You’ve ended up here after searching for some information and inspiration on self-care. So what better time to do an inventory on what the self-care priorities should be in your life?
I’m going to help you do just that by breaking your self-care priorities down into 3 areas:
- Mental,
- Physical and
- Spiritual.
Take as much time as you need over the coming days, weeks and months to work through each component. It will be worth it!
Physical Needs
A few years ago, I focused on my physical needs after a year of working 3 jobs, running a business, and dealing with life.
Things weren’t good.
In my battle to ‘get through’, I’d abandoned any semblance of self-care. I’d developed candida, and my acne and eczema returned with a vengeance. Panic attacks erratically broke my sleep, and I’d put on a dress size and a half in weight. I was also drinking, on average 3 glasses of wine a night.
I knew I needed to prioritise my physical self-care needs. Being time-poor, busy, and with a husband in and out of work, I had to make some changes. These included:
- Approaching my employer to work part-time from home to decrease travel time
- Seeing my GP and getting some tests and diagnosis
- Focussing on my gut microbiome (as it was shit, sometimes literally!),
- Changing my eating habits,
- Incorporating more movement into my days, and
- Cutting out coffee and alcohol.
6 months later, I dropped a dress size, my acne vanished, I broke my reliance on booze and caffeine and had more energy.
Take a minute to tune into your body.
What self-care priorities do you need to set to help you feel better?
And I’m not talking about a detox or diet! Seriously, anything related to a detox or the word DIE needs to be kicked to the curb!
No, I’m talking about having a conversation with your body and asking it what it truly needs.
What does your body need?
If it’s less alcohol and sugary treats, go with it – just don’t call it a detox! Call it ‘giving your body what it needs’, which is some love and sustenance.
If you are tired, you could need good quality sleep or a nap.
If you’re achy in your joints and muscles or feel sedentary, how does a gentle 10-minute yoga session in the comfort of your lounge room sound? You may not feel up to leaving the house, so hit YouTube for some gentle instructional videos. I love Yoga with Adriene, and have recently committed to TRUE – a 30 day Yoga Journey.
And if you are up for leaving the house, a slow walk along the beach is highly recommended. A park will do just fine if you are nowhere near a beach. This will allow you to breathe fresh air and remove those cobwebs from your brain.
Intimacy
Intimacy/sex is another physical need that often falls to the wayside for those of us in a long-term relationship. When I’m busy and stressed out, sex is the last thing on my mind. However, I make sure I kiss my man every day before I leave for work and be sure to snuggle with him on the couch every night before bed. And sex, well, as my stress levels decrease … enough said!
Mental Health Needs
Nurturing your mental health is pretty important BUT is one of the areas a lot of us don’t pay attention to until it’s too late.
Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, and 260 million suffer from anxiety disorders – many of whom live with both conditions.
And while the statistics might seem discouraging, by prioritising our mental health needs and making it a part of our day-to-day life, we can start to make some slow and steady changes.
How have you felt over the last 2 weeks?
Have you felt happy or sad? Energetic or tired? Bubbly or irritable?
What has been the overarching ‘mood’ of the last fortnight?
If you’re feeling down, fatigued and stressed, why not start the new year by talking to someone about it? This could be a trusted confidant, a stranger on a helpline, or a professional.
As part of my self-care toolkit, I see a psychologist regularly to talk about what’s happening in my life. This includes anything stressing me out, how I’m tracking with my goals, as well as discussing ways I can structure my life to complement my mental health needs.
In 2017, this made a dramatic difference after I spent the first six months of the year struggling with anxiety, panic attacks and a resurgence in my depression. Once I recognised the signs, I got myself back on a mental health plan via my GP, I was referred to an awesome psych, and together we started work on myself.
Do you need some time off to gain mental clarity?
Time off could be in the form of a ‘mental health day’ to get away from the daily grind – even if that means sitting on the couch or sleeping. You could also escape for a weekend getaway with close friends – lots of wine, deep and meaningfuls, tears, laughs and hugs.
Oh, and when was the last time you took a holiday? Just asking!
Spiritual needs
As a Highly Sensitive Person and introvert who has anxiety, I sometimes feel spiritually sucked dry – kinda like a shrivelled prune!
Acknowledging my self-care priorities is super important. Therefore I schedule regular downtime – especially after days I know are going to be busy. This includes my priorities, what I want and don’t want to do, and who I want to be around. When I’m living aligned to my values, doing what I love, surrounding myself with positive people, and living authentically, I am clear-headed, in-tune and happy.
What do you need spiritually?
Here are some things I recommend:
Listen to Podcasts. I listen to Podcasts that help me put things into perspective and remind me about nurturing my spiritual self. I love podcasts by Tara Brach, which are a mix of down-to-earth talks and guided meditations. Tara has a soft, soothing voice, and I find her very easy to listen to.
Nurture Mindfulness. To nurture mindfulness, I scatter post-it notes around the house to prompt me to focus. For example, ‘wash the dishes to wash the dishes’ rather than ‘wash the dishes to analyse the day and plan world domination. As a side note, they are also good for my hubby … once he realises what they are for. You can also set some reminders or set time aside in your schedule to meditate and be mindful.
Be grateful. Keeping a gratitude journal is incredibly nurturing for your spirit and is something I have focussed on over the last few years. Expressing gratitude has helped me identify my self-care priorities, change my thinking from ‘glass half empty’ to ‘glass is half full’ and helped me tune in to the small things in life and the positive.
Here’s one of my earlier gratitude lists.
And lastly, thank you for reading.
