What Does Self-Care Mean To You?

As we come to the end of Mental Health awareness week, I want to discuss something that I’ve been thinking about a lot recently – self-care.

What Is Self-Care?

If you look online, you will find that there is not actually one single definition for self-care. This means that it is subjective, and YOU can make the rules!

But, just to put it into basic terms, self-care is the act of looking after yourself and your wellbeing. It’s doing something for yourself. Something that makes you feel good and that you enjoy doing. It’s a time that you spend doing exactly what YOU want to do, without any guilt. It’s not a time to be spent thinking about work, housework or jobs that need doing (unless housework or DIY is self-care for you, in which case, carry on!)

Most importantly, and I want you to repeat after me – SELF-CARE IS NOT SELFISH.

There are many different areas of self-care. However, the main ones are; Mental, Physical and emotional. Or Mind, body and soul, if you will.

What If I Don’t Have Time For Self-Care?

There is no such thing as not having enough time for self-care. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – to HAVE time, you have to MAKE time.

Did you know that every weekend on a Saturday, I get three whole hours to myself to do whatever I want? And on a Sunday, Darren gets three whole hours to do whatever he wants? For three solid hours, we get uninterrupted time to ourselves. I cannot tell you how much of a difference it has made to our mental health. However, we do have to make the time to do it; we don’t just have the time. We make sure that any jobs that need doing have been completed, and we try to arrange plans for around our ‘quiet time’. Obviously, it’s not always possible, but mostly we can work something out.

So, Where Do I Start?

Knowing where to start with self-care can be the tricky part. So, I want you to stop and have a think for a moment. What do you enjoy doing? What makes you happy? Do you have any hobbies? Or something that you used to do but don’t have time for anymore? What is it that makes you feel relaxed and content?

It doesn’t matter what it is or how embarrassing or weird you think it is. If it works for you, what does it matter!

However, if you are still unsure what to do, keep reading as I’m sharing my top ideas for practising self-care.

Self-Care Ideas

1. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure
2. Do a facemask
3. Cover yourself in your favourite moisturiser
4. Have a long bath or shower
5. Get your hair cut
6. Put on your favourite outfit
7. Do your makeup
8. Wear your favourite jewellery
9. Have a few sprays of your most expensive perfume
10. Listen to your favourite song on repeat
11. Read a book
12. Dance like nobody is watching
13. Write in your diary and do a braindump
14. Cook or order your favourite meal
15. Read trashy magazines
16. Watch your favourite movie or TV show
17. Take a nap
18. Do some colouring
19. Sit in the sunshine
20. Do some breathing exercises
21. Practice some yoga
22. Do stretches
23. Call you mum/dad/sister/brother/best friend etc
24. Do some gardening
25. Have a digital detox for an hour or two
26. Meditate
27. Write a letter or poem
28. Buy yourself some flowers
29. Go for a walk
30. Look at photos from good times
31. Make a list of things that you are thankful for
32. Make a list of things that you like about yourself
33. Compliment yourself
34. Do some housework
35. Clean out your kitchen cupboards
36. Light some candles or wax melts
37. Sing your heart out
38. Sit in silence with a cup of tea or coffee
39. Have a nice big cuddle with someone (within your bubble, obviously!)
40. Listen to an audiobook
41. Unfollow toxic people on social media
42. Clear out your inbox
43. Do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return
44. Listen to a podcast
45. Go on a picnic
46. Do some exercise
47. Doodle your heart out
48. Declutter a draw or cupboard
49. Read some inspirational quotes
50. Go for a bike ride

Conclusion

As you can see, self-care can mean absolutely anything. As long as it makes you feel good and it’s good for your Mental, Physical and Emotional health, then carry on! Don’t let anybody tell you that your self-care routine is silly. Do what works for you.

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