Tis’the Season to Prioritise Self Care
Self care is not just a bullshit saying or hashtag!
Self care is about creating space and taking time to do things that contribute positively to your physical and mental well-being. Our physical and mental well-being often get pushed down the list of priorities because we think we need to make ourselves a grand gesture but that isn’t what it’s all about.
When talking about your mental health self care can help reduce stress levels, keep minor illnesses at bay, improve sleep quality and boost your energy levels.
Here are some simple things you can do to take better care of yourself......
Move your body, it’s hot!
Walk, run, hit the gym, dance around your house, clean your house, get some winter gardening done, yoga, pilates, choose whatever suits your lifestyle and routine best, just make time for some form of movement each day. These activities are often completed away from screens, which is a bonus, but just 30 mins of movement each day is a huge boost for the brain and the bod.
Hydrate, your brain and skin will thank you for it!
It’s Christmas and that often comes with lots of festive beverage options whether it’s your favourite seasonal latte or a glass of mulled wine but it is important to ensure you don’t get neglect that H2O in take. Staying hydrated helps with brain function, getting to sleep and staying asleep, it helps protect your skin from the drying cold weather, and it also helps aid your digestive health.
You don’t have to socialise, but stay connected.
It is the season of socialising which is great if you are up for it, not so great if you aren’t. It can make us feel like if we say no to plans we need to accept being alone, you don’t. Call a friend, text someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, tell someone you care about them on a voicenote. It is easy allow ourselves to feel isolated if we disconnect from the people around us but take it from me, they want to hear from you.
Keep it simple.
Self care doesn’t have to be complicated, sometimes it is as simple as having a bath, washing your hair, painting your nails, changing your bed sheets for a cosier night’s sleep, putting on your favourite outfit, wearing your favourite shoes. If it help’s to make you feel good, it’s self care and the power of that can make a big difference to your day.
Reduce pressure by prioritising to suit your needs.
There will always be lots of things that need to be done but they don’t all need to be done right now. Make a list, check it twice, and put things in order of urgency. Don’t forget to add self care to that list, somewhere near the top because that can’t wait.
