Self-Care and its Value

The words self-care naturally evoke different responses from clients I work with. For some, it’s interpreted as selfish, self-indulgent, unfamiliar, without meaning. Whilst for others, it’s a cherished and nurtured daily practice for the maintaining of their general well-being. Some clients find self-care a natural response to their personal needs, but many individuals learn about it and make intentional actions to embed it in their lifestyle.

The need to address a lack of self-care will often come about from experiencing and recognising feelings of burn out, stress, over commitment, resentment, anger, depression, lack of motivation, people pleasing and many more potentially uncomfortable emotions.

If you’re like I was and in the position of choosing to learn the life skills of self-care, then I hope this blog will be enriching and helpful.

As is the case when adopting any new habit, practice makes perfect. It can feel hard and really laboured when you start out with practicing a new skill. Rest assured; new skills become easier as we repeat them. New neurological pathways form in your brain, creating a feeling of familiarity, potentially a sense of grounding, a feel-good factor and positive feedback all round. This process can encourage you to embrace the new skill more frequently.

Self-care is holistic and I will focus on encompassing physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. If a person hasn’t grown up in an environment where these values have been championed and incorporated then beginning on this journey of self-care can feel alien, but let me add, it can be life changing!

Three Holistic Elements

Physical – Naturally, this relates to looking after your body, your physical health which can include a range of exercises and movement to suit your ability. The list of ideas is unending and could be along the lines of gardening, walking, playing tennis, swimming, going to the gym, yoga or practicing breathing exercises and spending time in the sunlight and nature.

Taking care of your health, visiting the GP when you sense the need, keeping up with dental appointments, taking prescribed medicines or supplements and enjoying a massage regularly, will support your physical needs.

Good sleep restores and repairs the body as you rest. Having quality sleep is important for your daily functioning and well-being. Drinking plenty of water and following a healthy diet will fill up your physical self-care tank.

Mental – Looking after these needs can encompass thinking clearly, using your wise mind instead of reacting with knee jerking responses, experiencing clarity, safety, relaxation, connectedness with your surroundings and others and managing challenging situations and/or feelings.

Reflecting on your goals, setting SMART goals, trying new hobbies, being creative, reading a book, meditation or watching your favourite TV show and more will nurture your mental well-being.

Emotional – Managing your emotions well and feeling familiar with the large range you can experience day to day can leave you feeling empowered, safe, stable, and more confident. Identifying, naming, and understanding what feelings are communicating to you and how to respond to them is helpful. Having this self-awareness is the beginning of changing and managing them.

Journalling is an insightful tool for connecting with your inner thoughts. Paying attention to your body’s sensations, expressing how you feel, saying no to others, practicing self-compassion, gratitude, spirituality, meditating, mindfulness, listening to music, joy, laughter, and a relaxing hobby will boost your emotional well-being.

Other areas of self-care are social, professional, environmental, spiritual, and financial which I will explore in a second self-care blog.

I hope this supports you in your journey of self-care in these first three elements. Champion yourself and become your own coach, you deserve to take great care of yourself.