[CHAT] I look after me
When you think about what self-care actually is, it really seems like a no brainer. Really, who wouldn’t want to do things that make them a happier, more mentally balanced and less stressed out person on a regular basis?
Even though it seems like a pretty obvious choice, a lot of us (me included) can be not too great at implementing self-care on a regular basis. Instead we might choose to do things that are easier or take less mental energy, like maybe spending hours scrolling through Tumblr… Not that I would know anything about that.
There are a few reasons why we might slip up a little on practicing self-care. For many, self-care can seem like it’s optional or even a bit selfish. In a world where we’re constantly pushing ourselves to achieve more and do more to reach strict ideas of what makes a “good life” it can be difficult to feel like you’re justified in taking time out to look out for your own needs. Self-care is something that we all need to do once in a while, no ifs, ands or buts.
So what actually makes something self-care? Self-care can be a really individual thing for different people, for example for one person going for a run would be self-care but for another it might mean baking a cake. All self-care, no matter what it entails, has one thing in common. Self-care all involves taking time to look after you, whether that’s physically, emotionally or mentally.
Want to learn more about self-care and how you can make it a bigger part of your life? Great! Come and join @safari93 and @Chessca_H on Monday 20th, 8pm AEST as we chat about looking after yo’self.
Okay, so now that we all know how important self-care is:
Have you ever felt undeserving of self-care?
Have you ever felt undeserving of self-care?
Probably when I was really mentally unwell. But lets face it, that was when I needed it the most.
I felt like I was being selfish and that I didnt deserve to give myself some time out.
Have you ever felt undeserving of self-care?
24/7
Everyone else should be put before me. Well that's what I believe anyway.
@FootyFan26 mm, that seems to be a common train of thought. On the other hand though, the better 'shape' you keep yourself in, when it comes to taking care of yourself, probably the better you're capable of helping and caring for others.
Of course, even then, it's not true that everyone else should be put before you! I get that feeling so much as well.. it's a hard one to get rid of.
@j95 ahh nooo, have you been able to talk to someone about your lack of sleep?
@j95 noooo will you get to nap at least? I can't imagine not sleeping for three days!!
@FootyFan26 that's a good point, neglecting your own needs for a while is bound to take a toll on you, but taking time out to practice can help you come back from that
@j95 have you started hallucinating yet? I think for me, that was the worst part of not being able to sleep. But they stopped when my GP recommended to just lay on my bed with the lights off and do nothing. Not even think. I was awake the whole night, but man I felt refreshed in the morning.
[EDIT] But that was after we tried multiple medications that failed to work.
Stay well 🙂
@SailorE welcome, and no worries, you'll be getting the second half at least! And that's an interesting point, reminds me of that piece of advice about sleeping on your problems!
@stonepixie hehehe old brain vs new brain! And different people would need different amounts or types of self-care. The important thing is knowing how much you need and being able to get it
@j95 Oh no!! Will you be able to make up for all of that lost sleep soon?
@holoholo true!! Life gets monotonous and repetitive with work and school and whatever else, self-care can be used to switch it up a bit!!
On the other hand, what are some of the benefits that come with practicing self-care?
It helps you to recharge and it also seems to help me focus on what I need to do. If I work for a very long time I start to get scatterbrained (it's a little ridiculous) and self-care brings me down and lets me focus on something easy and relaxing for a while
@Chessca_H @holoholo Definitely, and you don't really have anything to show for it when you do practice self care. It can be hard to persuade yourself to look after yourself since you think that it isn't as 'productive', which is ridiculous because productivity is not the point of sef-care
