Now, people seem to get confused about this one. What it is and what you have to do to make it work. Is it all smelly candles, hot baths and face masks? What do you think Self-care is?
There are so many myths about self-care, such as its indulgent, selfish and time-consuming. I’m here to help break those myths. There is a great saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” This means that you have to look after yourself first to be able to look after others. We need to keep our cups fuller, and as life is progressively fuller and busier, it can prove more challenging to be able to do this.
As a woman, I see this in counselling sessions all the time. Women tend to be by nature, very giving towards others and then are upset with themselves when they are not offering time and care to themselves.
Have you felt a sense of frustration in your life by working, tidying up the home, food shopping, bill paying, and organising family life? The list goes on. Do you never have any time to do things which might make you happier, like spending time out walking in nature, cycling, running, meeting up with friends you haven’t seen in ages for a coffee? Does it seem like you a running a race with no end in sight, and it’s relentless? Is there an endless to-do list in your life, yet you aren’t a high priority on it? If we keep on doing this, it can lead to burnout.
So, what can we do when we are running along at one hundred kilometres per hour. How do we recognise that we need some self-care? Do you remember the signs which show you that you are getting burnt out, such as resentment, disappointment, restless nights, stress and anxiety and depression?
It would be best to congratulate yourself for recognising that you aren’t feeling so great. The road to recovery is seeing an issue and attempting to work around it. Seeing and understanding it is the first step to getting better.
What can you do if you are not feeling quite yourself?
Here is where some great tips will come in handy:
- Make sleep a priority and a part of your self-care routine. Get to bed at the same time each night and wake at the same time.
- Take care of yourself by taking care of your gut. – eat well and treat food as medicine for you and your brain
- Take some time to exercise – walking is excellent.
- See food as medicine.
- Say no, and make you a priority.
- Think of doing something nice for yourself – such as a short break away
If you want to learn how your life can look with less stress, anxiety and depression and more time out for yourself and self-care, then please contact me today.
