensmittel
https://www.edeka.de/rezepte/genussthemen/serotoninreiche-rezepte.jsp
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/11/style/how-i-self-care.html?module=inline
https://poosh.com/self-care-mental-health/
