Self Care: You Gotta Nourish To Flourish & Embracing Individuality

WHAT IS SELFCARE?

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE?

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Editor's Note Welcome everyone! Welcome everyone!

You are now reading the much-awaited Issue of Illuminate Care Publications with the theme Self Care: You Gotta Nourish To Flourish & Embracing Individuality. The magazine in front of you is the fruit of the editorial board's perseverance, hard work, and commitment to promoting self-care, how beneficial it is, and what change does it make in our everyday lives.

Illuminate Care Magazine is a publication from 1M3 that dwells to promote "self-care" from the word "Illuminate" we want to inspire others to start practicing self-care and embrace their individuality in order to glow and brighten up!

As you go on to read the rest of this magazine, I hope you gain fresh insights, views, and knowledge not only about self-care but also about embracing your individuality. The entire editorial board hopes that this magazine will educate readers how to better care for and appreciate themselves. After all, we all want to see our readers in their most authentic, outrageous, radiant, and unapologetic selves, living their best lives.

WHAT IS SELF-CARE?

Do you feel related to the lyrics "It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me " from the song Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift? If you ever did, what do you think is the reason why a lot of people felt this way? Is it because of the burden or pressure to be perfect and not commit mistakes? Or maybe because they were too focused on other things, they weren't able to do or apply self-care?

A common misconception about self-care is that it is often mistaken for being selfish or self-indulgent, which is certainly not true because they are different from each other According to the World Health Organization (WHO), self-care is the capability of an individual, a family, or a community to promote and maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid diseases, and know how to deal with an illness or disability, with or without the help of a healthcare professional. It is focused on the self-improvement of an individual and keeping the self at peace because they are able to protect and take care of it from the danger that surrounds them. Taking care of yourself and keeping your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves healthy is part of self-care. Self-care can be demonstrated in numerous circumstances, for example, by exercising, having a healthy lifestyle, or even just getting enough sleep every night As long as you can see improvements within yourself, it can be considered self-care.

As mentioned by Dr Manuel Dayrit, former health secretary, Filipinos do understand the concept of selfcare. However, most Filipinos have a hard time applying and practicing it due to limited literacy He further argued that most of the literary work that he discovered regarding self-care in the Philippines talks about either herbal medications or traditional practices Which shows that most Filipinos think and believe that self-care is mainly about relying on certain medications when they get sick and practicing their beliefs in order to stay healthy and be able to take care of themselves

Self-care is essential to sustaining physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. It includes taking deliberate steps to care for oneself, such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising on a regular basis, managing stress, and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation.

Here are some of the reasons why self-care is important: 1.

Enhances overall well-being: When you take care of yourself, you ' re better equipped to handle life's challenges and stressors. Self-care helps you feel more energized, focused, and productive.

Self-care activities such as meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Boosts immune function: Regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep all support a strong immune system, which is crucial for overall health.

Improves mood and emotional health: Engaging in activities that bring you joy or spending time with loved ones can boost your mood and emotional well-being.

Prevents burnout: Taking time to care for yourself can avoid burnout and help you maintain a better work-life balance

Have you ever had that sense of refreshment after a relaxing and enjoyable activity? It's similar to getting into bed with freshly laundered sheets or imagining yourself in a new outfit. If so, you have likely indulged in self-care!

Additionally, here are some of the benefits of self-care that we might not know according to Sarah Turino (2021) a holistic wellness instructor:

Self-care increases the feeling of worthiness -

According to her, the most profound aspect of self-care is that it serves as a powerful reminder of our own significance in our own life. It serves as a reminder that we are valuable individual who deserves to take care of ourselves.

Self-care increases self-confidence - This is also related to worthiness. Basically, you face the world with greater confidence when you are nourished and feeling better You'll feel better about yourself if you ' re less worn out. Self-care encourages us to concentrate solely on our own growth and development.

Self-care benefits everyone around you - She pointed out that when we take care of ourselves, we also take care of those around us because we do it from a place of fulfillment and replenishment. Everybody seems to be able to tell that we ' ve been taking care of yourselves because of our aura!

