We all love being taken care of, it’s nice to think that someone else is doing something for us out of the kindness of their heart! So much so that we quickly return the favour and look after our loved ones. But in the mix of all of this, we’re often guilty of forgetting about a very important someone... OURSELVES. So like the safety clip on the airplane look after yourself before you help others, you can be selfless and be a little selfish.
There is no right or wrong way to practice selfcare cause after all it's all about you. Putting yourself last can lead to burnout or may lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Which can have adverse effects on your physical and mental wellbeing, therefore taking care of yourself should be an essential daily activity.
Selfcare can reduce stress, as it usually involves taking time to relax, breath and evaluate. There are plenty of activities that can reduce stress even more, but you have to figure out what’s best for you! - maybe try writing a list of what makes you feel good, and then aim to include one of them each day! - minimum.
And if you haven’t been down the selfcare aisle in a while, here’s a few things you can pop in your basket!
Sleep: One of the easiest, cheapest, and accessible hobbies but we don’t seem to get enough of it. On average we need 7-9 hours of sleep a night for our bodies to rejuvenate. There are multiple health benefits of getting the right amount of sleep, one being improved mood - we can probably all back that feeling after a good night's sleep! So try to get to bed as little as 30mins earlier!
Say NO: Your calendar doesn’t have to be FULL for you to feel fulfilled. In fact, it most likely causes more stress, with times you need to be places and all the travel time to get there. Say no or move it to a date that actually suits you.
Get moving: Physical activity has and always will be been preached because its health benefits can be backed up. This doesn’t mean you have to break yourself through strenuous exercise classes or sprint up hills, it simply means moving! Use those muscles and bones to get your blood pumping. Because remember this is all about YOU, so what’s your favourite physical activity? Maybe walking your kids to school or Pilates at your local studio.
Bathe: Run a bath, instead of a shower and lock the bathroom door because these are the very few mins that are all yours. Take your book in with you, play a podcast or simply close your eyes! Having a bath increases blood flow, increasing the oxygen in your blood meaning you breathe deeper and slower. Therefore helping your body feel calm and at rest.
Treat yourself: This can go in multiple directions, but based on your “what makes you feel good” you’ll know exactly what will do the trick! Visit your fave coffee shop before work, book in a massage, cook your fave meal or buy that special something you’ve had your eye on for a while - you deserve it!
Get your “oomm” on: “My what?” Your OMM on and download a meditation app, you won’t regret it! They’re practically a beginners guide to mediation, with 5-10 minute sessions helping your mind relax. Meditation has been shown to have many positive health effects both physically and mentally. Try Headspace.
Fuel: You fill your car up with the right petrol, right? And you wouldn’t let in run down too empty? So are you practicing the same rules with your body? Your beautiful body is your automobile and needs to be fueled to ensure it can perform its best for you! And let’s face it food makes us feel good, whether that's short term like a sweet treat when watching a movie or long term when we see the benefits healthy food has on or body or how it makes our us feel! No time for cooking? No problem, grab some of our meals and be taken care of, you can enjoy your dinner or lunch knowing that you're fueling your body with nutritious, well balanced meals!
