Practicing Self-Care
Self-care has become a buzzword in everyday life, as mental health has emerged as a priority and preventing burnout has become a central goal for many young people. If you’re anything like me, the word self-care conjures up an image of soaking in the bath or doing a skin care routine. And if that’s what you do for self-care and it works for you, awesome!
Unfortunately for some of us, myself included, it can feel sometimes that you’re engaging in what society views as “self-care” but it feels disingenuous somehow. Like you’re doing all the right things but it still isn’t replenishing you.
That’s because self-care is an individualised activity, and it differs from person to person. It’s up to you to find what fills your cup, and although the answers can’t be found in a simple Google search, here is a little activity to do to discover the activities that give you energy and wellbeing.
There are six types of activities that help us create value and meaning in our lives:
1. Giving to others and having a positive influence
Funny enough, one way to take care of yourself is to take care of others. Giving to others could range from something small like giving a compliment or listening to a friend vent, all the way to something bigger like volunteering your time at a local soup kitchen.
2. Being active
When we exercise, our brain releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins (the same chemicals are released when we eat chocolate!). Being active doesn’t necessarily mean we have to hit the gym or run a marathon. It also includes more moderate forms of activity like stretching or walking.
3. Embracing the moment
These are times when we’ve paid full attention with our five senses to something or someone with openness and curiosity. This could be listening to new music, or experiencing the taste of your favourite food, or maybe enjoying the smell of fresh laundry.
4. Challenging yourself and learning
Maybe there is an activity that you’ve been meaning to try but have been putting off because it is outside your comfort zone. Maybe it’s something you used to love doing but have stopped because you didn’t have the time or you thought you weren’t good enough at it. Whatever it is, making room for improvement and growth is a crucial part of filling our cup.
5. Looking out for your basic needs
Sometimes self-care is about going back to the basics – getting enough sleep, eating well and showering regularly. It’s also about being aware of our emotional needs, such as being kinder to ourselves after a hard day or letting ourselves have a cry if we feel overwhelmed.
6. Connecting with others
There is no better antidote than human connection with people we care about. This might involve friends, family, pets – anyone whose companionship and company adds value to your life.
Spending time to go through each of those six categories to find what activities serve to recharge your batteries can offer us a more meaningful and holistic way to practice self-care and prioritise looking after ourselves.