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Top 6 techniques

FOR DOING SELF-CARE

14 March 2023

ConsumeHealthy Foods

If you are not getting enough nutrients for your body then, you will be drained physically and mentally. That is why eating a proper meal everyday can nourish your body’s energy.

Be selfcompassionate

You have to learn to be selfcompassionate Always remember to “ pay attention to how you selftalk and/or how you might speak about yourself to others or to someone you care about If you have noticed how you talk, you must try to change how you self-talk by talking with care/love

Giveyourself pampering

Remember to “treat yourself”. Give yourself time to breathe after a long tiring exam or day. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just by resting, treating yourself out by; buying something you like, food, clothing, or things you need. Sometimes it is alright to spoil yourself especially when you know you deserve it

Nourish To Flourish

Haveenoughrest everyday

You have to learn to rest and have 8 hours of sleep every night because not having the right amount of rest can lead to having short-term memory loss, a risk of having Alzheimer's, dementia and heart attacks. Moreover, you must always ask yourself why you should wake up early.

Journalingor KeepaJournal

This is effective emotional self-care since it can help you understand and process your emotions You don’t have to journal all day, even just 5 minutes of your time is enough.

Learntosay“NO”

Healthier skin

Yourskincanshow signsofroughnights infinelinesand wrinkles,paleness, andswollenordroopy eyelids.Acneisalso associatedwithsleep deprivation.

Practice saying “NO” since this includes acknowledging and honoring your boundaries Most individuals struggle with this and have to commit to things even if they don’t want it or have already a lot on their plate. Learning how to say “NO” can lead you to a peaceful mind and life.

VARIOUSCONCEPTSOFSELF

14 March 2023

Physical self-care technique: Yoga

Yoga is a physical self-care technique that has numerous benefits for the body, such as increasing flexibility and reducing stress It involves a series of postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, which can be done in a class or at home Practicing yoga regularly can improve overall physical health and well-being (Rioux, 2021)

Material self-care technique: Decluttering

Decluttering is a material self-care technique that involves getting rid of unwanted items in the home or workspace

This technique can improve mental health, reduce stress, and increase productivity

Decluttering can be done by donating, selling, or discarding items that are no longer needed (Leake, 2019).

Nourish To Flourish

Digital self-care technique: Mindful technology use

Mindful technology use is a digital self-care technique that involves using technology in a deliberate and intentional way. This technique helps to reduce stress and improve mental health by avoiding mindless scrolling and constant notifications. Practicing mindful technology use can involve setting boundaries, such as turning off notifications during certain times of the day or limiting social media use (Eckhoff, 2021).

Material self-care technique: Reduce the use of social media

On social media, seeing pictures of people's luxurious lifestyles on a regular basis might make us feel jealous or the materials we own is not enough To level with everyone else or "clout chasing", we could start to feel the urge to excessively buy and desire more Limiting social media, we'll be less susceptible to being swayed by other people's material goods. (Adam, 2022).

VARIOUS CONCEPTS OF SELF Nourish To Flourish

14 March 2023

Emotional self-care technique: Journaling

Journaling is an emotional self-care technique that involves writing down thoughts, feelings, and experiences This technique can help individuals to process emotions, reduce stress, and increase selfawareness. Journaling can be done in a notebook or through digital platforms, such as apps or websites

(Smith, 2021)

Political self-care technique: Read Read Read

Knowing what is presently going on in the country is crucial for political engagement. As long as it doesn't negatively impact your mental wellbeing, try to keep up with the news as much as you can Reading the news is a good approach to regularly learn new information about the political environment.

(Semaan, 2021)

Sexual self-care technique: Establish your Support System

Spiritual selfcare technique: Meditation

We can reach our more insightful selves through meditation, which helps us take a break from our cognitive minds and listen into the desires and needs of our souls.

A supportive and understanding support system is essential You'll need social connections to whom you may turn for understanding assistance if you want to rant or seek advice. Starting with your peers is a good idea For instance, there is still a great lot of ignorance and misinformation on issues of gender Don't be hesitant to genuinely lean on your people when you ' ve already discovered them.

