What is Self-Care?

"How you care for your body, mind, heart, and spirit directly affects how you care for everybody else."

Bryonie Wise, ‘Stories my Mama told me after she was gone'.

Self Bloom Co is rooted in a belief that devotion to self-care is a throughway to self-discovery. And that the relationship we have with ourselves, is the most important one for us to tend to.

As our world evolves around us, we have taken on more responsibilities, stresses, and distractions. Less time to look after ourselves, yet a greater need for it.

Woman soaking in bath with flower petals as part of her bathing ritual using her Stass and Co body brush

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states “Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you.”

If you think you’ve been hearing more about self-care now, you’re right. One indicator: According to Google Trends, the number of searches for “self-care” has more than doubled since 2015. (Source: Everyday Health)

Paula Gill Lopez, PhD, an associate professor and chair of the department of psychological and educational consultation at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, says the need for self-care is obvious. “We have an epidemic of anxiety and depression,” she says. “Everybody feels it.” (Source: Everyday Health)

An attractive brunette woman leaning on a sofa and reading her Gracious Minds Reflections journal. This is part of her self-care daily ritual.

Life in Mind released a Guide to Self Care and said that “Self-care is not an “emergency response plan” to be activated when stress becomes overwhelming. Instead, it is an intentional way of living by our values, attitudes, and actions and integrating them into our day-to-day routines.

Self-care refers to activities that preserve and maintain one’s physical, emotional and mental health. It is an ongoing commitment to look after yourself through helpful behaviours that protect your health during periods of stress.

Paying attention to what is happening to your body, both physically and emotionally, helps you to identify when something is affecting you. It is important to take time out when you need it to reduce feelings of stress and protect your mental health."

Self Bloom Co is our reminder to take that time. To create space for a daily self-care ritual, that reconnects us with our essence. Or to simply find a mindful pause. A moment to ground us in the present. Whatever level of self-care you engage in, we are here to guide you and have thoughtfully sourced your supplies.

Because encouraging self-care, and curating the toolbox needed for our community to bloom, is our way of creating a more beautiful world.

If you are needing any immediate support, there are a number of 24/7 support services available by phone with further information and resources listed online. Talking to a family member, a friend, your doctor or one of the many 24/7 services available can make all the difference.