May is Mental Health Awareness Month; what better time is there to talk about the importance of self-care?  We’ve been through a lot in the past few years: a pandemic that brought human loss, isolation, fear, and unemployment; and a resurgence of virulent racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic attacks. Their impact is real, and they can all increase anxiety, depression and hopelessness.

Self-care greatly reduces anxiety, stress and depression, and it increases happiness. It’s something we not only do for ourselves, but to support our relationships with friends, families, and colleagues.  Very often we suffer alone in silence; but we don’t have to. Reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength and self-love.

When it comes to self-care, it all starts with making the time to take care of yourself. We often know what we need to do, but we don’t prioritize it

Check out this slide show of self-care activities. We all have our own strategies; what can you add?