To further know how Filipinos apply and practice self-care, the group decided to conduct a survey to collect and assess their answers. The survey gathered a total of 55 respondents, of whom 37 were female and 18 were male. Out of the 55 respondents, 39 of them said that they are part of Gen Z, which is those who are 9–24 years old. Meanwhile, 6 of them are part of the millennials, which are those who are 25–40 years old, and 10 of them are part of Gen X, which are those who are 41–56 years old. This shows that most people from Gen Z are the ones who practice self-care more compared to the other generations. The survey was divided into six parts, each containing questions or scenarios about the physical, sexual, material/economic, spiritual, political, and digital selves. The respondents were then asked to rate it from a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being they strongly disagree with the scenario and 5 being they strongly agree with it.

The Survey Physical Self

Under the Physical Self, there were five scenarios given, and the respondents were asked to rate the scenarios on a scale of 1 to 5 on how much they relate to it, 1 being they strongly disagree and 5 being they strongly agree. The five scenarios are the following: “I exercise regularly”; “I eat 3 meals a day.”; “I take care of my health.”; “I have regular medical checkups for precaution.’’; “I get enough sleep.” The results of the survey show that the first, third, and fifth scenarios have the most answers of “neither agree nor disagree” which is the third option of answers. While the second scenario has the most answers of “strongly agree”, and the fourth scenario has the most answers of “strongly disagree”.

Sexual Self

For sexual self, six scenarios were also given, and respondents were asked to rate them from 1 to 5. The given scenarios are the following: first, "I am free to wear whatever I want."; second, "I am able to express what my gender identity is."; third, "I do engage in sexual activities to fulfill my sexual desires and wants."; fourth, "I have considered the usage of contraceptives if I am currently or will engage in sexual activities."; fifth, "I am free to love who I want even if it is with the same gender."; and the last is, "I am able to show the people close to me who I truly am." The results show that among the six given scenarios, only the third scenario got the most answers in "strongly disagree," while the rest got most answers in "strongly agree."

The Survey

Spiritual Self

For spiritual self, six scenarios were given, and respondents were asked to rate them from 1 to 5. The given scenarios are the following: first, “I am attending masses every Sunday.”; second, “I seek help and guidance from God whenever I'm going through a hard time.”; third, “I participate in church or religious related activities.”; fourth, “I do prayers every day.”; fifth, “I feel that I am connected and have a strong relationship with God.”; and the last is, “I have a regular time in a day where I will read the Bible or do the rosary.” The results show that the first and third scenario got the most answers in "neutral", the second, fourth, and fifth scenario got the most answers in "strongly agree" while the last scenario got the most answers in "strongly disagree."

Digital Self

Lastly, under the Digital self portion of the survey, there were also five scenarios given, and the respondents were also asked to rate scenarios on a scale of 1 to 5 on how much they relate to it - 1 being they strongly disagree and 5 being they strongly agree. The five scenarios are the following: “I take an eye break from screens”; “I enjoy playing video games”; “I know my limits in using gadgets”; “I regularly order from different shopping websites to relieve stress.”; “ enjoy making use of social media to share my life.”. The results of the survey show that the first and the scenario have the most answers of “somewhat agree” which is the fourth option among the possible answers. While the fourth and fifth scenarios have the most answers of “neither agree nor disagree” which is the third option, and the second scenario has the most answers of “strongly agree”.

The Survey

MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF

According to Boston University (n.d.) that limiting social media, helps us to be less susceptible to being swayed by other people's material goods.

It was asked in the survey if the respondents limit themselves from social media. The majority of the respondents answered on a scale of 3 to 4. The group concluded that the respondents could manageably regulate their use of social media but not that much.

What will they do if they lost their material possessions?

Are they thankful of what they have now?

You'll notice that your perspective changes when you allow yourself to be grateful for what you have rather than constantly desire more. You'll begin to value your possessions more. And finally, give up the want to purchase new items all the time (Adam, 2022).

It was asked on the survey if the respondent is thankful for what he/she has now, and the majority of the respondents answered on a scale of 5. The group concluded that most of the respondents are thankful for what they have now.

It might help us let go of our attachment to material possessions when we accept that everything we have in this life is temporary (Adam, 2022).

