I don’t think I’ve heard the phrase self-care as often as I have in the past twelve months. So much so that the meaning and importance of self-care may have become diluted. Here’s a reminder that not only is it important to find time to look after yourself, but it’s an essential block in looking after your mental health.
What is self-care?
The Oxford Dictionary says that self-care is:
noun
the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” expressing oneself is an essential form of self-care”
From this definition alone, you can understand why this year, in a time filled with a lot of stress and uncertainty, there was an added importance placed on protecting your well-being and happiness. I particularly like this definition of self-care because it is pretty open-ended and allows the reader to interpret it and relay it in a way which makes the most sense to them.
Why is it important?
Self care can do wonders for your physical and mental health. It allows individuals time to put their needs first, center their thoughts and make sure they are keeping well and safe. As I’ve said before, how you conduct self-care can differ. So can how often you practice. Ideally, your self-care routine should encompass daily actions, but not everyone can or wants to practice self-care that often.
I reached out to friends on Instagram and asked them what self-care looked like to them….
What my readers do for self-care
“Runnng (physically and mentally) & making time for creative things. Also chocolate”
Paul
“Prepping my lunch the night before and up early enough (aka minimal snooze) to eat my fav breakfast omelette”
Multicoloured Peacock
“Kicking my boyfriend out for the night and doing/ watching what the F I like”
Becsickle
“Getting enough sleep, some time away from the kids! Going for a run, having hobbies”
The Blue Unicorn Project
“Alone Time”
Sienna Speaks
“Divorcing an abusive narcissist”
Caroline, Raising the Bars
“Not taking criticism from those I wouldn’t go to for advice”
Lesbemums
What I do for self-care
Not as much as I should. But finding time to write on this blog used to be the main one and it’s something I’m keen to adopt again. Also, small things like investing in my favourite bathroom products and staying in the shower a little longer than I actually need, just to enjoy breathing in and benefitting from the aromatherapy oils in my products. It’s setting the morning off with good intentions. I drink a large glass of water to rehydrate after a night of my body fasting and try to spend a good 20 minutes or so by myself before waking the kids. Though that part isn’t always possible, it’s a super wonderful feeling when it happens!
My plant babies are also a way in which I look after myself. They came in handy during the first COVID lockdown as they provided me with a release to focus my pent up anxiety over the unknown. Something other than trying to deal with the fear of people dying and the stress of being indoors trying to homeschool and work. They now provide me with so much joy.
It’s also about being more intentional with relationships and who you let take your time or into your inner circle. I have very few close friendships but I’m a friend to many. This is important because although helping people is one of my love languages, entrusting people with my thoughts and feelings is pretty sacred teritory. Be mindful of who you let into your inner circle and guard your sacred space ferociously!
Now tell me about you
Honestly. I’d love to know. What does self-care look like to you? Are you a massage a week kind of person? I was when I lived and worked in China, sometimes twice a week depending on how work was going! Do you start every day with positive affirmations or save your energy for larger acts of self-care on a less often basis?
I’m not judging, I feel there is no one way, as I hope I made clear earlier on in the post. So let’s learn and grow from each other!
