Do you take better care of charging your phone than yourself?

IBM introduced the world's first smartphone in 1992, since then, it has become an indispensable part of our lives. We rely on this device for communication, entertainment, work and managing our daily routines. Charging our phones has become a second nature to us. We make sure to plug them in when the battery level drops, some of us carry chargers or power banks wherever we go, and it's now common to find charging facilities in public transportation and shops to avoid inconvenient battery deaths. The level of attentiveness and diligence we show toward our devices' battery life is truly impressive. But it begs the question: Are we putting in the same effort and concern when it comes to our own well-being?

It's not uncommon to prioritise work, responsibilities, and various obligations over self-care. We often find ourselves neglecting sleep, skipping meals, overlooking our physical and mental well-being, even though we are well aware that this can lead to chronic stress, fatigue and various health issues in the long run. But why do we continue to do something that puts our health at risk?

When discussing work-life balance and self-care with clients, many express a feeling of having no choice. They can't risk financial instability, or they think self-care requires too much effort and they lack the time and money to invest in it. There are other important needs and commitments in their lives that’s more important. Do any of the following responses resonate with you?

Reflecting on feedback from clients, it seems that many of us assume self-care requires a significant change in our current priorities, whether it’s work, or family related, the thought of these changes and the potential risks can feel more stressful than the existing challenges they face. Some even view self-care as a privilege and that making time for themselves over their family's needs is selfish.

The World Health Organisation described 'Self-care is the ability of individuals, families and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a health worker'.

Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. Just like our phones need regular charging to function optimally. Prioritising self-care means intentionally taking actions to preserve and enhance our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Self-care is not selfish, it allows us to be more productive, efficient, and emotionally available for ourselves and others. It's the same reason why we are instructed to put on our own oxygen masks before assisting others.

Does self-care really consume so much of our time and money? Not necessarily. There are numerous free resources available online that helps and encourage us to practice self-care. Whether it's reading a book, exercising, meditating, or spending quality time with loved ones and yourself, self-care doesn't have to be expensive or require a significant time commitment. If none of the listed options appeal to you, or if you find them too time-consuming, be creative and think of what self-care works for you.

If you have 5 minutes of self-care time today, it could be listening to one of your favourite songs in peace, practicing meditation or deep breathing with your eyes closed, or reach out to someone you've been meaning to connect with for a while. We can all start incorporating self-care into our lives right now by finding a version that works for us.

Our bodies are not machines that can operate perpetually without maintenance. We remember to take care of our phones, but often spare very little effort or time to look inward and check if we're okay. Remember, you are more valuable than your phone. The next time you put your phone down to charge, take a moment to do something that recharges yourself too :)