It is asked on the survey if the respondent lost his/her material possessions, he/she will be quite upset but will recover within a few days. The majority of the respondents answered ranging on a scale of 3 to 4.

It is also asked if the respondent lost his/her material possessions, whether he/she does not care about it, and what matters is he/she is alive. The majority of the respondents answered on a scale ranging 4 to 5.

The Survey

When receiving a monthly paycheck, what will they do with the money?

What will they do if they see a luxurious car?

You won't be tempted to acquire a lot of material possessions because you'll be saving money. There are many advantages to living a simple lifestyle and owning fewer goods, including the ability to save more money for emergencies (Adam, 2022)

In the survey, asked is the scenario of receiving a monthly paycheck, what will he/she do with the money? 60% of the respondents answered to spend half of it on material possessions and save the other half. The group came to the conclusion that the majority of respondents saved money by only purchasing what they really needed.

Those who are materialistic frequently base their self-image on their assets and the impression they show to others. Materialistic people enjoy bragging about their possessions. It can be a brand-new automobile or smartphone, or they managed to obtain a possession that other people desired. (Adam, 2022)

It is asked in the survey if what the respondent feels if he/she sees someone driving a fancy car. 47.3% answered that seeing others’ success makes them happy, while 32.7% answered that they don’t feel much since they don’t desire to own luxurious cars, and the remaining 20%, feel jealous since they deeply want to have that kind of lifesyle.

POLITICAL SELF

As the group conducted the survey, they based on the average of each age group regarding their political awareness. The range was 5 being the most politically aware and 1 being apolitical. Gen Z has the highest average of 3.54, Millennials with 3.3, and the lowest average was Gen X with 2.6. Interpreting the data, Gen Z is the most politically aware than the other age groups.

The Survey

According to Norwood (2020), young people are not only curious about politics; they are actively involved. Gen Z is more diversified and more politically aware than Millennials and Gen X. It is a generation that is concerned about social issues, wants to address them, and most importantly sees politics or the use of political institutions as a means of resolving those issues.

Also, asked in the survey, if the respondent is not interested in politics since it does not affect their wellbeing. The range was 5 if strongly agree to 1 if strongly disagree. Gen X has the highest average of 2.83, Millennials with 2.40, and the lowest average Gen Z at 1.92. The group interpreted that some Gen X and Millennials may be apolitical.

Conclusion of the Survey

To sum it up, the results of the survey shows that self-care is actually evident and people shows signs of practicing self-care in various ways. Based on the results, it is safe to assume that the respondents can further improve on taking care of themselves. Dr. Manuel Dayrit may have mentioned that Filipinos have a hard time applying self-care, but actually Filipinos were unaware that they have been doing it already for a long time. Self-care is definitely beneficial for us as we get to love and cherish not only our outer self but also our inner self. It is not selfish as it doesn't have the intention of harming others, but instead it has the intention to help us be mindful of the changes happening in our thoughts and behavior.

THE INTERVIEW: KEY TO SELF-CARE

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

A self-care activity that brings me the most enjoyment is playing my musical instruments. I do it everyday (given that I have access to it) and I consider it as part of my routine.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

Brae Terbio

Age: 21

Pronouns: He/Him

Sexuality: Transgender

When I'm stressed or overwhelmed, I take a moment to assess what could be triggering these feelings. I then prioritize self-care activities such as taking a break from tasks, cleaning my room, taking a shower, and playing my instruments and video games.

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting self-care?

Neglecting self-care can lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. This results in unhealthy habits and negatively affects your overall health and productivity. It's important to prioritize selfcare and make it a regular part of your routine.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

I recommend starting it nice and easy by finding out what activities bring them happiness and comfort, such as reading a book or taking a relaxing bath. It ’ s not always the same for everyone, which is why it ’ s okay to take your time discovering. It's important to also understand that they should never feel guilty for taking the time to care for themselves.

Brae Terbio

Age: 21

Pronouns: He/Him

Sexuality: Transgender

Aboutme

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

I recommend starting it nice and easy by finding out what activities bring them happiness and comfort, such as reading a book or taking a relaxing bath. It ’ s not always the same for everyone, which is why it ’ s okay to take your time discovering. It's important to also understand that they should never feel guilty for taking the time to care for themselves.

