By Purity Nthiana
Self care ,This is a term most people have come across either on social media or printed media on your Saturday magazine. The term is taken as simply a word with no internalization of its meaning. This will mainly touch on millennials because it hits so close to home for most of them. The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker. Selfcare is taking a minute to do something for yourself that is not intertwined with benefiting someone else but just oneself (this in not to be confused with being selfish). This could be as simple as taking an hour to yourself to meditate, think, work out, take a stroll, ride a bike among other things that improve your mental and physical health.
When I say this is going to hit close for the millennials is because we have been raised to give it our all, to burn out, to deliver no matter what even if it means sacrificing your mental and emotional health and living unfulfilling life especially at work. Selfcare is a broad spectrum and is wired to each individual to what works for them depending on many factors such as finances, career, geographical location among others. For example, you cannot ask a girl from Garbatula to go for horse riding to improve their health. It needs to be practical.Self-care can look different for everyone, but to count as self-care, the behavior should promote health and happiness for you.
There are different kinds of self-care. It could be emotional such as positive self-talk or saying no to things that are stressful or physical such as having a healthy diet, exercising and some may add spiritual selfcare as well. self-care doesn’t have to be about padding your calendar with luxurious experiences or activities that cost money (though it certainly can). Simple daily activities can count as selfcare like making your bath time more enjoyable or making your bed in the morning. We know a person or two who when stressed do deep cleaning and this is mainly seen among women.
Guilt among the millennials has taken the fun and joy out of the while selfcare thing. They are wired to think self-care is going on an expensive treat, buying your favorite cologne that costs an arm and a leg or having your nails done. And how dare you do your nails at a cost of 1 month’s groceries. Why have pizza when you can get a whole chicken for half the price that can be consumed for 2 days creating a cycle of overthinkers who will not leave their children to have brunch because that makes them a bad mom. It is okay to do something for yourself once in a while as long as it brings you joy, improves your mood and calms your spirit.
We need to undo the norm of breaking our backs and sacrificing everything with nothing left to call our own. Take a minute in your so busy or not so busy life to do something you love and that brings satisfaction and joy. This will eliminate the negative pressures in life that come with trying to look for finances and a purpose. A way from all that you can find a sanctuary that calms you and you will better endure your long hours at work, the pressure that comes with that new job and positivity to venture into new things. But at the end do something that gives you a minute to breathe through it all.
Miss Nthiana is a sexual and reproductive health advocate at NAYA Kenya
