Self-Care

Self-Care - we hear those words banded about a lot but what does it actually mean??

The definition of self-care is ‘the act of attending to one’s physical or mental health, generally without medical or other professional consultation’, ‘the products or practices used to comfort or soothe oneself’.

Contrary to it's use on social-media it's not all spa days and bubble baths. It's about honouring your mind and body, and taking a step back from activities and people. Even setting boundaries for work, relationships and learning to say no is self-care. If you don't love and honour yourself, how can you expect other people to do it?

For me, my self-care routine means looking after myself in every area of my life:

• making sure I have a good work/life balance

• making time to eat healthily and move my body. Also now that I have a physically demanding job I need to make time to properly stretch off my muscles to prevent injury/muscle overuse - daily stretching, yoga and getting a regular massage helps me a lot!

• making sure I have healthy boundaries in place - not working too much, saying no when I don't want to go to something, less people pleasing

• making time for doing things I love - walking outdoors, yoga, listening to music, going for a massage etc

• making time to reconnect with myself - checking in with how I am feeling physically, mentally and emotionally, not pretending things are great when they aren't

• making time to spend time with the people I love and with other people who I know will make me feel good

• having enough self-awareness to recognise when I feel things slipping and having the tools in place to get me grounded and connected again

For you it could be different things. We all live different lives and have different needs.

One thing we do share in common in the UK is that we're not the greatest at making time for ourselves and relaxing. We all live (over) busy lives and cram too much into our days. Most days we are working, looking after the family, keeping on top of the housework and shopping, trying to fit in a workout, cooking, trying to keep in touch with friends and family. Even when we are 'relaxing' at the end of a busy day we're still thinking about what we have to do tomorrow, or scrolling through our phones whilst watching TV. At the end of the day we flop into bed exhausted, mentally and physically, and we wonder why we don't sleep well.

We only take time to slow down when our bodies refuse to let us go on and we're ill. It shouldn't be like that. Our bodies and minds deserve and need time off to recharge. You deserve better!

What self-care routine will you put in place to honour yourself?

Pauline

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