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

Engaging in self-care is essential for my mental and emotional well-being. It helps me manage stress and anxiety, boosts my mood, and allows me to be more productive and present in my everyday life. To truly benefit from self-care, it's key to prioritize it and incorporate it into your daily routine.

ADDITIONALSEPARATEQUESTIONFORLGBTQCommunity

Inrelationtoyourcomingoutstory,howdidyouadjusttoyourself-care(?)

Myfamily ’sacceptanceofmeasatransmanwasamajorturningpointinmylife,one thatrequiredsignificantchangesandadjustments.Imadeself-careapriorityasoneof mycopingmechanisms.Makingart,philosophicalreads,playingguitar,playingvideo games,prioritizingcleanlinessandtidiness,wereallactivitiesthathelpedmecopewith thestressandanxietyofcomingout.Ifoundthatspendingtimewithmyguitarand makingarthelpedmeprocessmyemotionsandexpressmyselfcreatively.Philosophical readshelpedmeunderstandmyselfbetterandexploremycharacterfurther.Playing videogamesallowedmetoescapeintoadifferentworldandtakemymindoffthings temporarily.Prioritizingcleanlinessandtidinesswereboththerapeuticactivitiesthat helpedmefeelproductiveandaccomplished.Overall,adjustingtomyself-careroutine wascrucialduringthistime,asithelpedmemanagemyemotionsandprioritizemy mentalandemotionalwell-being.Engaginginself-careactivitiesallowedmetocope withthechallengesofcomingoutandhelpedmefeelmoreincontrolofmylife.

Alessandra Sison

Age: 19

Pronouns: she/her

Sexuality:Idon'tlabel myself.

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

I take care of my skin every day, not just my face but the entire body. From time to time I watch a video or listen to a podcast that can help me improve myself, like my confidence. Another act of self-care is to remind myself to eat each day.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

Sometimes I don't take care of myself because I'm too lazy, and other times I take care of myself too much and hurt myself. For instance, I'm stressed and having a bath, I accidentally rub my body with a loofah too much to the point that it hurts.

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting self-care?

Probably acne, and everything will feel dirty.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

It's a responsibility, and remember, you do it for yourself.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

It's a responsibility, and remember, you do it for yourself.

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

because it's not only good physically but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Its benefits are simply that it makes you feel loved, happy, and at peace.

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

The self-care activity that brings me enjoyment is playing basketball, and I often do this task when it's weekends but sometimes we have it on weekdays because we have a basketball league when it's Saturday and Sunday.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

Lewis Sefuentes

Age: 18

Pronouns: He/Him

Sexuality: Male

I approach my self-care when I feel stressed or overwhelmed by going to my games because it can make my mind calm and peaceful away from stress

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting self-care?

The negative consequences of neglecting self-care can make you lose confidence and lose interest in your hobbies. We don't take time to be better to ourselves.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of selfcare and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

The advice that I will give to someone who is new to the concept of self and wants to start incorporating it into their lives is to focus on their future and live through their past hurts.

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

Self-care entails making the time to do things that enhance your quality of life and your physical and mental well-being. Self-care can improve your energy levels, reduce your risk of sickness, and help you manage stress when it comes to your mental health.

Jen Argote

Age: 18

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

My self-care activity is going out with my friends like chill lang talaga for example mag visit kami ng bagong coffee shop then mag kkwentuhan lang kami dun about sa life. Tbh nakakawala siya ng stress especially kung yung taong kasama mo is very comforting ng vibe niya and you feel very comfortable around them. pero since marami tayong ginagawa medj madalang ko siya nagagawa but when I can go out with them, kahit maraming task pinipilit ko talaga since it brings me enjoyment.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

If I feel stress or overwhelmed, usually gusto ko talaga pumupunta sa beach pero since malayo nga yung beach, nag-oopt ako na mag coffee na lang with friends sa iba ’ t ibang cafes near me. Pero aside from that, minimake sure ko na i still take my vitamins and eat on time kasi syempre kahit stressed ka kelangan mo parin alagaan sarili mo.

