You may have heard the old saying that you have to take care of yourself before you take care of others. But why can that be so hard to do? Part of it may be hectic schedules, your instinct to be a nurturer, or because you’re a caregiver. But self-care is not selfish or a luxury. It is a key component of health and well-being.

The Millennial generation (those born after 1980) seem to have learned this lesson. In fact, in 2015, National Public Radio (NPR) reported that more millennials focused on personal improvement than any of the previous generations before. This could be because they have easier access to workout routines, healthy eating plans, and therapy sessions thanks to the internet, smart phones, and telehealth options, which have provided greater access to resources and information.

"People are really hungry for knowledge. It's a relatively new idea in our culture that we would be paying attention to how we feel and using that as a kind of intelligence. It's something that's really waking up in our culture and our generation,” Gracy Obuchowicz, a facilitator and self-care mentor and coach in Washington, D.C, told NPR in an interview.

Self-care is not just naps and buying yourself something new (although indulging in solitude is part of it). It's anything that supports your overall health and well-being—a quick nap, going to bed early, reading for pleasure, taking a walk, or preparing yourself a healthy meal. While it looks a little different for everyone, here are some ways to take care of yourself and avoid “running on empty.”