Self-care essential to well-being

Not to be confused with self-indulgence, self-care is the all-encompassing practice of taking care of oneself — physically, mentally and emotionally — to better manage stress and anxiety, and be generally healthier.

To ensure an overall sense of good health, experts recommend several methods of self-care that will allow you to live a happier, healthier and fuller life. Dr. Tasha Holland-Kornegay, a wellness expert for Nike and a licensed health care clinician, says self-care is an important tool for people to employ, especially as they try to navigate their increasingly busy lives.

Holland-Kornegay urges people to find ways to seek a sense of inner calm.

“Take a break from the daily grind with a great cup of freshly brewed coffee,” she suggests. “You might not think of coffee as a typical go-to stress reliever, but it tends to get a bad rap.

“The world is a busy place. Enjoying a cup of coffee in a quiet, peaceful place not only lowers your blood pressure, it also clears your mind and gives you a chance to take a few deep, calming breaths. In fact, even the smell of coffee has been found to change the brain to promote calmness.”

Dr. Antonello Bonci, a neurologist and Executive Chairman and Founder of the mental health clinic GIA Miami, says finding a sense of calm is important and can help mitigate triggers that lead to anxiety. Bonci says understanding our triggers is critically important.

“Emotions are often the most powerful triggers, and certain activities and interactions can lead to feelings of stress, guilt, shame, resentment, and even anger and confrontation with friends and family members,” he says. “By recognizing your personal triggers, you are taking the first step towards being able to manage your feelings and avoid resorting to unhealthy behaviors.”

Once those triggers are understood, people can know their limitations. Once those limits have been reached, Bonci and Holland-Kornegay agree it’s important to step back, take a breath and find a sense of calm.

Bonci says practicing mindfulness or grounding strategies like deep breathing can be helpful. When it may get a little too much, step away. Take a walk to clear your head, watch a favorite movie or relax in a hot bath.

One thing that is important in self-care is to prioritize one’s self. It’s important for people to learn how to say “no” to others, Bonci adds.

“Anyone who is upset with you for setting your boundaries and saying ‘no’ is upset because you are showing them that they can no longer control you,” Bonci says. “Respect yourself, and put your needs and goals first.”