Let’s talk self-care…
Why is self-care more important now than ever?
The term self-care is so widely used these days, but what does it actually mean?
The term self-care relates to the practice of consciously doing things that preserve or improve both your mental and physical health. Self-care can help to produce positive feelings, boost your confidence and self-esteem, whilst also allowing you to love and appreciate yourself. It can help all relationships, from the relationship you have with yourself, to the relationships you have with your work colleagues.
You are the most important person in your life, so surely you should take of yourself like you take care of others?
Self-care looks different to everybody. For some it may be listening to a podcast, meditating or going for a run and for others it may be making a yummy and nourishing dinner. Self-care doesn’t have to cost anything; it is simply about making a commitment to yourself and taking care of you.
The global pandemic of COVID-19 means that we are living in unprecedented times. Many people are forced to be at home, making it harder to escape the feeling of being trapped and locked up inside, with all the days in the week rolling into one. It is more important now than ever before that we take care of ourselves, both mentally and physically. As we emerge out of what seems a never-ending lockdown, everyone is trying to find their new ‘normal’. This may cause feelings of anxiousness for many. MIND, a mental health charity has come up with 3 key techniques in order to help to try and keep that anxiousness at bay.
Mindfulness – Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that involves being aware of the present moment (1). It can help you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, helping to create a space between you and your thoughts, to help you react more calmly. It can help to increase motivation by getting rid of that dazed feeling. (see our blog post on mindfulness for more info).
Getting outside into nature – There’s something about being outdoors in nature that has a therapeutic effect on the mind. Whether it be being by the seaside, listening to the sound of the waves or in the countryside listening to the breeze and the birds chirping. Taking a walk in nature can stimulate positive thinking and reduce aggression and post-stress anger (2). Self-care can take practice, to begin with until you become confident in doing it and it becomes part of your routine. Below, is a small list of some of our favourite ways to incorporate self-care into our everyday lives…
1) Laugh! They say laughter is the best medicine and it really is. Laughing triggers, the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. So, pick up the phone and get talking to your friends or watch your favourite comedian on TV.
2) Nature. Get out in nature, even if it is just a 20min walk. It will help to clear your mind, making you feel calmer and happier.
3) Keeping a journal. Writing a journal can help you to download all of your thoughts, helping to keep them organised. Writing about your thoughts can help to distinguish between the positive and negative, allowing you to find ways to work through the difficulties and move forward. It strengthens the connection with yourself.
4) Taking breaks from social media. Whilst social media can be good in many ways, it can also be extremely overwhelming. Spending too much time on social media can increase feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. It often leads to self-criticism and comparison. Taking regular breaks my help you to stay focused on your goals and to live in the present.
5) Nourishing your body. Living a healthy balanced lifestyle is a form of self-care. Feeding the brain with a diet that provides the essential quantities of carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water helps to support healthy neurotransmitter activity and a healthy immune system (3).
6) Do things that make you happy. Take time out to enjoy doing your hobbies and things for you.
You must have chosen to read this blogpost as the idea of self-care interests you? Do you do any self-care activities, if not, why not?
Start today and create the best version of you.
Download our FREE self-care guide to help keep you on track.
With love Counterpoise Wellness x
