Lifestyle // The importance of self care

Aberdeen Beach Front, Scotland

We all take care of our bodies by exercising and eating well (for the most part) and we take care of our looks - buy make up or get a hair cut; but do we take care of our minds and mental wellbeing? I've been through some tough times of stress and anxiety, particularly last year when work was an ever consuming part of my life. Since then I have been making a conscious decision to take care of myself first. If I can't take care of myself, how can I put attention and diligence into my work?

We live busy lives and through the increasing use of social media, we are living our lives through others more and more. I think it's important to take time out for ourselves and spend time away from technology and reset your mind. Taking 'holiday' days from work just to spend at home or doing the things you can't do during the weekend is not a wasted day. In the past I used to only use my 'holiday' days if I was going away on holiday or planning something away from Aberdeen but enough is enough and I have taken a last minute day off for myself.

How to self care:

• Have a lie in. Don't set an alarm in the morning and let yourself naturally wake up. If the time you naturally wake up is the same time you get up for work then just lie in bed and take your time getting up.
• Make appointments that you haven't got round to doing yet. Need to visit the bank to upgrade your bank account? Do it when the shops are quiet and everyone is at work.
• Go for a walk. Take a walk down your local park or watch the sunset. The photo above is when I decided last minute to go down to the beach and watch the sunset. I was by myself, I put on some relaxing music and I walked up and down the beachfront then sat on the shore and watched the sun go down.
• Start a journal and write down all the creative ideas you have brewing or just write down some thoughts or issues troubling you that you have been meaning to get off your chest.
• Clean atmosphere, clean mind. Tidy up your house/flat. Do a massive clearout and dispose/donate items you don't need any more. Sometimes the clutter you surround yourself in can also clutter up your mind.

I'm sure everyone's idea of self care is different and these are some ideas that you can fit into a day without stressing too much about not having enough time to do everything. Put yourself first and take care of your mind and it will do the rest for you.

Have you got any self care tips that you would like to share?

Vanessa

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