(MoneyHippo.com) – Self-care has become a buzzword for advertisers trying to sell weekend vacations, spa packages, and gym memberships, but what does the term really mean? The truth is, self-care simply means purposely doing something to provide for your health and welfare “through restorative activities” because not doing so might have dire consequences, including to your pocketbook.
When we ignore self-care, the underlying factor that builds up is stress. Chronic stress can cause health problems, from insomnia and indigestion to heart attacks and strokes. Health issues can increase stress because of their inherent costs personally and financially, leading to a negative self-reinforcing cycle. So, how does neglecting self-care express itself in our daily lives? Here are three possible symptoms to watch out for and suggestions to help prevent or diffuse them.
- Depression: One of the most frequent results of ignoring self-care and the chronic stress that can result from it is depression. Sometimes depression can begin as situational, but it can also become clinical if it becomes chronic. Either type can cause debilitating fatigue, headaches, body pain, insomnia, and brain fog.
Some people use cost-effective means to treat depression in the early stages, like exercise, music, eating right, and practicing gratitude. Even a 10-minute walk outside in nature each day might help. Still, if you find yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to seek medical help because this is a medical condition that stress might prompt or aggravate. It’s always better to catch and treat medical conditions early. - Anger: Neglecting to take care of yourself consistently could lead to high levels of anger. You may start to resent those around you and suffer burnout from caring for the people you love while neglecting yourself.
Increased anger can affect all parts of your life, from personal relationships to your job. A budget-friendly way to reduce your anger is to take 10 minutes every day to move your body, whether it be a walk outdoors or practicing restorative yoga or tai-chi. - Anxiety: Without self-care, you might feel anxious, giving you feelings of negative expectations that affect your physical and mental state. The disorder can isolate you and stop you from doing certain activities, like seeing a doctor when you need to, visiting a loved one, or even going to work. Practicing daily meditation can be an effective and practical way to eliminate this problem.
It doesn’t have to cost anything to take care of yourself. All you have to do is commit to practicing self-care every day. However, failing to do so can lead to dire consequences, spiraling costs, and more stress.
Copyright 2022, MoneyHippo.com