Self Care - Am I Doing It Right?
Bubble baths? Face masks? Lighting a nice candle? - Who has done this before in the name of ‘self-care?’
It’s true a little self indulgence is brilliant and forces you to prioritise yourself for a moment but self-care is more than just these small moments you give yourself once every few weeks. Self-care done right is something that you can do every day. It may not always feel glamorous and ‘instagram-able’ but it’s so important for your mental health and well being.
So… what is it?
Self-care is more a mindset than actions you can take. Self-care is ensuring your prioritise your well-being in micro moments. For example, if you normally shower at night, have you ever felt so drained at the end of the day that you’ve skipped the shower? Or have ever had no inspiration for dinner, or simply couldn’t be bothered, so you’ve had cereal? Further to this have you ever fallen into the habit of having a wine every night or ordering take out more than you would like? Self-care is acknowledging these moments and committing to yourself to prioritise your well-being.
Some small steps you can take towards regular self-care are:
making sure you regularly wash your hair
taking a shower each day
making your bed
having movement in your day
getting enough sleep each night
being mindful of screens
putting boundaries around work emails
making healthy choices with respect to your eating
connecting with friends
getting dressed each morning (if you’re currently working from home)
trying not to work on your laptop in bed
brushing your teeth
Some of these may seem basic ,or simple, but when your mood is low or you’re experiencing high stress, even these basic behaviours can often seem too much effort or a low priority. One of the first tools we as Psychologists use when working with people experiencing stress, depression or anxiety is self-care, but real self-care. Ensuring you look after your basic needs can help set you in good steed for the day. Prioritising you is prioritising your mental health.
If you feel like your self-care has slipped, or perhaps it’s someone who is close to you, please reach out for support. Piece by Piece Therapies is a group of trained Psychologists who specialise in managing and supporting people who are struggling with their mental health. If you have any questions at all or would like to reach out for support please click the button below.
Good luck!