Self-care is often overlooked, especially when we are busy. However, it plays a vital role in maintaining our motivation and overall well-being. You can’t drink from an empty cup after all!
But, self care isn’t all about massages and candles, we define it as taking an active role in preserving and enhancing your own well-being, health, and happiness. asking care of yourself is not selfish but essential for long-term motivation and success.
With more and more people suffering burn out, learning the art of self care has never been more important. Self-care keep us on track, motivated and at the top of our game. It is essential for maintaining good physical, mental, and emotional health. By prioritizing self-care activities, you can reduce stress, improve your mood, and enhance your overall well-being. This allows you to recharge and replenish your energy, enabling you to tackle challenges with a fresh perspective and renewed motivation.
Engaging in self-care practices can also help build resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change. Taking care of your physical and emotional needs, helps you to tolerate stress and challenges, and maintain a positive outlook even in difficult times.
By taking care of your own needs, you can show up as your best self in your interactions with others. This can lead to improved communication, deeper connections, and more fulfilling relationships.
Here are some practical strategies to incorporate self-care into your daily routine:
1. Practice mindfulness and self-reflection
Take time each day to engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling or any activity that allows you to focus on the here and now. Mindful walking, colouring or even activities such as knitting are forms of mindfulness These activities can help you cultivate self-awareness, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm and clarity.
Some resources we love at WDS are:
Calm App
Mindful walking
Gratitude journaling prompts: https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-journal/
The Mindfullness colouring book: https://www.orellfuessli.ch/shop/home/artikeldetails/A1034509242
2. Engage in activities that bring you joy
Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. It could be reading a book, going for a walk in nature, practicing a hobby, or spending quality time with loved ones. Engaging in activities that bring you joy can boost your mood and overall well-being.
Some activities we love are:
Art classes
Hiking
Board games and puzzles
Improv classes
3. Prioritize physical health
Take care of your physical health by engaging in regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, and getting enough sleep. Physical well-being is closely linked to mental and emotional well-being, so it's important to prioritize your physical health as part of your self-care routine.
We love:
Hiking
Indoor climbing
Hot yoga
Badminton
4. Set boundaries and practice self-compassion
Learning to set boundaries and say no to activities or commitments that drain your energy or do not align with your priorities is a difficult but important practise. However, this is definitely an artform and we recommend the book Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab for a no nonense guide on this topic.
Practice self-compassion by being kind and forgiving towards yourself. Blame and shame are not emotions that encourage growth, and while it is normal and totally ok to feel them, letting them go can help us to move forward. One piece of advice often given is to “Treat yourself with the same care and understanding that you would offer to a loved one”. We love Kirsten Neff’s resources on self compassion: https://self-compassion.org/
5. Seek support and connection
Reach out to friends, family, or support groups for emotional support and connection. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can provide a sense of belonging and help you navigate challenges more effectively. Women in Digital Switzerland, for example, offers networking events and a supportive community for women in digital fields in Switzerland.
6. Comparison is the thief of joy
Comparing ourselves to others can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. In a world of social media, this is difficult to do, but it is so important for our mental health and self esteem.
When meeting new people or seeing them online, you can be inspired by their journey, just remember that everyone's journey is unique. Focusing on your own progress and growth is more important than comparing yourself to others.
Even though we are under a lot of pressure and can face some tough deadlines, when we don’t take care of ourselves, it can feel like we are running on empty and can sometimes lead to things like procrastination and difficulty staying on task. Self care helps us mitigate stress and show up as our best selves.
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