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Self Care: What does that look like?

Writer's picture: Caitlin WilliamsCaitlin Williams

Is it important?


Nn image depicting someone trying to relax and telling people to "f**k off"
F**k off sunglasses

We're in the second week of January when everyone is in their 'new year new me' period. It's great that people want to act positively and make changes, but remember to look after yourself.


What is Self-Care?

Everyone's self-care looks different. That's the important thing to remember.

Self-care isn't just yoga and face masks.



Patrick Star practicing yoga - Spongebob Squarepants

How we live is a direct link to our mental well-being.


For a while, I was experiencing heart palpitations, and from trips to the doctors, and multiple tests it was put down to anxiety & stress.


I started journalling my thoughts and creating lists & goals for myself so now I know what actions I need to take to have a good day. This includes having a day off!



The 8 types of Self-Care:


  1. Physical:


Exercise and Movement: Exercise isn't just about changing your physical appearance. Regular physical activity such as walking, jogging, yoga, or dance can improve your fitness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.


Adequate Rest and Sleep: Try to get into a consistent sleep routine, aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to promote physical recovery and mental clarity. A good tip is to avoid doom-scrolling before bed! I find that watching a movie, listening to music or reading helps me to drift off.


Energize and recharge: Slightly different to adequate rest and sleep. Do something to shut off from the outside world and take time. You can pamper yourself with a bath, facemask, and foot spa - something to relax you! I like to watch The Gilmore Girls or a girlie film and have a glass of wine and a fancy bag of crisps.


Eating & Drinking: I won't tell you what to eat. However, staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water throughout the day is important. Ensure you take care of your body's basic needs and eat & drink daily.


  1. Mental:


Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporate mindfulness practices and/or meditation into your daily routine to cultivate present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity. These can include but are not limited to: affirmations, journalling, yoga, and meditation.


Relaxation Techniques: Explore relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm. Don't stress about where in your day you can factor this in, you can do this while lying in bed in the morning or before you sleep!


Intellectual Stimulation: Engage your mind through reading books, watching new shows/movies, solving puzzles, learning new skills, or pursuing hobbies that challenge and stimulate your intellect. Remember to have fun when doing this! If you're not enjoying something, don't force it.


  1. Emotional


Emotional Awareness: Practice self-reflection and develop emotional intelligence by recognizing and acknowledging your emotions without judgment. We're human, we're not supposed to be happy & positive 24/7.


Journaling: If you can, maintain a journal to express and process your emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This helps promote self-awareness and emotional well-being. You can achieve this by writing in the notes section on your phone, it's good practice to get your thoughts out of your mind and onto something tangible. It's a good way to get out of overthinking, especially when you reflect on what you wrote days later.


Seek Support: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or a therapist to discuss your feelings and concerns, fostering emotional connection and support.


Here are some helplines for the UK if you need support:

Open Monday-Friday 9am-6pm (except bank holidays)

  • Samaritans: 116 123 (free from any phone)

Open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Open 5pm-midnight every day. If you prefer not to speak on the phone try the CALM webchat service: https://www.thecalmzone.net/suicide-prevention-helpline


  1. Spiritual


    Mindful Practices: Engage in activities that foster a sense of connection to something greater, such as meditation, prayer, or spending time in nature.


    Cultivate Gratitude: Practice gratitude by reflecting on the things you appreciate in your life. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or sharing gratitude with others.


    Engage in Meaningful Activities: Participate in activities that align with your values and provide a sense of purpose, such as volunteering, practising acts of kindness, or engaging in creative endeavours.


  2. Intellectual


    Lifelong Learning: Continuously expand your knowledge and skills through reading books, attending workshops or webinars, taking courses, or engaging in online learning platforms. There is a lot of learning content on social media which is free to access!


    Stimulating Conversations: Seek out stimulating conversations with friends, colleagues, or mentors to explore new ideas, perspectives, and knowledge.


    Creative Expression: Engage in creative outlets such as painting, writing, playing a musical instrument, or engaging in crafts to stimulate your intellect and tap into your creativity. Look at what workshops go on in your local area, libraries and galleries tend to put on free events.


  3. Environmental


    Declutter and Organize: Create a clean and organized living and working space to promote a sense of calm and productivity. Don't get into the world of CleanTok and spiral that your home doesn't look like this. A home that is lived in will never be shown home quality. Take a look at the work of Marie Kondo. She has a book "The Life-changing Magic of tidying up" A Netflix show "Tidying up with Marie Kondo" and a YouTube channel with free short content.


    If things have got on top of you and you don't know where to start, seek out help from friends/family. Contact your local social services to see if they can link you up with a cleaner to give you a head start or to help you maintain a clean space.


    Nature Connection: Spend time in nature, whether it’s taking walks in the park, gardening, or enjoying outdoor activities to foster a sense of connection and rejuvenation. It can be as far as your back garden.


  4. Social


Nurturing Relationships: Cultivate meaningful connections with friends, family, and supportive individuals who contribute positively to your life. Try to isolate yourself from people that negatively impact your life. I know this can be difficult but there are support networks out there to help.


Quality Time: Dedicate time to spend with loved ones, engaging in activities that promote connection, laughter, and shared experiences. This can include going around for a cuppa :)


Boundaries and Communication: Establish and maintain healthy boundaries in your relationships, and practice effective communication to foster healthy interactions. It's okay to say no.


  1. Financial


    Money is a difficult topic. Especially those living in the UK. Poverty is rife. I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money, everyone's circumstances are different and the way things are at the moment the main thing is to survive.


    Martin Lewis always provides great tips to save money in the UK, this covers shopping, utility bills and more. Check out his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@moneysavingexpert


    Here are some ways to gain financial self-care:


    Budgeting and Financial Planning: Create a budget to manage your finances effectively and plan for the future, reducing stress and promoting financial well-being. Create the budget by writing your income and outgoings down and then work out what you have left. I find it easier to budget my money when it's cash in my hand rather than tapping my card.


    Debt Management: Take steps to reduce debt and establish healthy financial habits, such as seeking professional advice, setting financial goals, and practising responsible spending.


    Free debt help advice UK:

    https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice


    IT'S ALL TOO MUCH!


    If you think you need to do ALL of these things for your self-care don't worry. Everyone's journey is different.


    Focus on the elements that are important to you. A lot of these practices overlap into the different categories of self-care. For example: journalling is a mental, emotional and spiritual self-care practice that can have physical benefits of alleviating stress levels and sleep management.


    Try not to focus on other people's journeys online or in your social circles. We are all living individual lives and are going on our paths.


    I love you all and take care x



    Information from: https://scottsdalerecovery.com/embracing-holistic-self-care-8-types-of-self-care-for-lasting-wellness/


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