Self Care & Hobbies (Mental Health Awareness)
Hello All! Hope you are having a good day/ morning/ afternoon/ evening <3
With it being Mental Health Awareness Week I have taken the time to get a lil bit of info for you all on Self-Care and Hobbies. There's a few questions at the end to get you thinking :P I hope you enjoy a lil read and if you have any extra knowledge on self care and hobbies you wish to share please do!
What is Self Care?
Self care is the practice of taking and action to improve ones own health.
Why is Self Care Important?
Self-care is the most important way to boost and maintain both emotional and physical health. Many people today neglect it due to a lack of time, and this negatively impacts the lives of those who do not make sure they are putting themselves first. Self care should always come first, and should never be a reward.
Self Care helps you:
Give your mind a break / Clear mind
Time to clearly accept and think about your thoughts
Most importantly to ‘Reboot your brain so you can stay engaged.
Remember...
Self care is different for each person. It could be laying in the bath having a soak or going to have a massage or a pedicure. It may just being doing some of your favourite hobbies ( for me that would be doing crafts :P )
Importance of Hobbies
Hobbies are important to have and enjoy for many reasons..
Physical. Physical hobbies have clear physiological benefits because they increase both your heart rate and brain function.
Mental and Emotional. Carving out time for activities you enjoy is an easy way to improve your mental health and overall emotional well-being.
Social and Interpersonal. Hobbies are a great way to socialize and meet new friends and gain new skills.
Questions…
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
Do you usually practice self-care?
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
Stay Strong
Joy <3
@JoyIntoDarkness
Thank you for this thoughtful post and for taking time to reply to so many people!
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
On my days off work i could spend an extra little bit of time doing something for myself such as listening to music, taking an extra long shower or listening to a relaxation track. I will always take time to drink tea which i find relaxing.
Do you usually practice self-care?
I am terrible at practicing self care and should try and take more time to do it!
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
I make cards however haven't done this for a while.
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
I would love to be in a choir, however cannot sing!
@Gracey
Thank you for replying my Friesis means Soooo much to me! 
Spending a little more time on you on your days off sounds like a super duper idea! - long showers are always great and listening to music is super relaxing. A cuppa tea is always a great way to calm and relax (I love a good cuppa tea myself too 
). Self care isn't easy and i am not great at doing it myself (as you are aware) working on improving self care can be super benificial and maybe its something we can learn together! Making card is super creative and you have to have an amazing eye for detail! Singing in a chior can be super fun and you may not think you can sing but a little secret... everyone can some are just better than others - there are many chiors which are about for people to join and they dont expect you to be a great singer so maybe this is something you could look into for you
Thankyou Soooo much for Sharing!
Super Proud of you!
Stay Strong and Keep Fighting!
-Joy <3 Your friend, Lil sis, you Friesis
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
Eating 3 meals. Drinking my protein shake.
Do you usually practice self-care?
No
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
Reading and drawing
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
Gardening
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
Be active and do yoga/take walks
Do you usually practice self-care?
Yes, most of the time.
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
Sewing!
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
I would take up making things out of clay
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
I plan to meditate at least once this week as well as go for a long walk in order to clear my mind when it becomes too "crowded".
Do you usually practice self-care?
I try to practice self-care but sometimes I let myself become too busy and forget to.
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
My main hobby is reading, but I have not been doing that as much lately. I am trying to allow myself more time to read now.
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
I would choose to start drawing
1. What can you do for you for self-care this weekend?
Spending some time with my family
2. Do you usually practice self-care?
Nope
3. Do you have a hobby? What is it?
Listening to music
4. If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
Learning to play the violin
1. What can you do for you for self-care this weekend?
Take time for myself
2. Do you usually practice self-care?
yes, sometimes
3. Do you have a hobby? What is it?
I listend to music all the time. I sing and play a lot of instruments. I also play feeldhockey. And I like to read and go for walks.
4. If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
I am already very happy with what I do and what I'm able to do. I would love to be able to travel a lot. But corona doesn't like that idea I think :(
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
talk to my friends, take my meds, stretch
Do you usually practice self-care?
Yes
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
ballet and writing
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
I started teaching myself ukulele when I was staying with friends. I'd restart if I had one!
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care?
I can plan my day and make my journal.
Do you usually practice self-care?
I try to, at least.
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
I like to read, if that counts as a hobby 
? And I love to sing as well.
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
I might take up an instrument, like piano.
1. What can you do for you for self-care this weekend?
paint
2. Do you usually practice self-care?
No
3. Do you have a hobby? What is it?
Listening to music
4. If you could start a new hobby what would you choose?
playing guitar
What can you do for you this week in terms of self-care? - I've been getting back into a better routine. Trying to sleep better.
Do you usually practice self-care? - I do. It's one of my favorite things to do.
Do you have a hobby? What is it? - I have many but writing and reading are the top.
If you could start a new hobby what would you choose? - I think I would get into baking. I have never been much of a baker.
