Let's get one misconception out of the way right off the bat: self-care is not the same thing as self-indulgence, nor is it the same thing as being selfish. Practicing self-care entails attending to your own needs in order to ensure that you are in good physical and mental health, that you are able to perform the duties of your occupation, that you are able to offer assistance and care to other people, and that you are able to achieve everything you need to and want to in a given day.

To live a happy and healthy life, it's paramount to take care of yourself constantly. That's where self-care planning comes into play. What's a self-care plan? It's a list of activities which will act as your coping mechanism and support the well-being of your physical, mental and emotional state. It's also a set of principles to live by so you don't fall into the dark abyss of stress and depression.