Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members.
When thinking of self-care, most people envision a bubble bath while wearing a facemask, or reading a book next to a vanilla-scented candle. While some may see these activities as relaxing, self-care is not limited to activities that are heavily promoted, such as spa festivities. Instead, self-care is personal, and it’s important to find individualized practices that improve one’s mental and/or physical health instead of following the trends.
The reality of effective self-care is that not everyone will have the same routine. It’s essential to put thought into the acts that one calls self-care. Social media has led many to view self-care as merely going to the gym with a green juice or making a nail appointment. What social media doesn’t reveal is that some people prefer going on a run instead of lifting in the gym, and others may prefer painting a canvas instead of their nails. Both sides are valid; however, making self-care effective requires finding personalized activities that one genuinely enjoys.
For KHS Senior Olivia Lee, an ideal self-care routine includes her friends, “I enjoy activities most when they’re performed with or around my friends. If the activity is studying, baking, or reading, when I’m spending time with people I care about, the activity becomes self-improving.”
The word “self” is in self-care for a reason. That’s because this is an activity for personal satisfaction. When reflecting on current self-improvement practices, are these activities enjoyable, or are they something that one thinks should be enjoyable? If a current self-help routine consists of activities that others find pleasurable, but the person doing it disagrees, the activity should be changed. Sophomore Greta Diltush has changed her self-care routine to fit her needs, “I recognized that following a self-care routine I found on TikTok wasn’t aligning with my needs, so I made changes before the school year started. Now that I’m prioritizing acts that I find relaxing, my mental health has improved drastically.”
It’s important to remember why people practice self-care. Daily acts of self-care should work to establish behaviors that protect one’s well-being. A survey posted by OnePoll, in partnership with Sensodyne, revealed that, on average, Americans only feel relaxed 40 minutes a day. There are plenty of pursuits one can take to get the most out of short spurts of relaxation. Self-care is multi-dimensional, including mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual care. If one enjoys studying while listening to music, it’s okay to incorporate that into a self-help routine as an enjoyable activity that also strengthens oneself intellectually. No matter what the pastime is, as long as it contributes to one’s happiness, that is an accurate representation of self-betterment.
Kinnelon High School Counselor Marlene Goudreau highlights the importance of making time for enjoyable self-betterment activities, “In an increasingly demanding world, we often put our own needs last until we reach the point of illness or exhaustion. Carving out time each day for a consistent, enjoyable activity — even just for a few minutes — can help us reset, reboot, and revitalize. Like the pre-flight safety instructions we’ve all heard before takeoff, it’s crucial to secure our own oxygen masks before assisting others. The better we take care of ourselves, the more we can be there for our loved ones, friends, and colleagues.”
Self-care is not one-size-fits-all, nor is it about following trends or ticking off a list of glamorized activities. Proper self-care is analyzing one’s needs and structuring a routine that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s through setting boundaries, trying new hobbies, or simply enjoying daily rituals, effective self-care is about honoring one’s individual needs and well-being.
