Self-care is central to growth. You can only begin to feel a sense of calm and development when you give your mind and body what it needs to feel like your best self. That is why it is essential to practice self-care. It cannot be ignored, it can’t be treated as secondary, it is a cornerstone of wellbeing.
What is self-care
There is a common misconception regarding self-care that it is inherently related to beauty, skincare and pampering yourself. Whilst these might be elements a person incorporates into their self-care routines, it is not the be all and end all of the definition. Self-care in short simply refers to the practice of promoting and practicing different activities and methods of boosting your mental, emotional, physical and social wellbeing.
This can sometimes be confused with doing things you are comfortable with and that are easy, such as indulging in your favourite snacks or drinking alcohol to relieve pressure and stress. Whilst this is typically fine in moderation, self-care is more about making conscious efforts to alter your lifestyle and take care of your mind and body’s needs in a healthy way. It might involve maintaining a healthy, nutritious and well-balanced diet, regularly exercising, practicing mindfulness, socialising with those closest to you or engaging in a hobby or passion that is stimulating and brings you joy. Self-care can be different for everyone. It needs to be curated to an individual’s unique wants and needs.
Whilst it may require active engagement and participation, the concept of self-care can also refer to taking a break from a busy lifestyle to ease stress and relieve pressure, giving yourself time to clear your mind.
5 self-care ideas on a budget
As has been stated, self-care can be different for everyone. Some people like to practice more lavish forms of self-care such as regularly travelling abroad, or a practice that requires specific equipment that might be too costly to some, such as practicing an instrument, a specific exercise, going to different restaurants, etc. If you are only beginning your journey of self-care and searching for some techniques that can be practiced on a budget, we have five ideas here to help you begin.
Journal
One of the simpler but stimulating methods of self-care for the sake of mental wellbeing can be journalling. Whilst it can be quite eccentric with various methods of designing and customising the ways you journal therefore appearing expensive, all that is really needed is a pen and paper or even just a mobile phone. The basic concept of collating the day's events or your thoughts that you’ve had throughout a day can be therapeutic. The act of journalling for mental health works as a stress reliever as you air out any negative thoughts or frustrations in a healthy manner.
Regular walks or runs
Regular exercise is essential for self-care. It boosts energy, improves physical wellbeing and in turn, mental wellbeing. The barrier many people see when considering practicing regular exercise is the cost of a monthly gym subscription, paying for specialist classes, getting the correct equipment to practice at home or individually. Whilst there may be a cost involved with some exercises, such as buying weights or having access to professional facilities, running or simply going for regular walks is free. If you are engaging in running casually, you don’t necessarily need high-end equipment. Daily runs or walks for even just fifteen minutes can help clear your mind and also release endorphins to boost your mood. It’s simple and can easily add to the 150-minutes of exercise a week the NHS recommends.
Meal prep
Sometimes, after a long day, you just don’t have the energy or effort to go through the process of preparing healthy ingredients for a nutritious meal. You just want something there and then, and you want it to be easy. This is where the temptation of ready meals, frozen foods and takeaways come into play. While there is no shame or issue with enjoying this in moderation from time to time, if it becomes a habit, it can keep you from maintaining a well-balanced diet. This is why meal prepping can be a good way to curb any unhealthy habits whilst also ensuring you are able to keep a healthy budget. Having healthy, nutritious meals and snacks at the ready can keep you from temptation and overshooting your budget.
Meeting with friends and family
Mental wellbeing requires more care and precision than simply engaging in personal pursuits and focuses. It requires social wellbeing and stimulation. Humans are inherently social; they need to interact to avoid loneliness. Without this level of interaction, they will begin to feel isolated and stressed, possibly leading to anxiety and depression. Time with those closest to you, that you feel comfortable and secure with can help clear your mind, boost your mood and alleviate negative thoughts you may be having. It also might give you the opportunity to talk through any issues you are currently going through with someone you trust, either to simply air concerns or to seek advice and a possible solution.
Meditate
Meditation may seem like it is a bit out of your comfort zone at first if you have never tried it. It might seem a too ‘new wave’ or far-fetched that it can have any tangible health benefits beyond a placebo effect. This is not the case however as studies have shown that meditation can have a tangible impact that benefits your health. By reducing stressors and your mind and body’s response to consistent stress, influencing the process by meditating can decrease stress, increase mood and decrease reactivity to negative stress. Alongside stress, it is also shown to help combat and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. With this considered, taking a few minutes each day to practice meditation can relieve negative stress and help you to focus on development and improvement by having a clearer, more settled mindset.
How can an Employee Assistance Programme can help
Managing your own self-care routine can be intimidating for beginners, some will be unsure of where to start. Others will be unsure what works for them. But, with support from HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), you can access all the resources you need to begin practicing proper and effective self-care.
If you need support in the form of solution-based counselling, you can speak to one of our expert counsellors using our 24/7 helpline, open 365-days a year. Or, if you are searching for the resources to help you with recipes, breathing techniques, exercise routines or articles to provide guidance on wellbeing and self-care, you can access the Wisdom App. Available exclusively through HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s EAP, it is the one stop shop for all things wellbeing and can ensure you maintain a positive wellbeing journey.
Conclusion
No one can effectively function to the best of their abilities without maintaining and practicing a regular self-care routine. Whilst it may not always seem easy on paper to ensure you are doing what is best for your mental and physical wellbeing, regularly practicing activities that improve your wellbeing will only benefit you in the long run. It is sometimes depicted that to look after yourself is selfish, but if you aren’t able to care for yourself, the chances you can care for and support others effectively is essentially nil.