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting self-care?

I think yung nagiging consequence niya sa akin kapag hindi ako nakakapag self care is nagkakaroon ako ng breakdowns or sobrang naddrain ako kasi ang nasa isip ko talaga is to relax. So as a result rin hindi ako nagiging productive with the things that i need to do.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

Ang advice ko is don't be too hard on yourself. Take time to process things and give yourself a break. Walang masama magpahinga since the more na pagod ka, the more na hindi mo maaccomplish ng maayos yung mga tasks or activties na kelangan mo gawin.

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

It is important to engage in self care para na mabigyan pansin mo yung physical health and mental health ko. Yung benefits nito sakin ay nakakapag improve to ng concentration para mas maging focused ka sa tasks or duties na need mo gawin and nakakabawas ng stress.

Cha Marasigan

Age: 19

Pronouns: she/her

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

For me, i think having a me-time and skincare because i love doing things that can pamper myself. I often do this mga 3x a week and I make sure to never missed it. It ’ s very important for me to do this because this does not only brings me enjoyment but also allows my body to rest and feel like it is taken care of.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

When I feel stressed or overwhelmed i make sure na mag-aallot talaga ako ng time to do at least the bare minimum na self-care para kahit papaano di ko mapabayaan sarili ko. As simple as washing your face or saying positive affirmations will do na for me and can positively cheer me up.

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting selfcare?

I think the negative consequences of neglecting self-care would be getting easily agitated or feeling worse about yourself, having a messy surroundings, and feeling like u don ’ t hav your life together.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

It doesn ’ t always have to be big, like gawin mo lang kung ano yung makakapagpasaya or makakapagcomfort sayo. You don ’ t have to follow these self-care trends kasi just like what they always say, what works for me might not work for you. It is very important for me to engage in self-care because it has an impact on my personal growth as a person. It allows me to reflect on the things that I lack and can improve pa. I think the benefits would be, physically: glow up, mentally: having a positive mindset, emotionally: taking care of your emotions and handling it well

Nadine Soriano

Age: 18

Pronouns: she/her

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

To be honest, pinaka main self-care ko talaga is matulog hahaha! Kasi since most of the time napupuyat ko sarili ko doing requirements kaya feel ko pag may enough sleep ako or pag na a-allow ko sarili ko na makatulog, parang naaalagaan ko nang maayos sarili ko. Pero besides that, I usually spend time for myself like legit nagdidisconnect ako sa tao ng mga ilang oras then naglalakad, or tinitreat ko sarili ko by buying food or mga gamit. I don't know basta anything na nagbibigay ng peace and calm sa sarili ko is something na naeenjoy ko gawin and I make sure na I do self-care activities every day.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting self-care?

For me, very important talaga ang self-care and if we neglect selfcare, feel ko you'll feel low and unproductive. Parang wala kang gana to do things kaya minsas you'll end up walang naaacomplish or worse, you feel bad or get sad about things easily or even to your self. Diyan na magsisimula yung mga instances na you question yourself or even loose yung confidence or ung tiwala mo sa sarili mo.

Kapag stressed naman ako, hindi ko hinahayaan na mapabayaan ko sarili ko. Like kahit ang daming gagawin I make sure na my body is still taken care of. Kaya kapag ganyan, minemake sure ko na I drink enough water, eat at least 2-3 meals, and maligo; basic things lang pero by doing so, na aassure ko sarili ko na I am providing enough care sa sarili ko. Kasi if I'm able to these things, everything will follow na eh, having a well taken care body makes me feel more alive and mas magaan kumilos lalo kapag stressed or overwhelmed sa mga bagay bagay

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

You do you. Don't get too pressured sa mga external factors na parang ung iba ang self-care is something na kailangan gumastos nang sobra. Take it as a step-by-step process for your self and always make remember na this is about you, so listen to what you want and need para maincorporate mo efficiently and effectively yung self-care na need mo.

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

Self-care is very important since this is our way of showing love sa sarili natin. Being able to take care of ourselves can help us know more ourselves and make ourselves better. This is also our exploration kasi ng sarili natin and I think this is where we can build up our self-esteem.

