Self-care is a personal matter that is different for everyone. Sometimes we tend to ignore our emotions and let them bottle up which can lead to stress or unhealthy ways of coping with stress.
Self-care refers to doing activities that help process the emotions and reactions associated with events we experience day in and day out. Self-care is about doing activities that help reduce stress and enhance your health, wellbeing and energy levels.
By making self-care a daily activity in your life you can enjoy your life to its full potential and be able to cope with stress in healthier ways.
Self-care will help you build and maintain meaningful and valued relationships with your family, friends, community and most importantly with yourself.
Aspects of self-care
Self-care in the workplace
Working Monday to Friday doesn’t mean you have to stress yourself out for the week and put self-care on hold until the weekend. Self-care in the workplace is about actively looking after your own wellbeing and mental health, it’s about finding a healthy balance between your work lifestyle and personal lifestyle.
Sometimes we tend to get the two mixed up which can feel overwhelming and can cause us undue stress. Our thoughts and emotions are energy in motion. By nurturing our own needs through self-care practices, we can be more supportive and present for others and for ourselves.
Try some of these self-care tips to help balance your work and personal life:
Try exercising before or after work
Exercising improves your overall mood by increasing the production of endorphins which will also help decrease feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Combining this with a healthy and balanced diet can help provide important nutrients, vitamins and minerals to help keep your body and mind happy, strong and healthy.
Take some time off to gather your thoughts by meditating or going to a place of worship
Meditation is about experiencing our essential nature of peace, happiness and tranquility. By quieting the mind, through meditation we can help eliminate unhealthy thoughts, behaviours and stress. Meditating on a regular basis has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and help improve the immune system.
Spend some time with loved ones
Spending time with family, friends and colleagues can help create a bond and build long-lasting connections. Your support network plays an important role in helping you achieve personal and professional goals, they play an important role in times of stress and serve as a comfort factor knowing that your family, friends and colleagues are there to support you.
Draw boundaries
Find a balance between your professional and personal life by making boundaries so you don’t have to stress about work in your personal time. In order for your free time to be stress free try responding to work emails and calls during work hours. There’s only so much you can do during work hours so go home on time and continue the rest of your work next time you’re in the office. Try eating your lunch outside the office. Having lunch at the local park or at the beach (if it’s close to you) helps improve wellbeing and boost your mood by changing the environment you’re used to. Next time enjoy your meal with a different view.
Your self-care journey
To start your self-care journey, make a commitment to your wellbeing by engaging in activities that give you positive energy and lower your stress levels.
Keep in mind self-care is different for everyone, so do what works for you. When you choose an activity that works for you, do it on a regular basis as this will serve you not only for today but for the future. It’s important to keep in mind and notice your stressors so you can engage in self-care when you notice those stressors arising as this will help manage your physical and emotional wellbeing.
