I’m going to start this post with a bit of an understatement: the last year has been a tough one. Next week will see us meet the one year mark of when our lives all changed dramatically, and what a year it has been. Despite many of us spending more time at home, very few of us have been prioritising taking care of ourselves despite this playing a huge role in our general wellbeing. With parents having to take on the new role of a full-time teacher, key workers under extreme pressure and people struggling to gain a work/life balance now their homes have become offices…where is the time? Sometimes just making it through the day is a success story in itself but these additional stresses that have fallen into our lives only further prove the point that self-care is vital to a healthy mind.
There is still very much a culture where taking time to look after yourself can be seen as an unnecessary luxury but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to be the best version of yourself in work, life or relationships you need to feel like the best version of yourself.
Often when you see the term ‘Self Care’ you think of face masks and massages but actually, the practices are endless and, since we’re not going to be able to get to a spa any time soon, it’s important to find other ways to bring you that same level of peace. Often, the kindest things you can do for yourself have nothing to do with pamper sessions (although I wouldn’t say no!) and everything to do with removing negativity from your life where you can. I’ve listed some of my favourites below.
My Favourite Self Care Methods
- Take 30 minutes a day to do something you love – Read that book, listen to a podcast in the bath, be creative…it doesn’t matter what it is, just make sure it’s something that makes you happy.
- Social Media detox – Take a day away from your Social Media apps, the constant stream of news and other peoples polished lives is a lot and you often don’t realise the damage it’s doing until you take a break.
- Review who you follow – Make sure the people you follow on social media are accounts and/or individuals that bring you joy or valuable information. Anyone else can and should be removed (or muted at the very least).
- Move your body – I’m a huge advocate for exercise for your mind rather than your body but this doesn’t always have to be an intense workout. I love basic Yoga videos on YouTube, stretching with some relaxing music is really calming even if for 10 minutes.
- Get some fresh air every day – This one is so important, especially for those that are working from home every day at the moment. Sometimes getting yourself outdoors if you don’t “need to” is harder than you think, but it’s a wonderful way of taking a moment to breathe.
- Journal – Keeping emotions or stresses bottled up inside can only last so long. Talking to other people about these things is so important but if you don’t feel ready or able, writing in a journal is an excellent way to let some of those stresses or worries free.
And the most important and compulsory form of self-care is to be kind to yourself. Life isn’t easy even at the best of times and it’s made ten times harder if you let that negative voice in your head make its way to the front. We’re all just doing our best so make sure you are acknowledging your achievements no matter how small. I’ve said it before but sometimes just making it through the day is a win, so take a minute to say you smashed it!
Benefits of Self Care
- Increased positive thinking
- A reduction in anxiety
- Finding outlets to relieve stress throughout the day can result in an improved sleep pattern
- Taking time for yourself will give renewed focus, increasing productivity levels
- Improved relationships
- Learning how to recognise your real emotions/feelings.
Sometimes it feels easier said than done but you need to prioritise yourself. No matter the job, situation or environment you find yourself in, you can’t pour from an empty cup so eventually, something is going to have to give. Please don’t let it be your health.
Thank you so much Amanda and Marissa for having me on your blog and thanks to everybody for reading. If you would like to check out more of my posts you can find my blog here and Instagram here.
Stacey
Really good tips, it’s so important to practice self care!
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It really is!
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This year has taken such a toll on my mental health. I’ve enacted almost all of your tips here and they’ve truly made all the difference! Disconnecting and taking time for myself are great habits I hope I can stick with for awhile
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I’m so glad 😀
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Thanks for having me girls 💜
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Of course!! Thank you! ❤️
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These are all great tips! Taking time for ourselves as you said is considered a luxury but shouldn’t! I love doing some exercises and relax with a face mask on! As you said being kind to ourselves is the best self-care we can do! Thanks for sharing x
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Definitely shouldn’t be considered a luxury. So agree! Thank you for reading our guest post ❤️
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Outstanding tips keep posting keep going
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Thank you for reading our guest post!
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My pleasure 😊
I am your new follower you may also support me by following
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Such great advice, need to share this with the family. It’s social media breaks that my son and daughter need the most help with, hard one to break but so worth it. Have a beautiful day.
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It’s definitely a hard one to break! Thank you for reading our guest post, have a beautiful day as well ❤️
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I love these methods! Thank you for sharing this! I had a social media detox last month and it was so helpful!
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Social media detox helps so much! Thank you for reading our guest post ❤️
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I love this! You’re so right in saying self-care is more than face masks and pamper indulgence. It’s all about being kind to yourself, setting boundaries, and doing what you love xx
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Yesss! Thank you for reading our guest post ❤️
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Self care has become such an important part in people’s lives! I love that it is helping create a positive balance too. Exercise is a big part of how I unwind too, mainly because of the focus it offers. 🙂
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Yes! Love the focus it gives as well. Thank you for reading our guest post Jaya ❤️
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I love journaling for self-care. It really helps to release the stress in my head.
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Same!! Thank you for reading our guest post ❤️
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Absolutely loved this post! It is so important to practice self-care and I have to admit that I don’t do this enough myself. You are totally right, going to a spa isn’t the only way to look after ourselves and relax. Will definitely be taking some of these tips to heart and actually do them, thank you so much for sharing!
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So happy you enjoyed! Thank you for reading our guest post ❤️
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Some amazing tips! I really love moving my body – being it exercise or having a dance! Always makes me feel better!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
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I agree!! I also enjoy a good dance break! Thanks for reading our guest post ❤️
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Great tips! I agree, self-care is more about removing negativity from your life than pampering yourself. For me, taking a half hour to do something I enjoy, can be the kindest and most healing thing I can do. Thanks for sharing your methods of self-care! I will definitely be adding a few of them to my routine.
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Yes exactly! Thank you so much for reading our guest post ❤️
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I love the idea of just taking 30 minutes a day for yourself. It seems so much more manageable.
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Yes! Same here! Thank you for reading our guest post ❤️
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