The importance of self-care
It’s World Mental Health Day tomorrow and more than ever the conversation around wellbeing needs to be normalised. So let’s use this awareness day for good. Let’s stop talking about self-care as if it’s a something we can choose whether we invest in - and let’s talk about looking after ourselves properly.
There is a mental wellbeing crisis and it’s spiralling. There’s a whole heap of stress going on. Working at home. Managing life, work, lockdown life. And as we approach darker nights, more restrictions, the world is feeling more cross, more angry and frankly we’re all a bit fucked off.
We have a duty of care to ourselves; to look after ourselves a bit better; to invest in ourselves.
To put ourselves first.
Every day we make choices. We choose to press snooze on that alarm. We choose to show up for work, for our friends, for our family, for each other.
But when do you choose yourself? When do you choose you?
When do you show up for yourself? Taking care of yourself first means you are then in a better places to take care of all the other people that rely on you in your life.
In this bonkers world, it’s now more important than ever before to help ourselves, because that bloody fairy with her magic wand seems to have disappeared.
Life is a matter of choices. Every choice you make, makes you. Don’t wait. Don’t say you’ll do something about it after the weekend, next week, next month.
Choose you right now.
And here’s some quick habit hacks to help you take care of yourself a bit better. It’s time to care.
You have to plan your self-care. Whether you are writing a journal or simply gifting yourself a brew in peace, you have to plan it. Put it in a diary like a meeting. A meeting that cannot be moved.
Breathe. We have in our possession an automatic weapon that we can control at any given moment in the fight against anxiety. Our breath. Slowing our breath helps reframe our brain. It tells the body we don’t need to fight or flee, it signals serenity. Inhale slowly for four. Pause and exhale slowly for ten. Try it for ten breaths - see how you feel.
Get outside. Wrap up. Go outside. Feel the rain on your face. Jump in a puddle. Fresh air helps. Being outside helps. Walking helps. Just 20 minutes a day.
Celebrate the wins - no matter how small. Get a load of post it notes. Write on them your wins. It could be you managed to pair all the socks in the house (as if this is possible), it could be you met a deadline, you rang that person you’ve been meaning to ring for ages. Inside the cupboard where you keep your cups, put all your stickies on the cupboard door. Everytime you have a win, post it there. Everytime you make a brew, celebrate your wins. Remind yourself how bloody ace you are.
And finally be kind to yourself. Have a nap, forgive yourself, get under that duvet - it’s a tough time. Don’t beat yourself up.
And don’t forget to talk. You're not alone; talk to someone you trust. Sharing a problem is often the first step to recovery. Get help if you need it.
