I recently read an article about practising self care and it got me thinking! How many of us busy people actually take time to practice self care? We are so busy helping others that often we forget to take time for ourselves.I know myself that if I used to find myself sitting reading or eating lunch for 20 minutes that I would actually feel guilty?? How crazy is that??
Self care is defined as ,” the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.”
If we are looking after everyone, running a household, parenting children and or fur babies, then who is looking after us? Why do we catagorise self care as being lazy and selfish when it is actually a necessity not an indulgence? In this high paced world we live in constantly surrounded by instant technology, it is imperative that we learn to practice self care. Self care is a form of nourishing ourselves, replenishing our tank when it is nearly empty or empty.We have been socialised to believe that if we take time for ourselves, we are being selfish.But on the contrary, if we are to be better people, partners, spouses, friends and parents, we absolutely need to take care of ourselves as well. We need to check in with ourselves, mentally, physically and emotionally. We cannot perform our best in any areas of our lives if we are rundown, exhausted and mentally on empty.
So how do we go about practising self care
For me I make my workouts a priority as this is a way to alleviate stress and to make my body stronger and healthier.It is one hour where I do not touch my phone or computer and answer to no one but the trainer. My mind needs to be focused to perform the best I can and if I lose my concentration, my boxing routine is ruined.Other people find other forms of exercise such as yoga, running and swimming as ways to help them unwind and practice self care. Practicing daily gratitude is a huge way to practice self care and to realise that what we have and where we are is better than we thought.Being truly grateful for all we have allows us to see this.
Self care might include therapy, lunch with friends, it might even involve reading a novel or a book on self growth for 30 minutes a day.Getting a pet such as a dog and walking it is a wonderful way to meet people and take your mind off things for an hour. Whatever you choose to do to preserve or improve your mental health, your physical health and your emotional health, it should be done without any guilt attached. For if we are not our best version of our selves, then we are unable to give the best of ourselves to others.
What do you do to practice self care? I would love to hear from you