10 self-care strategies for self-love and growth

Self-care is something I've learnt as an adult, but wish I had an understanding of when I was younger. And before we begin with some great self-care ideas, it's key to firstly understand the importance of self-care.

What is self-care and why is it important?

Self-care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health and well-being. It involves activities and practices that individuals can engage in on a regular basis and touches physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. These practices should promote self-nurturing, self-compassion, stress reduction and enhance overall quality of life. Ignoring these needs can lead to health problems like heart disease, stress related disorders, mood related disorders, low morale and burnout.

What key benefits can we get through self-care?

You may find that further to the standard relax and reboot, you may see other benefits such as:

• Boosts our self-esteem and self-confidence

• Improves productivity

• Improves mental state

• Helps manage stress and burnout

• Help identify and address physical and emotional health issues before they become serious problems.

When we take care of ourselves, we show up at our best for both ourselves and the people around us. Hence, incorporating self-care into our daily routine is not a luxury, but a necessity.

So what are some strategies I can incorporate?

It’s important to note that self-care means something different to everyone and thus you need to find what healthy practices serve you best to help you rest, re-charge and take care of yourself.

To start, here are 10 self-care strategies to kick start your self-growth journey:

1. Regular Physical Exercise: This can involve anything from a quick morning walk to a full workout routine at the gym. It helps not only with physical health but also improves mental well-being by reducing anxiety and improving mood.

2. Balanced Diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains can provide the necessary nutrients for your body and mind. Remember to stay hydrated too!

3. Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Good sleep is crucial for physical health and mental sharpness.

4. Mindfulness or Meditation: These practices can help reduce stress, increase concentration, and improve mental health. There are plenty of guided meditation apps and websites that can help you get started - my favourite is Insight Timer.

5. Spending Time in Nature: Even a simple walk in a park can do wonders for your mood and overall well-being. I personally find it nice to change up the scenery from the hustle and bustle and find peace and space in nature.

6. Digital Detox: With the constant barrage of information from our digital devices, it's important to take breaks and disconnect from technology periodically. This can help reduce stress, improve focus and create space for things, people and practices that we enjoy.

7. Pursuing Hobbies: Whether it's painting, reading, cooking, gardening, or playing a musical instrument, spending time on activities that you enjoy can greatly contribute to your happiness and reduce stress.

8. Socialising: Spending quality time with friends and family, or engaging in social activities can boost your mood and build a supportive network.

9. Self-Reflection: Setting aside time for self-reflection, such as journaling or quiet contemplation, can promote self-awareness and mental clarity.

10. Professional Self-Care: This may involve setting boundaries at work, seeking professional development opportunities, or even seeking help from a mentor or therapist.

    
    

And here are my personal top 3, to get a bit more specific:

1. Read and tea: I love ‘me-time’ and like to create that time to read a book. I pop on a face mask, make a soothing cup of tea and go to my favourite nook to spend time with myself and my imagination.

2. Bathtime and chill: I have quite the bath setup, with a handy rack that holds a few handfuls of my favourite snacks, a wine glass, and my phone or ipad. I put some lavender bath salts and an organic fizzy to sooth my muscles, and just sink into relaxation.

3. Yoga-nidra or sleep-meditation: I find it hard to shut-off at the end of a work day, so I like to put on some yoga-nidra or guided sleep-mediation to slow my mind and body. I use Insight Timer, but YouTube and Spotify both have great practices to choose from too.

Remember, self-care is a personal journey, and different practices work for different individuals. It's all about finding what works best for you and making it a part of your daily or weekly routine. What are your favourite self-care practices or activities?