Self Development

Self care is the practice of intentionally taking care of your needs, including physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. It includes many things that you might not have even considered “self care”, such as getting enough sleep (and having good quality sleep), eating a balanced and nutritious diet, incorporating more movement or exercise into your day, practicing mindfulness, setting boundaries in relationships or at work, or even learning the “art” of saying no. 

When you prioritise self care it provides opportunities to refocus your energy on activities that spark joy, give something back to you, and allow you to have the energy to focus on activities that align with your goals, values and needs.

As many of us do, you might have gotten stuck in the habit of prioritising others needs above your own. Self care and self-improvement can take many forms, which can make it difficult to recognise what your own needs even are, or putting the right steps in place to get those needs met and re-establish balance and boundaries.

Physical self care - Getting enough sleep, and ensuring it's good quality sleep; eating a well balanced and nutritious diet; moving your body and exercising; practicing good hygiene; regularly attending medical appointments or screenings (including dentist, optometrist etc).

Social or relationship self care - Connecting with loved ones; joining group outings or social activities; starting a hobby or joining a club; volunteering. It can also look like having boundaries or limits within your relationships; feeling safe to express and/or receive affection from loved ones; and practicing communication and conflict resolution skills.

Emotional self care - Being able to say no, or take tasks off your plate (rather than adding more things in); seeking support from loved ones, or even a therapist/psychologist; finding time to engage in activities for yourself, especially those that boost your mood or help you relax; journalling to self reflect and explore your thoughts and feelings; practicing affirmations, gratitude or mindfulness; deep breathing exercises.

Cognitive self care - Read books or articles; do brain teasers, crosswords or sudoku; be creative – painting, drawing, sculpting; learn something new – take a course, watch an instructional video, attend a workshop.

Spiritual self care - Reflect on your values; pray; meditate or spend time on other spiritual practices; reflect on things you are grateful for.

Professional self care - Set and maintain work life boundaries; switch your work emails/calls off when not working; take lunch breaks; take regular breaks to stretch, move your body or get into the fresh air; book your holiday leave; acknowledge your achievements; find a mentor who can support you with your current role, or to take the next step in your career.

Environmental self care - Tidy your sleeping space; declutter your home; organise cupboards/drawers; make a cozy or comfortable nook or area for calm/relaxation time; surround yourself with calming or relaxing objects and decor; get into nature – go for a walk, hike, or do some forest bathing.

If you are failing to look after yourself, being stretched too thin, or constantly putting others needs before your own, then there is a chance you will be experiencing stress, burnout, emotional overwhelm, frustration, changes to eating or sleeping habits, or even developing unhealthy coping strategies. 

Taking care of yourself is essential to your wellbeing and personal development. When you take care of yourself, you help to cultivate a positive mindset and develop healthy and adaptive coping strategies, which can help improve your resilience, self-esteem, overall mood, and reduce your stress, anxiety, and risk of chronic heath conditions.