07:00, 17 July 2024
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Exams? Done!
Bad weather? Over with!
Good Vibes? In abundance!
For a lot of us, the summer plans are about to roll in, but one thing we shouldn't forget is: to take care of ourselves. We are halfway through Self Care Month, so we wanted to gift you with a little guide of simple things you can do to treat yo self!
This may be something that you often hear from anyone older than you, but having a good sleep schedule is such a game changer. By ensuring that you are getting adequate rest to recharge your body and mind will not only help you feel better during the day, but it will also help with brain activity.
While a lot of the tips of this list can be categorised as being self compassionate, showing yourself kindness is important to implement. This could be simply setting boundaries and prioritising your own wellbeing, to not participating in destructive behaviours.
The Canadian Mental Health Association has reported that establishing connections with others holds greater significance than we give it credit. Social bonds can diminish anxiety and depression, aid in emotional regulation, foster elevated self-esteem and empathy, and even enhance our immune system functionality.
We have to engage with all kinds of technology throughout our day so taking a break can lead to mental clarity (even researchers say that reading physical books helps with reading comprehension). This can allow you time in the day to just focus on the here and now and be aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Dedicate time to activities that bring you joy and relaxation, especially your active ones. Whether you prefer a 6pm legs, bums and tums class or a gentle walk around your neighbourhood in the morning. Getting daily exercise helps boost your self-esteem, mental wellbeing and leads to better sleep.
Eating well involves having balanced meals that can nourish your body with essential nutrients. It offers a multitude of benefits, including improved energy levels, enhanced mood and a stronger immune system which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Needing extra support is not a sign of weakness. Reaching out to a therapist, counsellor, or even someone you that will validate and listen to you will do more good. Extra guidance is often the way most people first get introduced to some of the other self help things on this list, the additional support just makes it easier.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Self Care Forum. This charity is dedicated to expanding the influence of self-care and integrating it into daily routines. Find out more.
Self Help. This is a charity based in the North of England that is user-led to give people with mental health a choice in mental health care. Find out more here.
Self Care Matters. This is an award winning charity for maternal mental health. The charity provides free self-care boxes to women experiencing severe perinatal mental illness in NHS Mother & Baby Units (MBU’s). Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
