Beginner’s Guide to Self Care

What is self care anyway?

Dictionary description: The Oxford dictionary defines self-care as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.”

Why is daily self care so important?

Practising self care can help you lead a happier life, and can actually help you avoid burn-out during stressful times in your life. Try to go for 15 minutes walks each day, just to stretch your legs. You can even walk around the block on your lunch break.

Let’s start with the basics:

• Make sure you’re eating enough
• at least 3 meals a day
• Are you drinking enough? Coffee doesn’t count! If you have trouble drinking enough water, get yourself one of those giant water bottles and keep it at your desk as a constant reminder.
• Brushing your teeth twice a day and showering. With lots of people still working from home, it can be easy to fall into a routine of going from your bed straight to the home office
• don’t let this happen to you! Having a morning routine that includes personal hygiene is a vital step in starting your day the right way.
• Mooooove your body! Even if it’s just dancing around your living room to some music for 15 minutes a day, it’s a great place to start promoting good mental and physical health.

It’s important to give yourself time to practice self-care, especially if you want to prevent burn out. If you’re feeling like you have too much work to do, try telling yourself that taking a small break can help you clear your mind - just 15 minute can work wonders for you.

Did you know there are different types of self care?

Physical self care is possibly the type you’re most familiar with - it involves activities that improve your physical well-being and include:

• Eating three meals a day, maintaining a balanced diet
• Basic hygiene—showering, brushing your teeth, etc.
• Staying hydrated and drinking enough water
• Daily movement for exercise
• Listening to your body’s cues (tiredness, soreness, etc.)
• Taking into account your cycle and how that affects you

Emotional self care involves activities that help you reflect on and process a full range of emotion. Examples of emotional or mental self-care include:

• Developing friendships that are supportive
• Writing affirmations for yourself
• Practice breathing techniques
• Doing something creative to relieve frustration, anger, anxiety etc.

Spiritual self care is focussed on taking care of and replenishing the soul. Examples include:

• Practicing meditation
• Practicing yoga
• Spending time in nature
• Creating a mantra for yourself

Mental self-care activities include anything that stimulates the mind. Examples include:

• Reading a book
• Going to a museum
• Taking a course to educate yourself

Practicing social self-care involves nurturing and deepening relationships with the people in your life. Activities include:

• Going out with friends
• Going on a date
• Calling your mum

Practical self-care involves completing tasks that fulfill essential aspects of your life - doing these will prevent future stressful situations. Examples include:

• Doing your laundry
• Creating a budget
• Meal prepping

Self care should be proactive, not reactive.

So now you have all the information, where should you start? Here are some tips:

• Create a short morning routine to help start your day with a positive attitude/good vibes
• Set yourself reminders to drink plenty of water, take breaks and eat your meals
• Give yourself time in the evenings before to decompress from your day and to check in to see how you are emotionally, in order to have a restful sleep.

Remember:

• Anyone can do it
• It’s not just for the ladies
• It doesn’t have to be expensive!