I am very happy to hand this weeks post to Bec Down, she will introduce herself below, and you can find further details of her Holistic Therapy services at the end of the post. Enjoy!
Why self-care isn’t just important, but a necessity!
Having completely neglected my own self-care routine over the last couple of weeks, I feel a bit of a fraud singing about how necessary it is for our lives, but perhaps this is exactly the example we need to be reminded how easy it is to forget something so simple.
After moving, decorating, moving some more, work, meetings, blah blah blah you get it, I realised this is the first time I’ve actually just sat to even think about my own… well, anything, let alone self-care routine!
However, now that I’m sat in one of my favourite not-so-secret spots watching the sunset and cars driving home after their own perhaps nightmare weeks, I can feel the tension melting away; my heart rate slowing, my appreciation for the breath whilst I watch the last visible sights of the Thames glittering in the dusky light.
And I realise the truth in the title of this post.
I should introduce myself:
I’m Bec, Owner and Practitioner at Balance Your Being, a holistic therapy practice that is centred around bringing balance into your life, whilst promoting ethical and sustainable living.
Coming from a corporate background in events, I gave a not so polite middle finger to the conformist lifestyle around 18 months ago after feeling I could do so much more than just write content and create spreadsheets (if you’ve worked in either events or marketing you’ll know it was much more than this, but you catch the drift!).
Long story short, I re-trained in my passions and now offer a variety of holistic treatments in the comfort of clients’ own homes as I recognise that many people are unable to get out of their homes or may want that lovely cloud nine feeling to resonate in their space.
Nothing worse than leaving a spa to come back to reality.
I digress.
Over the course of the last couple of years, empowered women have been speaking up on their values and needs, some of which include the need for self-care to help break up the mundane routine or simply to reset.
Social media cites self-care as shopping trips, hair appointments, facials… but it doesn’t have to be as big as that.
I actually think promoting such things can lead to people feeling more down that they are not able to fulfil such lavish self-care rituals, so I want to dispel the myths and help you create a personable self-care routine.
Let’s start with the definition.
A quick google tells me that self-care means the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.
And in more detail; the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.
For me, the part in bold is the most important thing.
It’s great to be able to splurge and enjoy making yourself feel good through nice things, but that old cliché is right the best things in life are free.
And in order to have an active role in protecting your own well-being, you need to be active in doing the things that are free as part of your self-care routine.
74% of the UK report feeling ‘overwhelmed or unable to cope’* and often when we are extremely stressed it is hard to remember the simple things that make us feel grounded, safe and connected.
So, I’m going to break down some super simple and FREE things you can do to help combat stress, whilst providing a manageable self-care routine that isn’t unrealistic or time-consuming.
- Breathe – Try and grab 2 minutes every day to check in with the breath (do it on the loo if you need to), close your eyes and feel your chest rise and fall. Allow thoughts and feelings to come, but keep your focus.
If you’re really stretched for time, 3 breaths in through the nose and deep exhales from the pit of your belly out through the mouth will help shift stagnant air.
- Move – The body needs variety in every way and if you’re sat for most of the day the body and mind can feel sluggish, so it’s really important to wake it up.
Take yourself for a walk, book onto an exercise class, practice desk yoga
- Get out in nature – Grounding ourselves in nature is a great way to calm down and feel part of something bigger than our emotions.
For me, I love walking by the water and listening to its flow or feeling the sand beneath my feet, however, I appreciate everyone isn’t a beach bum.
Try getting out in the garden, taking yourself to the park, going on a long walk with the dog
- Feed the soul – This could be literally eating and feeling that warm fuzzy feeling or something else that makes you just feel so happy.
Run a bath, listen to music, go and see your Nana.
- Disconnect – And most importantly, disconnect. Turn off your phone, close your laptop, unplug the tv.
Ever think about how different life was before everything became digital and so easily accessible?
By disconnecting from the world and connecting in with yourself, you’re not allowing your energy to be so easily drained and fed to others and I promise it will make a huge difference.
Remember that your self-care routine is about you and if it’s not filling you with joy or you’re adjusting it to please others, then it’s not yours.
The only person who can be forever present in your ‘active role in protecting one’s wellbeing’ is ‘one’ ie you.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to enjoy the rest of the sunset and beautiful sea salt air.
B x
Bec is extremely passionate about her work and the tools she uses to help people (and animals) re-connect and re-balance themselves to their best being through Reiki, Crystal, and Meditative Healing.
I have used her Crystal Healing in the past and thoroughly recommend her treatments. She is very kind and compassionate, a great listener!
You can connect with Bec through her website link above or through Facebook.
Don’t Forget…..
If you would like to chat with me about your unique menopause transition, book a Wild Well-Being call and come away inspired and motivated to begin your journey to optimal health.