5 ways you can practise Self-care
What is self-care?
Self-care…a phrase which today we hear being thrown around a lot! In fact it is so overused that sometimes there is a tendency to eye roll when we hear it, but what does it actually mean?
Self-care means different things for different people depending on what the issues are in your own life. What it essentially means is finding a way throughout our busy schedules to carve out a bit of time to do something that will benefit you and only you! This can be a lot easier said than done, work, family life, relationships, can all take up so much of our life that we just don’t get the time to prioritise ourselves. However it is essential that we do somehow find that time even if it is for an hour a week, in today’s society and especially with working from home becoming more common it is important to be able to shut off from our obligations and focus on just us so we can recharge and face the pressures of life feeling like we have had time off for ourselves. This can also help to prevent burn out which is something that is becoming more and more common, especially for those working in the Health care System and in schools.
Ideas for Self Care
1. Taking time away from your phone
Something that can seem really difficult to do-our phones have almost become an extension of ourselves and we rely on them all the time, especially because of work. But taking even half an hour away from them can help us to feel more free, find some peace and quiet and give us time to focus on doing something else.
2. Exercising
Whether it be going to the gym, going for a walk, doing a home work out or finding an exercise group to join. Exercise is a great way for us to spend some time with our own mind and body, when stressed and worried the physical act of putting feet on a pavement, using a punch bag, lifting weights or engaging your muscles can be really beneficial and somewhere to out all the stressed energy. It also helps us to feel like we have achieved something which in turn makes us feel more positive towards ourselves, and gives us a feeling of both freedom and control in our lives.
3. Looking after yourself
If you have ever experienced a time in your life where getting out of bed in the morning seems impossible and scary, then there is a chance that having a shower, changing your clothes and brushing your hair was not on your list of to do’s. Self-care can literally come in the form of looking after your appearance, so if you are experiencing a low time in your life take the time to brush your hair, to put on an outfit that makes you feel good, to put on makeup or wear aftershave. Do something today that is going to help boost your confidence slightly, because you deserve it!
4. Journaling
This is not something that will work for everyone and again is probably a word you hear thrown around a lot. However if you are someone who struggles to be able to hear through the noise happening around you or make sense of what is happening in your head then journaling might be of a benefit to you. This can be done through just allowing yourself to scribble your thought in a notebook, it can be done through writing letters to yourself, or it can be done through things such as a happiness planners, one line a day journals and mindfulness journals all of which can be found online and in different shops.
5. Reaching out for help
Reaching out for help can be so difficult, especially if you’re struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. One of the best ways you can provide yourself with self-care is by reaching out to someone who can support you - this could be a close friend, family member or professional.
Counselling is a great way to discover things about yourself that you can use to cope and better your mental health today.
There are many others ways in which you can take time out for yourself and these different ways can be discovered through counselling, and working out what would work and benefit you the most.