Caring for yourself means being able to understand and fulfil our needs that build our self-esteem and emotional independence. Constantly putting the needs of others ahead of your own or seeking external praise almost always leads to a build-up of stress, anxiety, frustration, and regret. How can you avoid this? It is enough to learn to be good to yourself and to surround yourself with love and care. How can you do it?
Sleep is essential
Most of us know that sleep is one of the most important elements of our functioning, and the statistics are unambiguous. If we do not care about sleep hygiene, don’t pay due attention to rest, as a result, we suffer from depression, anxiety or chronic stress more frequently. If you want to take care of yourself, you need to give your body strength and motivation to act, which also come from effective sleep. How about a small remodelling in the bedroom and introducing the principles of “zero electronic devices”? If you have sleep problems, it is worth getting a therapeutic weighted blanket that will support your nervous system, and have a soothing, calming effect. It really works!
Say “YES” to yourself
… And learn to say “NO” to others. Assertiveness is an extremely important skill, although it is not easy to learn. We often feel uncomfortable refusing and as a result, we devote our time and energy to fulfilling other people’s requests and demands, then no longer having the strength to take care of our own needs. Of course, there is nothing wrong with helping our loved ones, but only when we can and want to. Otherwise, frustration, fatigue, and hurt will begin to build up in us, and that never ends well. So sometimes say “no” to others and do something for yourself that you have been putting off for a long time. Setting boundaries will make you stronger, and the time you spend on yourself will result in mental balance.
The power of the break
When we think about time for ourselves, we imagine a holiday, a free weekend with friends, treatments at the spa, watching a favourite TV series or going to a restaurant. While these events do have a positive effect on our well-being, it is worth noting that the effect of their action is temporary. If our life is messy, we work under stress, we are late everywhere or we are still in a hurry, even a week of holiday in a five-star hotel will be useless. In order to benefit from greater pleasure, we must organize our everyday life and take care of its details. Plan tasks to be performed, tick off completed stages, write down, note down and arrange them – taking into account breaks and time only for yourself in this process. Not just occasionally, but every day.
Choose quality
We would like quality in the context of self-care to mean not only what you surround yourself with, but also the relationships you create and maintain. Have you noticed how you feel when you buy something made of solid wood for your home, invest in better-quality finishing materials or just buy decent shoes or a coat? Not only is your joy greater, but also these things please the eye for years. It is similar with interpersonal relationships. According to Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist and head of adult development research, our happiness and satisfaction with life can be identified precisely by the quality of our relationships with others. For your own sake, stop surrounding yourself with people who drain your energy, share only negative experiences, or make you feel unwell after meeting them. Surround yourself with people who inspire, love and make you smile, and eventually, your everyday life will take on new colours and new quality.
