When we think about self-care we often think about it in an individualistic context. Truth be told self-care is a crucial component to creating and maintaining a health relationship with your partner.
Self-care is rather simple, it’s figuring out and achieving your needs. But viewing self-care in the context of a relationship adds an extra piece that includes the process of communicating your needs to your partner. Encompassing; establishing your needs, communicating your needs, and fulfilling your needs.
Self-care is crucial to enhancing and strengthening your relationship. Why you ask? Let’s Because relationships suffer without self-care. When you are feeling stressed it is easy to take that out on your partner, potentially creating resentment and an overall disconnect within the relationship. If you are not meeting your own needs how can you expect to meet your partners needs? Self-care creates self-awareness and helps make you more emotionally available to your partner. Like the airlines tell us, you’ve got to put your own oxygen mask on before you can help those around you. Self-care strengthens a relationship and fosters connection, it builds a sense of self-worth where the “me” does not get lost in the “we”.
There are three main components of self-care; physical self-care, emotional self-care, and spiritual self-care. Physical self-care is taking care of you actual physical body. Emotional self-care is taking care of your thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Lastly, spiritual self-care is centered on staying connected to the things that help you feel grounded and give you a sense of purpose.
Remember, your partner can’t always be there for you, but self-care can!!!
Self-care is designed to reduce stress and promote one’s well-being. It helps to improve our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
So why is self-care so important within a relationship? Below are several things to keep in mind;
*No one can pour from an empty cup. Meaning, when your emotional energy is drained and you do nothing to replenish and stock your emotional reserves, you struggle to be present for not only yourself but for your partner.
*When you feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually satisfied you have healthier relationships. When you take time to do things that genuinely fill your cup you create more positive energy and that energy attracts heathier connections.
*Stress management. Life is full of everyday stressors, and when you’re stressed it is easy to take that stress out on others. Self-care can help you effectively manage stress and reduce potential conflict within your relationships.
*Maintaining your identity. Meaning within a relationship it is easy to become enmeshed with your partner and lose sight of your own individuality. Self-care is an outlet to nurture your own physical, emotional, and spiritual self to help strengthen your sense of self within the relationship.
*Healthy boundaries. Self-care emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries. When you put yourself first you teach your partner how to great you and create a relationship centered on mutual respect and love.
*Communication and empathy. Self-care is a time of self-reflection and it can improve your communication skills to better empathize and sympathize with your partner and handle challenges more effectively.
May the Force be with you,
Angelina Taylor, MSPsy, MAMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist
http://www.akconfluence.com/ Phone 907.313.4433 Ext. 106
