Self-care is an act of self-love, essential to healing and overall wellbeing. The benefits of self-care are multiple, and so are the ways to practice it too. These 6 simple ways to practice self-care, will get you off to a great start and help you build on consistent and sustainable habits.
Feeling tired, unmotivated & drained? This seems to be the overwhelming consensus at the moment, at least for everyone I’ve been talking to.
This ‘life’ business certainly doesn't come easy. We are all snowed under piles of things that need to get done - admin, laundry, cooking, food shopping, homework, packed lunches, school runs, gymnastics/tennis/football club runs, pet care, 100 million WhatsApp group messages to get back to about the half-term activities, the school fair, Easter parade and Friendship Day…
Wait a minute - just go back and read that last sentence (or paragraph!). Sound familiar? Ok, now have another look at it. Do you realise how LONG that list is?! And it is only covering the basics. How about work? Or, say, 5’ full minutes to think - to actually manage to formulate a thought from beginning to end without being interrupted by your kids, pets, work calls and all the other emergencies? How about staying sane among all that insanity? You know what - I’m not even going to go there.
This is where self-care comes in. The term “self-care” has been doing the rounds for the last number of years, but has somehow picked up an undertone of luxury along the way.
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So, what is self-care exactly?
Self-care is an umbrella term used to describe any purposeful activity you undertake to improve your life in mind, body and spirit. It is about being kind towards yourself, and about acknowledging, validating and taking care of your needs. And, above all, it's about the relationship you hold with yourself.
For some reason, all too often, we push self-care at the bottom of our To-Do lists without a second thought. Self-care sounds expensive, tedious, complicated, and honestly, who has time for it...right? Just keep going… right?
NO. And, NO again. Author Eleanor Brown puts it best:
"Rest & self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel."
Acts of self-care don’t need to be monumental, or expensive. Nor do they need to be long and tedious. It is about doing what pleases you, what recharges you, and what makes you feel a little lighter.
So here’s 6 Simple Acts of Self-Care that you can do every day that will change how you feel about yourself, and as a result, about life and those around you.
1. Talk about your problems:
When stressed or worried, share your concerns with those close to you. Don't isolate yourself. Whether or not they can offer solutions, you will feel supported, seen & heard.
Verbalising some of our worries is sometimes all it takes to lift some of the weight off. Remember: “a problem shared, is a problem halved”. Yes, it’s true.
2. It’s ok to say “No”:
Remember that "No" is a perfectly perfect sentence! Don't stretch yourself too thin trying to please everyone else.
You don’t have to do everything, be everywhere with a smile on your face the whole time. It’s not possible, and even if it is - how do you feel at the end of the day? Probably exhausted and drained. No, thank you!
3. Connect with nature:
Take 20' out of your day to walk in a park, the woods, the beach - whatever is available to you. Smell the flowers, listen to the birds, feel the breeze. Heck, hug a tree if you feel like it - I swear, it feels great!
Connecting with nature grounds you, fills you with a sense of peace and belonging, and lifts your mood by getting your endorphins going. There is even increasing evidence that interacting with nature has cognitive benefits too. According to research from the University of Chicago, exposure to nature shows to “improve working memory, cognitive flexibility and attentional control”
4. Watch your inner dialogue closely:
When we feel stressed and overwhelmed, we tend to feel defeated. At times like these it’s vital to be extra vigilant at that inner dialogue occurring in the background, behind all the noise. Are you putting yourself down, or are you showing yourself compassion? It makes a really, REALLY big difference in how we feel about ourselves and our self-worth.
Try replacing negative talk like “I messed things up today”, with “what a day, I’m proud of myself for managing as best as I could”.
5. Meditate:
Meditation doesn’t have to be intimidating, nor do you need to spend a month in an ashram in India to know how to do it. What everyone forgets is that we all meditate in some form anyway. While we’re driving, or in the shower for example. We just don't do it consciously. The trick is to start simple and have no expectations. The moment you set expectations is the moment you set your mind up for battle. Forget it!
Whatever the setting is that works for you, where you can just have some time to yourself, and allow your thoughts to come and go - that’s your perfect moment. Try to observe and be aware of the process. This will provide you with some moments of quiet, and time with your inner self, which is invaluable.
6. Look after your body:
Your body is your chosen form to go through this life, and it will carry you till the very end. It is so easy to neglect it when we have so many other things to do, and we just count on it performing.
Think of you car for a moment - if it takes unleaded, would you fill it up with diesel and vice versa? Would you leave it without service year after year until it completely breaks down? Probably not. And, at the end of the day, your car is replaceable. Your body? Don’t think so.
Try and be mindful of the foods you are eating the majority of the time - are they benefitting you, are they providing you with healthy fuel? Also, make sure you add movement into your daily life - a long walk, a jog, exercises on the mat - whatever works for you.
In closing:
There you go. I really hope that this post has de-mystified ‘self-care’ and inspired you to look after yourself with these 6 simple acts. The more you fill up your reserves, the happier you will be, and the more you will be able to give.
And, remember: start small and simple, and above all, with what works best for you!
What a refreshing post. Self care really can come down to just the simple things. Now that the weather is warming up where I live, I’m definitely gonna try to spend more time in nature.