Practicing Self Care…
As a company that commits itself to the well-being & mental wellness of our staff, we think it’s vital to share information that can help & encourage a positive mindset.
In this blog, we have chosen to focus on that all-important task of ‘practicing self-care’. But it’s such a generalised statement, isn’t it? Sounds a bit corny, I mean what even is self-care?
Studies suggest that understanding & practicing your own self-care can contribute to reducing stress, anxiety, PTSD, and phobias, but it’s hard to know where to start. I’m going to give you some tips & ideas, some of which I’ve practiced & continue to practice myself…
Why is self-care important?
Life can pass us by fast… we spend 90% of our time at work, thinking about work, or being completely absorbed in the general worries and stresses everyday life can generate, that’s without bringing our individual personalities & life experiences into it (some of which can be a contributing factor of anxiety, phobias, stress & post-traumatic stress).
Besides the benefits of receiving professional treatment & the various types of counseling & therapy now available, self-care can be delivered by YOU to YOU!
Do you feel like you might benefit from professional help?
There are various options when it comes to the help provided by a professional counselor or therapist. One of the more successful forms of treatment for problems such as anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress is ‘Systematic Desensitisation’.
The aim of this is to remove the fear of a phobia or negative thoughts that contribute towards anxiety or responses associated with a traumatic event. ‘Systematic Desensitisation’ is practiced by engaging with a relaxing technique whilst being exposed to the causes of a phobia, anxiety, or trauma.
This includes treatment such as:
- Muscular relaxation
- Verbal relaxation
- Mental relaxation
- Differential relaxation
- Conditioned relaxation
As always, it’s important to remember that these methods and types of treatment are best delivered by a professional.
How can you practice your own self-care?
There are many ways in which we can all take care of ourselves, here are just a few examples, you may even be doing some of these already!
Exercise… whether at home or in the gym, exercise releases serotonin & improving energy & mood, whilst simultaneously releasing toxins from the body.
Meditation… there are many options available for meditation, such as digital programmes/platforms, books, & even meditation classes.
Take a walk... there really is nothing like a lungful of fresh air & abandoning the sights & sounds of your busy life for open, scenic surroundings. Why not capture the world around you? This will help to train your focus & also help you to stay active.
Invest in an oil diffuser/burner… dim the lights, kick back & practice long, slow breaths whilst clearing your mind; you may even want to have a soak in the bath. A few drops of essential oils in the water will work wonders for clearing your mind. Evidence suggests that citrus scents provide the most success in heightening the senses.
Listen to your favourite songs… turn the volume up & dance! Much like exercise, this will result in the release of serotonin & improve your general mood. Having a good sing-along is also a great way to take things off your mind.
Diet… you are what you eat, there are many benefits of certain types of food. It’s amazing how much your physical, as well as your psychological health, can change for the better by watching what you put in your body.
Sleep… it’s one of the more commonly known facts that ensuring you get the right amount & right kind of sleep will benefit not only your mental but also physical health.
Declutter… a clear home really does equal a clear mind; how can you truly expect to relax if you are surrounded by chaos, so do a bit of tidying up!
Unplug… we are all slaves to our devices and it's not good for our health, so nominate a day in the week (or days if you’re feeling brave) & switch off! Put your phone in a drawer, turn your laptop or iPad off & then you're free to reconnect with your physical environment.
We all invest so much time & effort in taking care of those around us but often forget about ourselves in the process.
Whatever you choose to do, remember self-care is all about YOU!
