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Prioritising Self-Care and Increase Your Wellbeing

User Profile: LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS August 2nd, 2024

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Hi Community!

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, often neglecting our own well-being. However, taking time for self-care isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity for maintaining good mental health. Let's explore the importance of self-care, share some practical tips, and inspire each other to make it a daily habit.

Why Self-Care Matters

Self-care is all about taking intentional steps to care for your physical, emotional, and mental health. It’s not about being selfish; it’s about recognising that you can’t pour from an empty cup. When we prioritise self-care, we boost our resilience, reduce stress, and improve our overall quality of life. It's an essential practice that helps us recharge, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves.

Simple Self-Care Practices You Can Start Today

  1. Mindful Moments: Take a few minutes each day to simply breathe and be present. Whether it’s through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply sitting quietly, these moments can help center your mind and reduce stress.

  2. Nourishing Your Body: Eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep are fundamental self-care practices. They provide the energy needed to tackle daily challenges and maintain a balanced mood.

  3. Physical Activity: Incorporate movement into your routine, whether it’s a full workout, a leisurely walk, or taking your dog for a walk. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.

  4. Creative Expression: Engage in activities that spark joy and creativity, like drawing, writing, cooking, or playing music. These hobbies can be therapeutic and provide a wonderful outlet for self-expression.

  5. Setting Boundaries: Learn to say no and protect your energy. Whether it’s taking a break from social media, setting limits on work hours, or creating personal boundaries, this practice is crucial for preventing burnout.

  6. Connecting with Loved Ones: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Positive social interactions can enhance your mood and provide a sense of belonging.

  7. Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. Acknowledge your feelings and challenges without judgment. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay sometimes.

Making Self-Care a Habit

  1. Start Small: You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Begin with small, manageable steps and gradually build your self-care routine.

  2. Schedule It: Treat self-care like any other important appointment. Set aside dedicated time for it, whether it’s a few minutes each day or a longer session each week.

  3. Listen to Your Needs: Pay attention to what your mind and body are telling you. Adjust your self-care practices according to what feels right for you at any given time.

  4. Be Consistent: Regular self-care practices are more effective than occasional ones. Consistency helps create a solid foundation for ongoing mental and emotional well-being.

Share Your Self-Care Practices

What does self-care look like for you? 

Take care, and let’s continue this journey together! 🌿🌻

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

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User Profile: amiablePeace77
amiablePeace77 August 2nd, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS

Thank you for a great post, Lisa. I find that listening to our needs is really important. I used to ignore them but realized that ignoring them will harm me at the end.

What does self-care look like for you?  

Taking time for myself, time for exercise, meditation and napping. I will do that shortly so I will be refreshed later on. I made Sunday my spa day, so I will take care of my skin and body in general. I find in this hot weather this is particularly important to prevent sun damage. 

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User Profile: LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS OP August 5th, 2024

@amiablePeace77

How beautiful Ami :) and thank you for sharing! I love naps and when I can around my girls I do enjoy a nap. I look forward to when I can have more of them haha. What does your spa day involve? I love the sound of it :) 

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User Profile: amiablePeace77
amiablePeace77 August 5th, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS

Hope you get more nap time soon Lisa. Yesterday my spa day included doing a hair mask (egg yolk and oil) as well as oiling the whole body with coconut oil (recommendation of my previous dermatologist). I also do yoga and meditation.

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User Profile: soulsings
soulsings August 4th, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS Thank you for this thread. Those are great self care activities and I think it is good to have a foundation like that of caring for oneself.

I was wondering what you thought about a possible later stage of self care where we care for the relationships in our lives by learning how to treat others with that same care we treat ourselves. I think this can make our self care deeper and stronger because after we build a routine to keep ourselves stable, by treating others right we can build lasting relationships based on mutual respect. That may be a high aspiration but I think for me it is worth considering because I am happier when I treat people with respect and kindness.


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User Profile: LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS OP August 5th, 2024

@soulsings

Wow, what an excellent point. I agree entirely! I think we should prioritise treating others well and if that means we model it on our own self-care routine that is excellent. I think you always treat people with respect and kindness and I am so sure those around you feel it too. How do you think self-care and treating others with care and respect is connected? 

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User Profile: soulsings
soulsings August 6th, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS thank you for your kind words.

I think the benefit of caring about others, is I spend less time striving and thinking about trying to be happy with another ice cream or doing something. When I do not consider others and just think aboout myself something is missing.

I am happiest when I can make another person smile or feel better. I think it is the nurturing impulse that feels fulfilled when it helps others. I think even babies have compassion for others but with all the things people go through it gets conditioned out of us by the time we grow up, but it is still there. 

I would be interested to know what others think and what experiences they may have. 

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User Profile: TU100OT
TU100OT August 6th, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS

Thank you for the life reminder. It was much needed. I will keep coming back to this post, as and when I want to remind myself about self care :) <3 🥰

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User Profile: LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS OP August 7th, 2024

@TU100OT

I'm so glad you found it useful :)

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User Profile: TU100OT
TU100OT August 7th, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS


😇

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User Profile: cyanPlatypus6370
cyanPlatypus6370 August 6th, 2024

@Lisa I'm hopefully bookmarking this to come back and read. It's definitely time for bed atm. Thanks for putting this post together for us 😊

@LisaMeighanmscgmbpss

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User Profile: LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS OP August 7th, 2024

@cyanPlatypus6370

That makes me so happy to hear you will bookmark it :) I hope it continues to be a positive reminder to take care of yourself. We all need more care to be shown towards ourselves by ourselves!

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User Profile: Espejo
Espejo August 6th, 2024

@LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS

#5 Setting Boundaries has changed the way I interact with others as well as how I relate to my own time and energy. When I was younger it felt like I had unlimited time, but now I realized that I had to set boundaries around what I would/could do with family, friends, colleagues, etc. 

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User Profile: LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS
LisaMeighanMScGMBPsS OP August 7th, 2024

@Espejo

Boundaries are so important. We need them to feel safe and so do others. :) I'm glad you realised the importance of them. 

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