What is included in the concept of self-care?

The concept of self-care encompasses practices initiated and performed by individuals to maintain or improve their health and well-being. This includes a broad range of activities such as managing stress, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and monitoring one’s own health conditions. Self-care empowers individuals to take an active role in their health, promoting behaviors that prevent illness and enhance quality of life.

Engaging in self-care allows individuals to understand their bodies and health needs better, fostering independence and responsibility for one’s health. It is a fundamental aspect of holistic health and can significantly contribute to overall life satisfaction and well-being.

In contrast, medical interventions and activities performed by healthcare professionals are typically focused on treatment rather than on proactive health maintenance. Government health regulations aim to create frameworks for public health but do not directly involve individual self-care practices. Thus, self-care is fundamentally about the individual’s active engagement in their own health journey.