Creating a routine of self-care

Creating a routine of self-care

I have a confession…I speak so often about self-care and the importance of creating a routine, but I must admit that I have often fallen off the wagon myself. As we all know, this past year has been incredibly difficult, with so much to juggle – work, family, mental health. It hasn’t been easy - even the most resilient of people have been challenged this year, as the world has turned on its axis and asked us to completely change the way we live our lives. That is no mean feat, and we should all congratulate ourselves for simply surviving.
If you have fallen off the wagon too then my first tip for you is not to lose heart – you can establish a routine again to get yourself in a positive and healthy mindset. Here’s a few practices to ease you back in…

Breathing
Breathe. Just breathe. Simple right? You’d think so, but without even realising it we’re often holding our breath and creating an irregular breathing pattern. Taking the time for some deep, cleansing breaths will bring a feeling of instant calm and peace.

Sleeping
There’s a reason they use sleep deprivation as a form of torture…lack of sleep really does affect us on every level – physical, emotional and spiritual. Our body needs sleep in order to rest, repair and regenerate. Without it we are useless – exhausted, drained and miserable. Try winding down before bed with a good book or a milky drink. Make sure you’re allowing yourself enough time to sleep too – just an hour earlier than usual could make all the difference.

Eating
We need to fuel our systems with wholesome food that gives us energy and nourishment. It’s all too easy to reach for quick-fix snacks when those blood-sugar levels drop, when really what we need are whole grains and slow-release carbohydrates. If you’re short on time in the week, I’d really recommend taking the time to batch cook some healthy meals each weekend, so they’re ready and waiting for when hunger strikes.

Drinking
I know everyone always talks about how important it is to drink 2 litres of water a day, but I promise you, it really is! I can really feel the difference if I don’t. Why not treat yourself to a funky new water bottle to carry round with you, so hydration is always within reach? It also helps you ditch the plastic water bottles, so it’s kind to Mother Earth too.

Moving
There are so many fun options to get you moving more. Everything from mindfulness for walking playlists, Zoom classes and Couch to 5K, to park runs, colour runs and everything in between! Why not take it slow at first by just making sure you’re reaching your 10,000 steps a day? You could pop your headphones in and go for a stomp around your local park, or even meet a friend and have a coffee on a bench halfway through. Exercise, especially in the great outdoors, is a powerful way to reset your mind, as well as help condition your body.

Take it step by step and soon you will have a fantastic routine re-established, that will nourish your mind, body and soul.

How to cultivate self-love

How to cultivate self-love

To love others we must first love ourselves - a simple statement, but one that can sometimes be so easily forgotten. Taking the time to love ourselves and care for our emotional needs is critical, setting the foundation on which we can grow and flourish. But just how do we achieve this? Here are some of my top tips:

Self-care

We cannot pour from an empty cup, so it is vital we take care of ourselves before we take care of others. Our energy reserves are all too easily depleted so we must put great importance on caring for our emotional and physical health. Taking a long bath, putting on a nourishing face mask, reading a book or having a nap may seem like such simple acts, but done regularly they help to maintain our equilibrium. Time invested in ourselves is time well-spent indeed.

Positive self-talk

Our inner voice is so powerful - it is the narration of our life. By choosing to talk to ourselves positively we are choosing to frame our life in a beautiful way. We are giving ourselves the gift of optimism. It is important to be kind to ourselves and speak to ourselves as we would a friend. All too often we come down on ourselves harshly, ruminating on things that we could have done better. Although self-reflection is a worthwhile act that helps us to learn and grow, too much introspection can be damaging. Ruminate, learn, move forward. Forgive yourself.

Know your worth

You are amazing. Honestly, you really are. You are unique – there is no one like you and that is brilliant. You are worthy of love and happiness. Recognise this fact and allow it to settle into your consciousness. Live your life deliberately, knowing you deserve all of the wonderful things the world has to offer.

Comparison is the thief of joy

Comparing ourselves to others is one of the biggest acts of self-sabotage. In these days of social media it is all too easy to scroll through someone’s social media feed looking at all their adventures or their flawless appearance and feel an intense stab of envy. But you must remember that this is their highlight reel, and you cannot compare your everyday to it. By all means share the beautiful moments in your life and celebrate those that others choose to share with you. However, be mindful that we cannot ever compare our journey to that of others. Wouldn’t it be dull if we were all the same anyway?

Don’t be afraid of having boundaries

No – two letters, one powerful word. And guess what? You can say it. Define your boundaries and stick to them. By doing this you are protecting yourself from things that deplete your energy reserves and affect your mental health in a negative way. Being firm but fair will gain the respect of those around you.

Be thankful

It is imperative that we take time out to be grateful. Life is never perfect – there is always something we are striving for. Considering all the things we have to be grateful for brings forth a sense of inner peace and calm. Those who believe in manifestation will attest that in order to manifest the things you desire, you must first be thankful for everything you have. Gratitude journals are a delightful way to do this. Just 5 minutes each morning to note down a few things you truly appreciate will start your day on a positive note.

Self-love takes practice and I hope this list prompts you to think about the ways in which you can weave this into your life.