Can Self-Care Spark a Domino Effect?
- Brainz Magazine
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
Written by Dr. Reetu Verma, Transformational Life Coach
Dr. Reetu Verma, founder of Healing Health and Happiness, is a heart-centred Transformational Life Coach who blends Eastern spiritual wisdom with Western modern research to guide individuals on their unique healing journeys towards achieving holistic health to radiate love and bliss.
For years, self-care has been portrayed as quick comforts, a candle, a bubble bath, or a brief escape from daily demands. While these moments can be soothing, evidence shows they are not sufficient to counter the effects of chronic stress, emotional overload, and prolonged responsibility. When the stress response remains activated over time, the nervous system, immune system, and mental health all become affected, increasing the risk of burnout and long-term health concerns.
True self-care is not about indulgence, it is a preventive and restorative practice that supports stress regulation, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing. It is not a luxury, it is a lifeline, and a foundational pillar of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
What is self-care?
Self-care is the intentional practice of nurturing your whole being, your body, mind, emotions, environment, energy, and spirit, so you can function, adapt, and thrive. It is a deliberate, holistic approach to wellbeing that supports stress regulation, emotional balance, and long-term health, and it is increasingly backed by scientific evidence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as the ability of individuals to promote health, prevent disease, maintain wellbeing, and cope with illness, with or without the support of a healthcare provider. In real life, this means making conscious, consistent choices that support your nervous system, hormones, immune function, mental health, and sense of meaning.
True self-care is not about occasional indulgence or escape. It is a foundational health strategy, one that helps restore energy, build resilience, and create the conditions for lasting health, healing, and happiness.
The importance of self-care
Self-care is more than a personal choice, it’s essential for health, happiness, and resilience. When we intentionally support the body through regular movement, balanced nutrition, prioritizing rest, sufficient sleep, and effective stress regulation, we actively support the body, mind, and spirit, reduce the risk of illness, and strengthen emotional wellbeing.
WHO highlights that self-care empowers individuals, families, and communities to maintain health, prevent disease, and cope with illness, with or without professional support. In essence, self-care is a science-backed, globally endorsed approach to living well, sustainably, and with greater vitality.
Your energy is your true currency
Every choice you make, every activity, conversation, and decision, flows from one essential resource, your energy. When you are depleted, stressed, or pushing through discomfort/pain, it’s not a lack of willpower holding you back, it’s your body and nervous system signalling the need for rest, recovery, and restoration. Protecting and nurturing that energy is not a luxury, it’s the foundation of your health, happiness, and overall well-being.
I learned this the hard way through my own health journey. I had to completely rethink what it meant to truly live well. It’s not about doing more, it’s about being fully present, caring for yourself, and moving through life with clarity, joy, and balance. When you honour your limits, your energy stops being scattered and begins to flow in a focused, intentional, and deeply powerful way. This shift didn’t just safeguard my health, it transformed my happiness, my relationships, and the way I experience life.
Self-care isn’t optional, it’s core to your life
It’s time to stop treating self-care as an optional add-on and start seeing it as a non-negotiable practice for your health, energy, and happiness. Give your rest the same priority you give your meetings. Listen to your body’s natural rhythms. Remember, caring for yourself is what allows your energy to recharge, helping you show up fully and live with purpose.
Here’s the truth, you are the heartbeat of your life. When you nurture your body, energy, emotions, and spirit, everything you create flows from a place of alignment, abundance, and joy. This isn’t just emotional intelligence, it’s intelligent living, leading yourself and others with clarity and intention.
Why is self-care non-negotiable for women today?
Women today are carrying unprecedented levels of stress, higher than men worldwide. Studies show women experience stress at rates 10% higher than men, are twice as likely to face anxiety disorders, and nearly half of working women report feeling burned out. These numbers tell a story, but the reality goes even deeper.
Through my coaching work, I have seen this again and again, even the most capable, high-achieving women are carrying an invisible, relentless load. They lead at work, hold families together, nurture partners and children, show up for extended family, and often care for aging parents, all while feeling the pressure to do it perfectly. Many of the women I work with are the emotional anchors for everyone around them. They absorb stress, soothe worries, and keep things moving quietly, pushing their own needs aside.
Over time, this leaves very little space for rest, reflection, or simply being. It’s not because they’re doing something wrong, it’s because they’ve been doing everything for everyone else for far too long. The result? A chronic, unseen overload that drains energy, disrupts sleep, heightens emotional reactivity, and chips away at confidence. Left unchecked, this invisible burden leads straight to burnout.
This is exactly why self-care is not a luxury, it’s essential. When you intentionally care for your body, mind, emotions, and spirit, you begin to create space where stress no longer runs the show. Your nervous system softens, your energy restores, and your wellbeing becomes protected rather than depleted.
I have seen how simple, consistent self-care practices help women reconnect with themselves, restoring balance, rebuilding inner strength, and feeling empowered again.
You were never meant to carry everything alone. Prioritising yourself isn’t selfish, it’s the first step toward truly thriving, not just surviving.
Science of self-care
Biology, neuroscience, and psychology all point to the same truth – nurturing your body, mind, and spirit is key to vibrant health and lasting happiness.
Biology: Caring for your body through rest, movement, nutrition, deep sleep, and stress regulation helps balance hormones, strengthen immunity, and support overall physical health, laying the foundation for a vibrant, energetic life.
Neuroscience: Mindful self-care practices enhance brain function, improve emotional regulation, and foster mental clarity, allowing you to navigate life with focus and ease.
Psychology: Prioritising your wellbeing reduces burnout, builds resilience, and enhances overall life satisfaction and mental health.
In essence, self-care is both science-backed and deeply transformative, it has been a true game-changer in my own life. When approached intentionally and practiced consistently, it creates a ripple effect, positively influencing every part of your life, restoring energy, strengthening emotional balance, and deepening your relationships. Self-care isn’t just about feeling good, it’s about cultivating a life full of energy, purpose, connection, and genuine fulfillment.
Summing-up
Through my own journey, I have discovered that self-care is far more than a routine, it’s truly transformative. Simple, intentional practices, when done consistently, create a domino effect, restoring energy, calming the mind, balancing emotions, and deepening connections. Self-care is your superpower. When you nurture yourself, everything else in life flows with greater ease, clarity, and strength. It’s not just about feeling good, it’s about living with vibrant health, emotional resilience, joy, and true purpose.
Let me help you make self-care work for you
Self-care is deeply personal, but with guidance, it can become simpler, more effective, and truly transformative. I help women reconnect with their body, mind, emotions, and spirit through practical, science-backed practices. Together, we restore energy, reduce stress, and build habits that support lasting health, happiness, and balance.
With the right support, self-care stops being a chore or indulgence, it becomes a sustainable, life-enhancing practice that empowers you to thrive, not just survive.
Read more from Dr. Reetu Verma
Dr. Reetu Verma, Transformational Life Coach
Unlock your potential with Dr. Reetu Verma, a Transformational Life Coach, Spiritual Teacher, and Global Speaker. Empowering individuals through holistic health coaching, mindfulness, and energy healing, Dr. Verma integrates modern research with spiritual wisdom, emphasizing yoga philosophy. She shares expert insights on chakra healing, heart-centered living, and emotional freedom at global summits. Through her radio program, Dr. Verma raises awareness on health, well-being, environmental sustainability, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inspiring positive change and collective action.
Mission to create:
Love in action: a heart-centered community united in care, kindness, and transformative change.
