Self-care is an important skill for everyone to learn.
When life gets busy, self-care is often the first thing that gets neglected or sacrificed.
People think taking care of themselves is being selfish, but taking care of yourself and your well-being will enable you to be productive and to care for others.
- in order to show care and compassion for others we need to maintain self-care and self-compassion
- self-care also prevents burnout, (it helps us reset, prevents exhaustion)
- self-care helps protect our relationships (with ourselves and others, family, friends and colleagues)
- self-care makes us more effective, (we need to give our mind, body and spirit time and energy to re-fuel. This helps us become more productive and more resilient to stressors).
Some ideas for self care:
- rest when you need to
- do something physical to get your body moving
- eat good food
- sleep well
- drink water often
- spend time with family/whanau and friends
- ask for what you need
- praise yourself – give yourself a pat on the back every day
- be honest - pretending is exhausting, and hides your real needs
- forgive yourself - don’t expect too much of yourself
- give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel
- treat yourself to something you really enjoy
- give yourself all the time you need, to handle the things on your plate
- keep yourself safe
- be patient with yourself - you’re only human
- be creative.... sing, dance, paint or write
- practice yoga or meditation
- spend time with people who are affirming, optimistic, positive, and replenishing
- get the help you need if you feel stuck.