Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: It’s Strategic
- Kyndra Hamblin
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Way beyond bubble baths: A Real-World Guide to Self-Care & why it matters
Self-care is “the ability to care for oneself through awareness, self-control, and self-reliance in order to achieve, maintain, or promote optimal health and well-being.”→ (Martínez et al., 2021)
Why Self-Care Matters
Root causes of many chronic diseases stem from chronic stress on the body.
Practicing self-care helps build personal resilience and decreases stress on the body.
The idea of self-care has never been more important, especially as chronic and infectious diseases continue to rise. The role of self-care is vital for our health and wellness. When I think about the steps I take for my own self-care, I often don’t feel like doing them in the moment. For example, dragging myself upstairs to bed when it’s tempting to keep working on my laptop a little longer, or choosing to go for a walk when I can think of a million other things that need to be done. Sometimes, without even realizing it, I set limits—like stepping away from social media—as a form of self-care, too.
Daily Self-Care Practices
Self-care often means doing what you don’t feel like doing in the moment:
Going to bed on time instead of continuing to work late, binge Netflix or endlessly scroll through social media
Taking a walk—even when there are a million other things that need to be done
Setting boundaries on screen time and social media, hours can go by if you don’t.
Self-Care in Action
Movement & Mindfulness
Daily walks for thinking, creativity, active recovery, and connection to nature
Use reminders/alarms to take movement breaks during sedentary days
Any form of movement improves mental and physical resilience.
Even short workouts contribute to mood and stress management.
I really enjoy my time alone. My daily walk plays a big role in that. It gives me space to think, sparks creativity, and can some days serves as active recovery for my body. If I didn’t make a point to fit it into my day, I probably wouldn’t go at all—there’s always something else demanding attention. On days when I know I’ll be stuck at my desk, I set reminders to get up, move around, and then get back to work. That, too, is a form of self-care. . I have always found that doing some sort of movement activity no matter what it is or how long it takes, will always end in an elevation of my mood and energy. Every single time.
Home Life & Environment
Tidying up before bed to start the next day with calm and order
Taking care of tasks so they don’t add up and in turn add stress
Over the years, I’ve realized that true self-care often involves doing the hard things—the tasks that require effort and discipline. It’s pushing through to finish that writing assignment, starting a leg workout even when your mind is convincing you to skip it. I know for me, that taking a few extra minutes to tidy up before bed so you wake up to a peaceful home or doing some sort of household chore that you have been meaning to do always make me feel less stressed. These small acts, though sometimes inconvenient, are what keep me grounded. It is checking those things off your list. It stops that cycle of feeling overwhelmed.
Mental & Emotional Wellness
Ask for help when needed. (Still working on this one!)
Avoid self-criticism; offer yourself grace.
Celebrate small wins—progress is still progress!
Don’t compare yourself to others. (this is HUGE!)
Show compassion—to yourself and others.
Embrace imperfection: we’re all just doing our best. I always refer to myself as a “recovering perfectionist”.
Reflect regularly on the person you want to be. Continually have visions & goals for yourself.
Never stop learning or growing.
Habits That Support Well-Being
Create a routine and build in new habits gradually.
Say no when needed. (Extremely hard, but so worth it once you let go of that initial guilt you may feel from it.)
Manage your time intentionally.
Balance time alone and time with loved ones.
Prioritize good sleep. (The old mantra “'I'll sleep when I'm dead' might just speed up the timeline!)
Keep your space clean and organized.
Move your body daily.
Eat primarily whole foods but maintain a flexible mindset. Enjoy that ice cream or coveted snack every now and then.
Self-care goes far beyond bubble baths. For me, it means asking for help when I need it, being kind to myself, and recognizing even the smallest victories. It’s letting go of comparisons, practicing compassion—for others and myself—and accepting that no one has it all figured out; we’re all just doing our best. It’s staying connected to the person I want to become, always being open to learning, creating routines, and creating new, healthy habits. It’s knowing when to say no, practicing patience, managing my time wisely, and balancing solitude with meaningful time with family. Self-care is prioritizing sleep, keeping my home clean and organized, moving my body daily, staying consistent with training, and maintaining a healthy relationship with food. That includes eating mostly whole, nourishing foods—but also enjoying ice cream or takeout when it fits. That balance is part of my self-care.
Weekly Self-Care Ritual
Create your own unique self-care ritual(s)
What is self-care for you? Self-care to me is made up of my habits, thoughts, and actions.
Here are my key self-care habits:
· Prioritizing movement and doing a variety of forms from day to day
· Going to bed on time instead of staying up late watching too much TV or spending too much time on social media.
· Asking for help instead of struggling alone (This is a hard one for me, but I work on it as much as I can!)
· Practicing self-compassion and letting go of perfectionism
· Celebrating small wins and progress
· Avoiding comparisons to others
· Tidying up before bed so the morning feels calmer & less stressed
· Staying hydrated and fueling your body with care
· Spending quality time with loved ones
· Saying “no” when your energy is low or your plate is full
Grab your FREE guide Creating Healthy Habits help guide you on the most effective and efficient ways to start and stick to new healthy habits!
Reference: Martínez N, Connelly CD, Pérez A, Calero P. Self-care: A concept analysis. Int J Nurs Sci. 2021 Sep 5;8(4):418-425. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnss.2021.08.007. PMID: 34631992; PMCID: PMC8488814
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