Everyone’s idea of self care is different and so should it be. We are all individuals with different triggers and stressors and therefore, how and when we choose to wind down and implement self care will also be different. I have friends who swear by a good at home facial, complete with scented candles, a bubble bath and a facial cleansing brush. For others it’s meeting up with friends for coffee, sans kids at least once per week.
However you choose to relax and wind down, it’s important that you take time to look after both your physical and mental health. I’m honestly not great at looking after myself. I’m usually an afterthought. After the kids are fed and happy. After the house is somewhat tidy. After I’ve made sure I’ve given my best at work. Then, if I’ve not already fallen asleep, I might think about myself. That’s not good enough. We know how important it is to look after ourselves. To keep our bodies and minds healthy. There’s not much excuse.
I posted earlier on about the freedom you get from letting go. For me, letting go was very much a way I practised some self care. Work had become less enjoyable and more of a personal battle of will at some point earlier on in the year. A lot of my identity was tied up in what I did, so for a while I found myself in crisis. I didn’t look after myself well which really impacted my mental and physical health. Finding ways to look after myself became imperitive. You can’t pour from an empty cup. I’m learning to refill mine. I realised I was doing my family and everyone else around me a disservice by not looking after myself.
Self Care – Finding Ways To Relax
What helps you to wind down? Finding an activity that allows you to forget about your day and just focus on ‘being’. Soaking in the bath? Painting your nails? Perhaps cooking a new recipe makes you feel zen? Whatever works for you, it’s important to find time for it.
Get some sleep
Mind.Org recommends getting enough sleep to help you have enough energy to cope. I’ve found that when I don’t get enough sleep, my emotions run high and it’s much harder for me to get through the day with a level of optimism. The Sleep Council says that the average adult needs 7-9 hours sleep per night. How many hours are you currently sleeping?
I find that switching off electronics at least an hour before I want to go to bed helps. I try to do something calming, such as reading or a bit of gratitude journaling before shutting down for the night.
Get outdoors
Now I’m not telling you to run out and buy a puppy, though studies have shown that “playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax”. All I’m saying is that getting outside can be such a mood booster. Having to walk the dog has been a great source of ‘alone time’ for me to clear my head or process my day.
When it’s be a hectic week, I’m lucky enough to have some amazing walkways, fields and woods nearby to walk through and unwind. Even if it’s just a bit of Spotify during the commute though, being outside and taking a walk or a cycle can be just the self care you need.
What I plan to do to help my own self-care
- Journal regularly
- Get outside for a walk every day
- Write – blogging totally counts as it’s a great release
- Have at least one bath a week without the toddler joining me!
- Take more care on what I’m eating
- Give my locs some TLC more regularly
What does self care look like to you? Do you like to meditate or swim regularly? I’d love to hear your own experiences.
