03/10/2023
First up in our sharing on mental health this month is Bennie! Based is Edinburgh she states that “Self-care is a holistic practice that involves prioritising and addressing your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s about recognising you needs, setting boundaries, and taking deliberate actions to reduce stress and improve your overall quality of life.
Key self care practices include prioritising sleep, healthy eating, regular exercise, practicing mindfulness, setting boundaries, engaging in hobbies, seeking social connections, and if needed seeking professional help.
Self-care is a personalised journey, and it’s important to find what works best for you and make it a consistent part of your life. It’s a proactive step towards better mental and emotional well-being.
Sometimes it is difficult to practice self-care, because we tend to abandon ourselves, and instead focus on being there for other people. One of the ways we can learn to become more self-aware is to show compassion towards ourselves by treating ourselves, kindly, and forgiving our own mistakes. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
Additionally, you can establish self-care rituals, like a morning or evening routine to create a sense of structure and stability in your life. One of the things I have found helpful is saying yes to myself, which is just as important as saying no when needed. I say yes to the activities to bring me joy and fulfilment.
Winter is around the corner when the days begin to get very short, dark, and sometimes gloomy which might increase the manifestation of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is therefore important, especially at this time for us to become more conscious of our well-being and find ways to take care of ourselves.” To get in touch checkout her site https://www.beesanpsychotherapy.com