Sofia Vicente

Age: 19

Pronouns: she/her

Aboutme

What self-care activity brings you enjoyment and how often do you do this task?

Personally, self care for me is ang paggastos sa food, skin care and clothes. Everytime I buy new clothes, discover new food and splurge on skincare, sobra sobra na happiness ko. It ’ s my way of treating myself every once in a while. I usually do this whenever I feel like I deserve it, probably 2-3 times a month just to keep me sane. Also, it ’ s not just about the material things but the memories that comes with it. Every day spent with people I value is also my form of self-care.

How do you approach self-care when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

Given the benefits of self-care, what are the negative consequences of neglecting selfcare?

One would probably stress because once you let yourself accept negativity, it would ruin your mood and self esteem. There are so many ways to take care of yourself and pag pinili mong hindi mag effort then there’s no improvement especially if u wanna be better.

I rest and take a time off from everything. I invest in skincare and make use of them before I sleep so that I have nothing to worry about when I wake up. I look back to those pictures where I feel the happiest kaya may times na need ko talaga mga friends ko as a way of relaxing. Sometimes, all that you need is their presence and comfortable silence

What advice would you give to someone who is new to the concept of self-care and wants to start incorporating it into their life?

Just be yourself and everything will fall into place. You don ’ t have to rush or pretend someone na di nmn ikaw kas personally naexperience ko yun. I tried to be someone because I admire her pero I realized na I ’ m changing myself along the way and nanonotice ng friends ko. Sadly nagka argument pero nagka ayos na kmi and even now we still see each other. Iba talaga pag you have your own aura kasi people will start to appreciate you for who you are.

Why is it essential/important for you to engage in self-care? What are its benefits?

Self care is not just about the physical aspect of it but the inner peace it gives you in terms of mental, social and emotional. Once you engage in self care, it boosts your confidence and mas magiging open ka to criticism. Once you are satisfied with yourself, opinions of others won ’ t affect you kaya mas strong yung foundation mo as a person especially when love starts within yourself.

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Eckhoff, R (2021) Digital self-care: Mindful technology use Verywell Mind Retrieved fromhttps://wwwverywellmindcom/digital-self-care-mindful-technology-use-4846198

Lawler, M (2021, May 19) What Is Self-Care and Why Is It So Important for Your Health?EverydayHealth Retrievedfromhttps://wwweverydayhealthcom/self-care/

Leake, S (2019) Declutter your way to a happier, healthier you NHS

https://wwwnhsuk/live-well/healthy-body/declutter-your-way-to-a-happier-healthier-you/

Adam, J. (2022). How To Be Less Materialistic.

https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/blog/how-to-be-less-materialistic/

Norwood, C. (2020). How new Gen Z voters could shape the election.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-new-gen-z-voters-could-shape-the-election

Rioux, L. (2021). Yoga for beginners: A guide to yoga poses and benefits. Healthline Media.https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/yoga-for-beginners

Smith, M. (2021). How to start journaling for mental health. HelpGuide.

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/how-to-start-journaling-for-mentalhealth.htm

Turino, S. (2021, February 17). [web log]. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.sarahturino.com/blog/10-benefits-of-self-care-that-might-surprise-you. Boston University. (n.d.). Coping with Socio-Political Stress

https://www.bu.edu/shs/behavioral-medicine/behavioral-resources/coping-with-sociopolitical-stress/

Visco,R.(2022,August10).Pinoysknowself-carebutdonotpracticeit–study.Business Mirror. Retrieved from https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/10/pinoys-know-self-carebut-do-not-practice-it-study/

ILLUMINATE CARE PUBLICATIONS

ILLUMINATE CARE PUBLICATIONS CREATED THIS MAGAZINE ISSUE TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HARD TIME TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES. FROM THE THEME AND TITLE TO THE LAST PAGE OF CONTENTS, IT IS ALL ABOUT PROMOTING SELFCARE. OUR GOAL IS TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE INDIVIDUALS, THUS, WE GAVE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION YOU CAN MAKE USE OF TO START TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES.

"Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what's left of you.

"

-Katie Reed

"Self-care is how you take your power back."

- Lalah Delia