Self-care is a term that is thrown around a lot, but it’s more than simply being a buzzword of current times. Self-care is essential for looking after your mind, body and spirit – it’s taking extra time to show yourself kindness, as well as finding time to relax and counteract busy and stressful routines. The longer self-care gets neglected, the more your mental and even physical wellbeing can take a hit.
Signs Your Self-Care Needs A Boost
Aches and pains in your body, such as a strained back and neck
Feeling mentally and physically exhausted
Having a busy and demanding routine with limited time for relaxation
Your general hygiene or health routine has taken a back seat
You can’t remember the last time you gave yourself extra attention and care
The Importance Of Self-Care
The importance of self-care can be considered on many levels. In a physical sense, it can be about working out your body and mind’s kinks and knots, like taking the time to go for a massage in Oxford and enjoy a day of indulgence and spa treatments. It can also be about taking extra time on your skincare routine, like using moisturiser or applying a new skin lotion.
Furthermore, it can be about saying no to any social plans so that you have time to yourself at home, getting in some “me time” and resetting your batteries. In any case, self-care can mean something different to everyone, so you simply need to find what makes you feel cared for on your own terms.
Make Time For Self-Care
A good way to make time for self-care is to make official appointments that you can treat as plans. That way, it’s less easy to forget or to get distracted by other things. It’s also perfect for those needing to cancel other plans – such as social occasions – if they want time to themselves since they can then say they have an appointment booked that they need to attend.
Your self-care appointments could be for a full body massage, a beauty treatment, a nail appointment or maybe even a yoga class. On the other hand, it might mean a simple day off spent at home doing what you enjoy or taking an afternoon out in nature – whatever you feel is best for you to unwind.
Set One Day A Week For Yourself
If you have one day to look forward to that you know is always designated for “me time”, this can help your positive outlook for the rest of the week. Even if you’re going through a busy or stressful schedule, you’ll know you have that day off coming up where you can concentrate only on yourself.
To ensure you always have that day, you can make plans to avoid other responsibilities, such as an evening you order takeaway food instead of cooking or the one night you arrange a babysitter so you can have the house to yourself.
Do Short Bursts Of Self-Care Throughout The Week
If you struggle to fit in an evening or day for self-care, there’s no reason you can’t do it in short periods throughout the week. It could be taking an extra ten minutes before bed to spend more time on your skincare routine or ten minutes during your lunch break to switch off your phone and read some of your favourite book.