August also happens to be National Wellness Month, which promotes a focus on stress management and self-care—terms we’ve heard a lot over the past two years. What does self-care mean, and are the benefits backed by science?

Yes. According to the International Self-Care Foundation, self-care “is the foundation of health care” and should be practiced daily for optimum health. The foundation has identified seven pillars of self-care to bring consistency to the many conflicting definitions of this term:

• Knowledge and Health Literacy. Know where to go for reliable information about health and gain an understanding about how to interpret health-related information.
• Mental Wellbeing. Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as a “state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Transocean offers a number of tools and resources to support your mental wellbeing, including the Employee Assistance Program and the Sanvello app for self-guided relaxation to help reduce stress.
• Physical Activity. Burning energy through bodily movement provides many benefits, including weight control; a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and some types of cancers; stress reduction; better sleep; and a reduced risk of fractures.
• Healthy Eating. It’s never too late to improve your eating habits, which is one key to longevity. If you need a nudge to take the first step in the right direction, check out Transocean’s Real Appeal and UHC Rally programs, which both offer support for eating healthier.
• Risk Avoidance or Mitigation. This means reducing or eliminating behaviors that could harm you or even lead to death, or taking extra precautions such as wearing proper sports equipment, getting vaccinated, not smoking, and moderating alcohol intake.
• Good Hygiene. The U.S. does not have as widespread a problem with hygiene and sanitation as some countries, but simply washing your hands frequently can help stop the spread of communicable diseases. Using care when preparing food is also important.  
• Responsible Use of Self-Care Products and Services. Use your self-care “tools” correctly and consistently; for example, take your prescribed medications, get proper dental care, monitor your blood pressure, join a gym, or practice meditation to improve sleep.

With these pillars in mind, it’s easy to see there are many forms of self-care that can make a positive impact on both physical and mental health when practiced regularly.

It’s never too early to start

Remember that children model the behavior of the adults around them, so by practicing daily self-care, you are helping your children develop their own self-care habits. While wearing your seat belt, washing your hands regularly, and eating nutritious foods are important habits you can practice and teach, children also need guidance for their mental and emotional wellbeing. Some examples include helping them vocalize their feelings, reinforcing a healthy body image, and encouraging them to have realistic expectations for themselves.

Doing self-care activities with your children also has its benefits—for you and your children. Take a yoga class together or go on a bike ride. To eliminate nap-time battles with younger children, consider taking a nap yourself and framing it as a necessary health activity.

There are numerous ways to help your children begin good self-care habits early, but one of the most powerful ways they can learn is by example. It’s never too late for anyone to start taking better care of themselves, so consider some ways you can begin practicing better self-care so that you can start reaping the benefits.