You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup - Why Self Care is Important

Many of us have heard the phrase "you can't pour from an empty cup," but do we really know what that means? When our cups are empty, we may not feel fulfilled, joyus, or like we can be present in our day to day activities and for those we love. 

How We Reach Burnout

In this day and age we easily get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and forget to take time for ourselves. With empty cups we often reach burnout, which can lead to an increased chance of health concerns and mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in America, over 43 million individuals experience mental illness in a given year. You heard that right-one in five individuals will experience some form of mental illness.

Take Care of Yourself Before Burnout

It is important to be proactive about self-care and practice it on a daily basis so that we aren’t waiting until we are burned out to take care of ourselves. Below are some quick 5-minute self care tips that can be incorporated into your day-to-day routine, and bonus, are cost effective and accessible. 

Quick and Easy Self-Care Ideas

• Go for a brief walk
• Stretch for five minutes
• Drink a glass of water
• Complete a progressive relaxation/deep breathing exercise 
• Call a loved one
• Write down 5 things you are grateful for 
• Do a random act of kindness 
• Listen to an audio book or favorite playlist 

Even five minutes a day of self care can drastically help to fill our cups and reduce our chance of mental illness. 

For more information, connect with a CHI Health Mental Health Provider. We offer in-person and virtual therapy sessions with our team of licensed mental health therapists.