The ABCs of self-care are ADL
The basic building blocks that measure one's ability to and effectiveness of taking care of themselves are known as Activities of Daily Living, or ADLs. So, self-care is ones ability to manage the activities of daily living, like brushing your teeth, showering, wearing clean clothes, eating, exercising, sleeping. A common misconception about self care is that it is synonymous with treating yourself. Bubble baths, mimosas, fancy dinners. That isn’t really the point of self care.
It is making sure that you are meeting the needs of life. Literally, are you taking care of yourself? Obviously, leisure and rest are a need, and treating yourself is important sometimes. But self care is a lot bigger than that.
Here is a list of ADLs
Bathing
Brushing teeth
Getting dressed
Housework
Laundry
Meal preparation
Eating
Drinking enough water
Shopping
Managing finances
Taking care of pets
Parenting
Sleep
Exercise
Seeking medical attention when necessary
Taking required medications
Working
Maintaining relationships
Rest
Leisure
So when we are talking about self-care, we are talking about these un-glamorous things. Laundry. Cooking. Going to bed on time. Super exciting stuff, I know. But super important.
Here is a super helpful interactive flowchart that walks you through what you need. For example "Have you eaten in the last 4 hours?" If you answer no, it explains why this is important to your well-being (for eating it is pretty obvious, but it's good to have the reminder). Then it tells you to go eat and then come back and continue once you have. It walks you through many aspects of self-care- taking medication, cleaning your surroundings, taking a mental break, and so on. It would be super helpful to walk you through what you need to be in a more healthy physical and mental state. It also could be helpful, when you feel off, to discover what exactly it is that is causing you unease or discomfort.