Taking care of yourself
We all should look after our well-being the way we look after the well-being of our children, friends, partner and loved ones. Self-care is important because it makes us more resilient and happy individuals who are more than capable of showing love and affection to others. Self-care also helps us fight stress and reduce its impact on our health and well-being. But you might ask ‘how might I practise self-care? How do I ensure that I am taking care of myself properly?
Taking care of yourself by challenging your mind
Take up a new challenge. Research shows that the more we challenge our mental prowess, the wiser we become. Try a new hobby, drive to a new place, solve some mental problems, draw, learn a new skill or read something new – all these are great ways to take good care of your mental health.
Taking care of yourself by learning to accept and manage your emotions
Dealing with emotions can be really challenging especially when you are coping with stress. So how do you take care of your emotional health? The first thing can do is to accept that it is not every day that we feel good. We are all subject to negative emotions. What matters more is how you handle them. Denying negative emotions (often by the familiar mantra ‘think positive’) can give you temporary relief but it could also lead to worse outcomes. When you are feeling down – accept it! You can try writing them down – it helps you clarify your emotions and understand the real cause of your problems. Cry when you need to. Talk to a friend or see a counsellor. Look for healthier outlets such as yoga or meditation, practise gratitude and be confident that you will be able to get through the tough times.
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Taking care of yourself by nurturing your physical health
Dealing with stress is harder when you are physically unfit. Self-care does not only include your mental and emotional health, but also your physical well-being. Incorporating good habits like yoga, meditation and exercise in hour daily life can greatly boost your health. Proper nutrition and quality rest should also be included.
Taking care of yourself by being mindful of your spiritual health
Knowing your core values, those that really matter to you, is crucial to practicing self-care. Some great tips to look after your spiritual health include attending church activities, meditating, praying, writing a journal, spending time with nature and practicing compassion.
Taking care of yourself by connecting with others
Connecting with others is one way to practise self-care. As social beings, we have this innate need for social connectedness and sense of belongingness. During difficult times, it can greatly help to go out for a lunch date with a friend, join a support group, and spend more quality time with your family. Being part of a social circle reminds us that we are not alone.
Taking care of yourself by engaging in pleasurable activities
Watch a movie, do some gardening, play with your pets, go somewhere relaxing, get a massage, indulge in an hour-long bath or take yourself out to eat. Engaging in pleasurable activities is a great way to take care of yourself when you are feeling stressed. Just make sure that such activity is not harming your mental, emotional and physical health.
Taking care of yourself by being mindful
Focus on the present. Focus on what’s around you at the moment; the smells, sights, sounds, touch. This will keep your mind off from worrying. Practising mindfulness has plenty of benefits to your health and well-being and is a simple yet very powerful self-care strategy.
Take care!
Find out more
Would you want to discuss this further with our psychotherapist? Are you based in West London and would you want to find our more? Please feel free to book an appointment with our West London based Bridge To Health Psychotherapist Ania Jorgenson at 07311 088 988 or by email at ania@bridgetohealth.co.uk. Or simply book an appointment directly. She will be happy to see you at our Ealing or Uxbridge clinics.
