Ponderings |
Self Care: Selfishly Important?
I'm all about that #selfcaresunday life
Is it just me or has self-care taken over social media lately? We have become a society obsessed with taking time out to care for yourself, relax after a stressful day or reward ourselves for completing a project. Now it is, of course, beneficial and mostly well deserved, but do we take self-care too far? Can we argue going for a manicure or massage is more self-indulgence than self-care?
Where does Self Care Originate from?
The term 'Self-care' has been around for centuries and it's a concept said to have even been used by the Ancient Greeks. Of course, it has been used in vastly different ways ever since. It originally had a dark history, as it was theories and practices of self-governance which controlled African American women and men and their right to determine their own futures. Since, it has gone through a resurgence, with a revival of the term during the 60's which described practices of alleviating stress and exhaustion for people in high-risk and demanding professions.
More recently, however and in particular after the controversial and turbulent election of the President of the United States in 2016, media and bloggers began talking about self-care as a means to benefit personal wellbeing and mental health. Conversations were also focused on its historical misuse and its changing definitions and importance to people. What we learn from its history is varied. How can we go about our lives without taking time to look after ourselves, focus on our mental health and general wellbeing?
Well, we can't. As our world gets more intense and the lives we live become even more focused on performance, it becomes more crucial to learn how to 'take care of ourselves'. It may sound silly and certainly obvious, but do we ACTUALLY show care, for our self?
The term 'Self-care' has been around for centuries and it's a concept said to have even been used by the Ancient Greeks. Of course, it has been used in vastly different ways ever since. It originally had a dark history, as it was theories and practices of self-governance which controlled African American women and men and their right to determine their own futures. Since, it has gone through a resurgence, with a revival of the term during the 60's which described practices of alleviating stress and exhaustion for people in high-risk and demanding professions.
More recently, however and in particular after the controversial and turbulent election of the President of the United States in 2016, media and bloggers began talking about self-care as a means to benefit personal wellbeing and mental health. Conversations were also focused on its historical misuse and its changing definitions and importance to people. What we learn from its history is varied. How can we go about our lives without taking time to look after ourselves, focus on our mental health and general wellbeing?
Well, we can't. As our world gets more intense and the lives we live become even more focused on performance, it becomes more crucial to learn how to 'take care of ourselves'. It may sound silly and certainly obvious, but do we ACTUALLY show care, for our self?
How can I integrate it into everyday life?
A classic introvert, I enjoy my own space and time to recharge. In other words, I damn well LOVE my own company and can sometimes go for hours without talking to another human
(is that weird or...) but then again, sometimes I crave conversation that is not in my head and I need to speak to someone in the flesh. So when it comes to practising self-care, a lot of it is right up my alley, but others not so much. In order to reap the benefits of self-care:
1. Set aside time each day to practice some self- care
2. Try and do it at the same time each day to get yourself into a rhythm
What can I do for self -care?
In order for most people to effectively go through life, without being run down and completely exhausted, we all should implement simple practices to give ourselves a break. It can be as simple as putting aside a time during the day to have a cup of tea and listen to a podcast or perhaps allowing yourself to reflect more deeply; journalling is an effective way of getting thoughts and feelings onto paper and is proven to reduce feelings of anxiety. Even just making sure you get 8hrs of sleep a night and turning off all electronic devices an hour before bed can be considered a practice of self-care.
And in reality, if we don't do these things for ourselves, who's going to do it?
I divide my self-care practices into activities that benefit mind, body and soul (how holistic of me).
Mind
For days that I am feeling less than perfect (which is never..*rolls eyes*) I try to boost my confidence. Writing positive affirmations and putting them up around my room, or keeping them in the notes section of my phone is a simple way of kicking any feelings of doubt and unease to the curb. There is an app called Gratitude where you can put down something you are grateful for each day and then look back on them.
Talking about feelings or concerns with a trusted friend, colleague or health professional can help calm turbulent thoughts. My friends are some of the most important people in my life and they are always there to talk about anything. Now, don't expect your pals to pick up the phone at all hours, and I wouldn't suggest barging into their rooms randomly (can you tell what sort of roommate I am?) so perhaps plan a coffee date to debrief. Sometimes all you need is a supportive group of gal pals to lift you up.
Body
Self-care that benefits your body is my favourite practice. If you are feeling stressed or run down, pampering sessions and exercise can help to reset your mind and have you feeling in tip-top shape!
A face mask, a cup of herbal tea, a fragrant candle and an evening watching a rom-com is the perfect recipe to unwind and take a little 'me time'. Allowing yourself to take this time will give you clarity, assist with de-stressing from a hectic week at work and is incredibly important for general well being. So get to it!
Practising yoga is another great way to work self-care into your life. It has incredible benefits to the mind and body and consistent practice can see an improvement in your overall outlook but also your flexibility and strength.
Going for a walk in the afternoon and listening to a podcast or some music is another great mind clearer and a little exercise each day will also help you sleep better!
Soul
A face mask, a cup of herbal tea, a fragrant candle and an evening watching a rom-com is the perfect recipe to unwind and take a little 'me time'. Allowing yourself to take this time will give you clarity, assist with de-stressing from a hectic week at work and is incredibly important for general well being. So get to it!
Practising yoga is another great way to work self-care into your life. It has incredible benefits to the mind and body and consistent practice can see an improvement in your overall outlook but also your flexibility and strength.
Going for a walk in the afternoon and listening to a podcast or some music is another great mind clearer and a little exercise each day will also help you sleep better!
Soul
They say that food is for the soul, and one of my self-care practices is making a favourite meal and enjoying it on a Friday or Saturday night. There is a sense of accomplishment in making a meal from scratch and it can be so nice to make something that will nourish your body and fill your soul (or just be something naughty to enjoy!)
This may be the cringest suggestions that have come out of this post but when all else fails, one of the most uplifting things to do is dance like nobody's watching. Put on your throwback playlist, turn the music up and have a dance party in your bedroom/living room/ supermarket aisle. The heart starts racing, nothing else is in your head ( I hope you're not thinking about how daggy you look cause that would defeat the purpose!) and it just makes you feel so darn good!
*I've prepared for you to roast me for being a dork, but all hope of me being cool is lost anyway...
So there you have it, self-care doesn't have to be complete airy-fairy nonsense, it can be powerful, invigorating and confidence boosting. Its beauty is its individual meaning and purpose for each person. Some practices might not work for you, others may be just the ticket. Whichever way you decide to take care of yourself: mind, body and soul, do it for your own personal benefit and growth and most importantly your mental health.
Sometimes we all need a moment alone, a face mask and a rom-com to put everything else into perspective.
This may be the cringest suggestions that have come out of this post but when all else fails, one of the most uplifting things to do is dance like nobody's watching. Put on your throwback playlist, turn the music up and have a dance party in your bedroom/living room/ supermarket aisle. The heart starts racing, nothing else is in your head ( I hope you're not thinking about how daggy you look cause that would defeat the purpose!) and it just makes you feel so darn good!
*I've prepared for you to roast me for being a dork, but all hope of me being cool is lost anyway...
So there you have it, self-care doesn't have to be complete airy-fairy nonsense, it can be powerful, invigorating and confidence boosting. Its beauty is its individual meaning and purpose for each person. Some practices might not work for you, others may be just the ticket. Whichever way you decide to take care of yourself: mind, body and soul, do it for your own personal benefit and growth and most importantly your mental health.
Sometimes we all need a moment alone, a face mask and a rom-com to put everything else into perspective.
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