SELF Care

1. One helpful tip is to speak to yourself with compassion, as you would with a friend. Many people may be surprised to discover that their inner dialogue, or the way they talk to themselves, is often harsher than the way they address those they care about. Consider whether you treat yourself in the same way you would treat your best friend. Do you ever do kind things for yourself, just as you do for your loved ones? By practising self-compassion, you can learn to treat yourself with the same kindness and care that you would extend to a dear friend.

If you're interested in learning more about the idea of self-compassion, a great resource to consider is the book "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself" by Dr Kristin Neff. Investing in this book could be a valuable gift to yourself if you're in search of a new read.

2. It is important to use your voice and ask for what you need, as you deserve to have your needs met. Often, people hesitate to ask for even the simplest things, such as asking someone to bring an item upstairs for them. To overcome this, try practising asking for something small each day. Don't ignore the voice inside your head that wants to ask for something but hesitates. By speaking up and advocating for yourself, you can start to get what you need and deserve.

3. Creating proactive boundaries is an excellent way to care for yourself and your relationships. Unlike reactive boundaries, which are formed in response to a specific situation or threat, proactive boundaries allow you to shape the life you desire. Examples of proactive boundaries may include setting aside time for exercise, dedicating time for meditation or yoga practice, limiting exposure to negative news to protect your mental health, cultivating a social media feed that provides positivity and support, and being selective about the information you share with others. By establishing healthy boundaries, you are taking an important step towards maintaining your well-being and creating the life you want.

4. Building and maintaining healthy relationships is an essential part of overall well-being. To cultivate healthy relationships, surround yourself with people whom you already have a strong, safe connection or with whom you can develop a secure relationship with over time. It is important to consider how you can find and invest in these relationships, as well as take steps to protect and nurture them. Trusting in safe relationships can create a foundation of safety, allowing you to be vulnerable and experience healing. By prioritising healthy connections, you can enhance your overall health and well-being.

Here is an example of a summary of all these tips when they are combined.

Imagine you wake up feeling agitated and easily annoyed with your family. You notice that these feelings manifest physically, like a tightness in your stomach or a heaviness in your shoulders.

Instead of being hard on yourself, you speak to yourself compassionately, acknowledging that this is a difficult situation. You remind yourself that you love your family but also recognise that in order to be there for them, you need to take care of yourself first.

With compassion, you consider what might be causing these negative feelings and what you need to feel good. You decide that a slower start to the morning would help, so you use your voice to express this need to your family. You ask them for space and to wait until you finish your morning tea before asking you any questions. Holding this boundary is important to help you be more present and available for them in the long run.

Finally, you treat yourself like a friend and congratulate yourself for taking these positive steps. By using these strategies, you can show up as your best self and build healthy relationships with your loved ones.

Consider practising these self-care strategies, whether it's one at a time or all together. Remember, every day is a chance to prioritise your well-being and give yourself the care you need.

What does self-care mean to you? There are many ways to take care of yourself, and it can mean different things to different people.

Consider all the ways you can practice self-care! It could mean indulging in a bubble bath or taking time to meditate. It could be as simple as treating yourself to a manicure or carving out time to watch your favourite game or show. But remember, true self-care involves setting proactive boundaries, using your voice to ask for what you need, speaking to yourself with kindness, and prioritising healthy relationships.

If you're considering therapy as part of your self-care journey, we encourage you to reach out for support. Whatever you choose to do, remember that you deserve wonderful things, and each day is a new opportunity to provide yourself with the care you need and deserve.