National Self-Care Day Taught Me How to Prioritize Myself

Summary:

• Feeling overwhelmed in recovery, National Self-Care Day became a reminder to prioritize my well-being, not just “getting better.”
• I used to think self-care was a treat, but it’s actually the foundation for facing challenges in recovery. Simple acts like walks and journaling became daily habits.
• National Self-Care Day highlighted self-kindness as a key to recovery, offering a different path than just control or escape from addiction.
• Self-care isn’t about expensive things – it’s the everyday choices we make to be mentally and physically healthy. This is especially true for those in recovery, where self-care becomes a lifeline.

Before National Self-Care Day, my life resembled a boat tossed by the tempestuous sea, caught in a relentless storm of deadlines, demands, and the draining cycle of addiction recovery. I was so engrossed in the process of ‘getting better’ that I forgot what it felt like to simply be. But every year, when July 24th rolls around, a gentle reminder arrives: National Self-Care Day.

Why Is Self-Care Important?

National Self-Care Day is not just a day. It’s an invitation to turn inwards to honor and nurture the self in a world that often forgets to pause. This day held up a mirror to my life, reflecting a person so busy caring for everything and everyone else that she had faded into the backdrop of her own story.

So, what is a self-care day? I used to imagine it as an indulgence, a luxury afforded to those with time on their hands and fewer dragons to slay. However, this day taught me that self-care is the sword that keeps those dragons at bay. It’s the armor we wear every day to face our battles.

How Do I Celebrate National Self-Care Day While in Recovery?

Having a self-care day started as an experiment for me. It began with the simplest of rituals: a morning without alarms, a nutritious breakfast, time spent journaling my thoughts, and immersing myself in the tranquility of nature. It was in these moments that I found clarity and peace.

As I integrated more self-care day activities into my routine, I realized this was not a practice reserved for a single day. The self-care day list I created—filled with activities like meditation, connecting with loved ones, attending a yoga class, or even seeking out laughter—became a template for daily living.

Even though it takes place on April 5th, it became every day. It became the moment I chose rest over exhaustion, saying ‘no’ when my boundaries were tested, and ‘yes’ to the things that filled my cup. It was a commitment to making life not just bearable but enjoyable.

The journey through addiction is a harrowing one, marked by the pursuit of something elusive—control, escape, relief. National Self-Care Day became a beacon of hope, illuminating a different path that leads to the same destination of peace and contentment, but through kindness and compassion towards oneself.

National self-care activities are not just spa days and bubble baths. They are the choices we make to improve our mental health, physical health, and emotional well-being. It’s finding joy in the small things, permitting ourselves to slow down and acknowledging our worth.

How Self-Care is Vital to My Recovery

This lesson became even more profound when I thought about how self-care impacts those of us in recovery. Self-care for someone fighting addiction isn’t a day off—it’s a lifeline. It’s the realization that to heal, we must prioritize ourselves in a way that’s constructive, nurturing, and forgiving.

On this upcoming National Self-Care Day, and every day after, I urge you to start with one kind act towards yourself. Maybe it’s a walk in the park, reaching out for help, or just taking a moment to breathe deeply and be present. Let every act of self-care be a step towards a stronger, healthier you.

And remember, prioritizing yourself is not a journey you must undertake alone. If you’re navigating the challenges of addiction, support is just a conversation away.

Connect with us at Comfort Recovery. Call us at 866-996-8936 and let us guide you through integrating self-care into your healing process. This National Self-Care Day let’s pledge to make every day a day where we prioritize our health, our needs, and our journey to recovery. Because you are worth it—today and every day that follows.