The Science of Self Care

The Science of Self Care

By Mackenzie Coleman

Self care is a relevant buzzword in a world where social activism is becoming increasingly mainstream. Many of the actions often associated with self care, however, have existed since the beginning of time. Communities throughout history have employed countless practices and traditions to address the healthcare needs of their members.

The rise of scientific and medical discoveries and the formal development of the healthcare professions in the 19th and 20th centuries created an institution that filled a vital role for humanity. However, the role of medical professionals has changed in recent years. Doctors were once mystical providers of services to passive patients who possessed little information about how to care for themselves. This paternalistic model of medicine is becoming less acceptable in the present day, and it does not account for the individuals who do not have access to established healthcare systems. It is also expensive, as it looks to treat preexisting ailments instead of preventing them from occurring. This model flagrantly seeks to maximize profit from the illnesses of individuals instead of focusing on their autonomy, their right to information, and their unique needs.

Thus, self care was developed to push back against these entrenched institutions and practices as the principal method of addressing individual health. No one can know a person’s body and mind better than they do, and no one can address a person’s needs as immediately as they can themselves.

So what exactly is self care, anyway? UK Department of Health published a broad and thorough definition in 2005: “Self care is a part of daily living. It is the care taken by individuals towards their own health and well being, and includes the care extended to their children, family, friends and others in neighbourhoods and local communities.” By this definition, self-care is a conscious choice to constructively and strategically combat stressors in daily life, not a method to avoid problems with momentary distractions. As a practice, self care has seven pillars outlined by the International Self Care Foundation:

1. Health literacy — It is crucial to know the options available to cater to every unique need, medical or otherwise, as that knowledge can make many services more accessible.
2. Self-awareness — One must acknowledge their physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and professional needs.
3. Physical activity — Exercise is commonly stressed as a crucial activity to boost positive brain chemistry, improve overall physical and emotional health, and reduce the risk of developing diseases.
4. Healthy eating — A deliberate and nutritious diet can truly make a difference when accessible. Chromium and magnesium help boost serotonin levels, which elevates happiness. Calcium, vitamin B6, and iron can regulate mood swings and depression for people who menstruate. Zinc both bolsters the immune system and improves the response of anti-depressants while lowering side effects. As a baseline, it’s important to simply eat regularly when possible.
5. Risk mitigation — While certain risks may be inevitable, reducing the negative impact of the risk can result in less harm towards an individual’s health, which is care in its own right. For example, sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer and other diseases, is an unavoidable part of life, but wearing sunscreen can reduce the harmful impact of UV rays.
6. Good hygiene — No one can be perfectly clean all of the time, but washing oneself, cleaning any injuries or infections, and executing regular maintenance in general can increase happiness and self-esteem and ground an individual in their body.
7. Rational use of products and services — It is vital to take the appropriate medication that has been prescribed at the recommended frequency. Other elements of this pillar are understanding how medicine may affect ability and behavior and consuming health products like vitamins and minerals.

A common misconception is that self care is synonymous with selfishness, impulsivity, or laziness. This idea couldn’t be any farther from the truth — when practiced in an ideal fashion, self-care is a very deliberate group of actions. Anyone with money can buy food, drinks, substances, or possessions that will satiate a craving and provide an instantaneous, temporary mood boost. Unfortunately, these indulgences often come with consequences that can cause more damage than their original benefit. Truly positive care requires discipline and planning, and each action compounds upon those before it to elevate an individual’s health for longer stretches of time.

Ultimately, taking care of oneself is the foundation upon which all other care is built. For humans, continuously checking in with themselves builds self-awareness that positively supplements all areas of life. Self care has an impact that reaches far beyond what is immediately satisfying — when employed correctly, it carefully addresses needs in the present to cultivate a healthier, happier, and more stable future.