Self-care is a term we hear a lot about, but what does it actually mean and are we incorporating self-care into our lives?
It refers to the practices and activities that we deliberately choose to do on a daily basis to maintain and improve our health and wellbeing – mentally, physically and emotionally.
It sounds pretty simple, but many of us pay little attention to self-care and it’s often the first thing that’s forgotten when life gets too busy or stressful.
This is why ‘deliberately’ is one of the most important words in the definition. You have to make a point of being conscious of your wellbeing and tuning in to what your body and mind needs.
What are some self-care practices I can do?
Self-care can be as simple as not checking emails at night because it affects your sleep, leaving your phone in another room as soon as you get home from work, going for a walk or having a bath while listening to your favourite music. It’s whatever makes you feel good and relaxed!
Let’s be clear about one thing though – self-care IS NOT bingeing on junk food and TV shows and staying in bed all day! Although this may make you feel good in the short-term, doing this every day will not make you feel good in the long-term.
Why is self-care important?
By incorporating self-care activities into your daily routine, you give your body and mind the time to rest, rejuvenate and reset. This will help you be more productive and avoid or reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Most importantly, it encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself, in turn, helping you to maintain healthy relationships with others.
If you are struggling to find balance in your life and need some assistance with incorporating self-care practices, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with the team at Embrace Wellness Consultancy.
