Filling the Cup: What Is Self-Care?

We hear about it all the time, but let’s take a second to get back to basics about self-care.

Self-care is taking the active role of investing in and nurturing our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. More than practicing good hygiene, self-care is intentionally taking time to nourish and replenish ourselves during times of stress or when we’re feeling overwhelmed. At Ophelia’s Place, we refer to it as “filling our cup.” When our emotional cup is feeling low due to work, families, friends, and extracurricular activities or obligations, we can fill ourselves up with things that nourish us, bring us joy, and help us to alleviate whatever stress we are experiencing. By practicing self-care, we give ourselves the opportunity to continue to support and enjoy the people we care about while also meeting and honoring our own needs.

Making Room for Self-Care

Self-care may feel like one more obligation on our to-do list. As educators and parents, our time feels and IS incredibly limited. However, self-care is, now, more than ever, imperative to ourselves and to our relationships. We may not have the time or the ability to grab that cup of coffee, enjoy dinner with a friend, or treat ourselves to something special. The ways in which we practice self-care may change based on what we need, and that’s okay.

Self-Care Ideas

Here are some ways that you can practice self-care right now:

• Take a little longer lunch break

• Put a movie on for your kids

• Postpone that assignment or chore that is bringing stress to you and your students and focus on connection instead

• Put your kids to bed early

• Order take-out

• Bake or cook something

• Step outside and take deep breaths

• Make a list of things you are thankful for

Whether you are an educator, a parent, or both, your mental and emotional well-being is important, and you are doing a fabulous job. Keep up the good work!