The Self-Care
STACK
A fresh perspective on a traditional concept
Let’s Rethink Self-Care
How do we typically define self-care? At its core, most of us understand self-care as a way that enables us to take charge of our own health with the tools and resources we have. It’s a broad concept that encompasses a variety of practices designed to enhance or maintain overall well-being—whether physical, mental, or emotional.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as:
"The ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and manage illness and disability, with or without the help of a healthcare provider."
Self-care includes a wide range of activities, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, seeking medical attention when needed, and engaging in practices that foster emotional and mental wellness.
Why do we need
Self-Care?
We need self-care to consistently show up in the world in all the ways that matter to us. By prioritizing our mental and physical health, we ensure we have the energy, resilience, and overall well-being needed to be present and engaged in our relationships, jobs, passions, and causes.
Taking care of our mental health through mindfulness, relaxation, and support helps us manage stress and stay emotionally balanced.
Similarly, maintaining our physical health through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep keeps us strong and vibrant.
Ultimately, self-care allows us to be our most authentic, real, and helpful selves in every aspect of life
Potential Issues | Mental Health Impact | Physical Health Impact |
Chronic Stress | Leads to anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion |
|
Poor Emotional Balance | Results in irritability, mood swings, and difficulty handling stress |
|
Lack of Energy | Causes decreased motivation, concentration issues, and burnout |
|
Shocking Stats
Since 2016, there has been a general decline in the mental health of the majority, underscoring the importance of regular self-care and self-regulation.
- In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness.
- By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have – or have had – a mental illness.
- On average, workers in Canada are absent from work due to mental health for 12 days, finds the survey of more than 500 Canadians (Future Skills Centre Report 2023).
- 50% of survey respondents indicate that work affected their mental health, with 35% experiencing burnout (Future Skills Centre Report 2023).
- Approximately 500,000 Canadians miss work every week due to mental illness, according to a report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
What’s stopping us from Self-Care?
Even those aware of self-care often don't practice it regularly due to busy schedules, seeing it as selfish, believing it requires significant time or money, facing mental health stigma, or lacking practical information, all of which prevent its incorporation into daily routines. These barriers collectively contribute to the neglect of self-care, even among those who recognize its importance.
Time Constraints
Busy schedules and responsibilities make finding time for self-care difficult.
Perceived Selfishness
Some view self-care as selfish and prioritize others' needs.
Lack of Awareness
Not everyone understands what self-care involves or its benefits.
Unrealistic Expectations
Believing self-care requires significant time or money can discourage practice.
Lack of Knowledge
Without practical information, people may struggle to implement self-care effectively.
What is the Solution?
The key is to make self-care super easy for us by giving ourselves clear, practical tips and tools. We can fit self-care into our busy lives with small, doable steps. We can make self-care feel achievable by setting realistic expectations and celebrating our small wins. By providing ongoing support and encouragement to each other, we can build self-care into our lives in a sustainable way. That’s how we turn self-care from a fancy word into a real, everyday thing.
A Fresh Perspective
The Self-Care Stack
"The Self-Care Stack" is an innovative and practical approach to self-care designed to make it easy and accessible for everyone. It involves a structured method where individuals use a variety of self-care elements to discover what best replenishes and supports their well-being.
The Stack encourages self-observation and awareness, helping people cultivate a deeper relationship with themselves. By evaluating which elements of the stack effectively contribute to their self-care, individuals can tailor their practices to meet their unique needs. This process of self-discovery and adjustment makes self-care more personalized and impactful
How are YOU Stacking?
The STACK is a new model and practical approach to self-care that emphasizes taking care of our bodies as foundational to overall well-being. It incorporates rest/sleep, movement, and nutrition. Nervous System Care focuses on the necessary awareness and regulation needed to remain present and calm during difficult conversations, skills that we can develop over time. Emotionally, it's crucial to continually practice and be aware of our feelings and their impact on The STACK. We may move up and down The STACK, but we should always start with our bodies when uncertain. Social connections play a vital role in The STACK. Family, friends, colleagues, and community members can support our STACK more effectively when they are ‘STACKING’ well themselves. This interconnected support system enhances everyone's well-being.
Body Care
Body care is a crucial, accessible part of self-care, addressing fundamental needs like nutrition, sleep, and movement, forming the foundation for overall well-being. These tangible aspects of body care are vital, as it's challenging to address other self-care areas if these basic needs are unmet.
Nervous System
Care
Nervous system care is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of self-care, as it filters our perception of reality and affects how we handle stress and trauma. Observing when you feel regulated versus dysregulated is crucial since our nervous system's state significantly impacts our feelings and behaviors.
Emotional and Behavioral Care
Emotional and behavioral self-care are key to overall well-being. Emotional self-care involves recognizing, understanding, and managing our emotions, while behavioral self-care focuses on identifying and adjusting habits that impact our health.
How to Book a Course
Dive into "The Self-Care Stack" with our engaging and interactive course designed to make learning about self-care both fun and practical!
In this course, you’ll explore the concept of "The Self-Care Stack"—a dynamic approach to integrating self-care into your daily routine.
Our course is packed with interactive elements to help you understand and apply self-care techniques effectively.
Live Training Session
Want to get your entire team trained?
Sign up for one of our live training sessions.
Sign up here: The Self-Care Stack Live Training Session
Pre-Recorded Course
Want to learn at your own pace?
Sign up for our pre-recorded interactive course.
Sign up here: The Self-Care Stack Pre-Recorded Training Session
Ready to integrate self-care into your daily routine in a simple, practical way?
Let’s Chat!
Book a meeting with Sherry Lachine, the lead facilitator and owner of Broadmind Inc.
Calendly
email
phone
1 (613) 484-2977
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