10 steps to self-care
Self-care has become a buzz word in recent years, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, self-care is exactly what it sounds like – caring for yourself. Self-care is the practice that is at the root of wellbeing. The idea is that by caring for ourselves in a kind and compassionate way, we give ourselves the gift of wellbeing, which helps us to feel good.
The good news is that practice self-care doesn’t have to be a big job. Here are 10 simple ways that you can get started.
1. Take 10 minutes – Every day, schedule in 10 minutes that’s just for you. How you spend those 10 minutes is completely up to you. You can read a few chapters of your book, enjoy a cup of tea, watch some television or sit outside. The importance is giving yourself that time to do nothing except relax.
2. Practice mindfulness – Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has its roots in Buddhism. It can help to make you happier, allow you to savour the simple pleasures in life and be completely present in the here and now. Research has also suggested that this practice can be beneficial to our physical, mental and emotional health. The practice itself is quite simple and something you can easily incorporate into your daily life. All you have to do is pay complete attention to something you normally do on autopilot. Try it with brushing your teeth. Pay attention to how the brush feels in your hand, how the bristles feel against your teeth, the sensation of the water etc.
3. Cross a straggler off your to-do list – You know that one item that’s been sitting on your to-do list for months? Spend a few minutes or an hour just getting it done. You’ll feel amazing once you can finally cross it off.
4. Try meditation – Like mindfulness, meditation has fantastic health and wellbeing benefits and is a brilliant gift to give yourself. It doesn’t have to be hard, try meditating for one minute a day and then build it from there. To do this all you need to do is sit down in a quiet place and focus on your breathing. That’s it. If a thought arises (and they will repeatedly) when you realise that you’re thinking, gently let go of the thought and turn your attention back to your breathing. After a few tries, you should start to notice the subtle benefits of this practice.
5. Unplug for an hour – The constant notifications on our phones can be stressful. Free yourself from them by switching off your phone for an hour. Enjoy the peace and quiet. For best results, unplug for at least two hours before bed time.
6. Try some lavender – In need of a good night’s sleep? Invest in some lavender oil and dab a few drops on your pillow. Lavender is a natural sedative and will help you to drift off peacefully and easily. If you want to splurge on yourself, have a bath with some lavender bath oil an hour before bedtime.
7. Do something nice for yourself – Consider what this means to you. For one person it might be changing your bedsheets a day early or buying yourself a bouquet of fresh flowers, for another person it might be spending some time cooking a special meal just for them. Whatever ‘nice’ means to you, treat yourself and enjoy every second of it.
8. Write a gratitude list – Oprah is a big fan of this practice and for good reason. The humble gratitude list is a fantastic way to help us become aware of how rich we really are. All you need is a pen and paper. Spend five minutes writing down five things that you’re grateful for and why every evening before bed to help you end the day on a positive note. If you enjoy this practice you can invest in a beautiful notebook and pen and turn them into your special gratitude tools.
9. Check in with yourself – So many of us go through life on autopilot, not really paying attention to how we actually feel about things. Being aware of our emotions is powerful medicine and can help to bring a sense of clarity to our lives. Every day spend five minutes just asking yourself ‘How do I feel today?’ and when a feeling comes up name it. You might be surprised at what surfaces. For example, ‘anger’ may pop up or ‘sad’. Once you can know and name your emotions, you can take small actions to support yourself which will result in greater wellbeing.
10. Be kind to yourself – To paraphrase the words of self-help guru Louise Hay, you’ve spent your whole life disapproving of yourself and look where it’s gotten you. What if you tried approving of yourself instead? The words that we speak to ourselves are powerful. If we’re constantly criticising ourselves or being negative, then how can we expect to feel well and happy? Every time you catch yourself speaking to yourself in a negative voice, stop and say something positive instead. This is a powerful practice that can really build your self-esteem and have magical results.