Warning: Put on your oxygen mask now!
Self-care isn’t selfish, it's an essential prescription for physical and mental health
We’ve all heard the old adage haven’t we, “please put on your own oxygen mask first, before helping others”. It sounds blindingly obvious why when you listen to the cabin crew safety briefing.
Self-care always seems to fall to the bottom of the pile, the end of the to-do-list, the nice-to-have-after-I-complete-200-other-tasks-first category.
Somehow, we seem to have bought into the fallacy that self-care isn’t important. Or even worse, that self-care is selfish. It isn’t!!!
Hi, I’m Holly - coach, mindfulness facilitator and author of Zestful Zen. I write about self-care, change, personal growth, mindfulness, and purpose. If you like life to be full of zest and energy, complemented by a zen, calm mind, Zestful Zen is the community for you! 💖✨
Say it again with me: self-care isn’t selfish.
Self-care is standing up for yourself. You wouldn’t guilt-trip a friend who said no to yet another late evening in the office. So why do you make yourself stay?
Self-care is sensible. You wouldn’t let your car run out of fuel. You wouldn’t expect your children or pets to go days on end without proper rest. So why do you let your own tank run dry?
Self-care supports others. Back to the oxygen mask metaphor. You can’t pour from an empty jug. How are you going to help others if you’re exhausted? I’m certainly no fun to be around when I’m frazzled and hangry. I doubt you are either.
Self-care sets a standard. If you’re a leader (even if it’s not in your job-title – we can all lead in some ways), you’re also a role-model. Setting a self-care example for your colleagues may inspire them to follow in your footsteps and avoid the insidious burnout that has become so prevalent these days.
Self-care saves resources. You’ve probably also heard the saying, ‘if you don’t take a break, your body will take one for you”. If you carry on past the point of no-return and enter burnout land, it’ll cost you (and the health service) a lot more in the long run as you try to recover.
Self-care is an investment. Think of it like your education – it gives a great ROI. Or like a savings account – a small, regular investment in your self-care account pays dividends in energy, happiness and physical and mental health.
Self-care as a “national service”
Next week (18-24 November) is National Self-Care Week. It’s a UK-wide annual awareness campaign that focuses on establishing support for self-care across communities, families and generations. The theme for 2024 is “Mind & Body”.
It’s no coincidence that the organisers, Self-Care Forum, work closely with the National Health Service. The NHS recognises the negative impact poor self-care has on physical and mental health, and the additional burden placed on stretched services.
Self-care boosts public health and helps support the NHS - something almost sacrosanct to most Brits. If that doesn’t help convince you of the value of self-care I’m not sure what can! 😆
Why not try out some of these simple self-care ideas?
🌳 Spend some time in nature. Take a walk in the park, do some gardening, have a stroll on the beach or try a spot of forest bathing.
🏃♀️ Be active. Join a Park Run, pump some iron, get your heart racing with Zumba beats, or hit the hot yoga studio on a chilly evening.
👋 Connect with others. Grab a coffee with a colleague, catch-up over lunch, join a book club or pick up the phone and have a good natter with an old friend.
🍎 Eat healthy. Prioritise real, delicious food, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Treat yourself to a home delivery or a trip to the farmer’s market and turn the cooking (and eating) into a mindful sensory experience.
📚 Relax! Chill in whatever way works for you (but avoid doom-scrolling). Maybe enjoy that novel you’ve been meaning to start, or a bit of wholesome TV (Great British Bake Off anyone?)
🎨 Treat yourself. What’s something you’ve been wanting to do for a while? See an art exhibition, get a massage, try an aerial silks class.
🧶 Be creative. Do something that gets your creative juices flowing. Sketch, take photos, journal, knit, crochet, colour in a picture, arrange some flowers.
💆♀️ Find some me time. Difficult for parents, I realise. But carve some time out just for you and do whatever YOU want.
🌸 Be mindful. Meditate, walk mindfully, eat mindfully, make and drink your tea mindfully, try a mindful movement sequence. Slow down and notice the beauty all around you.
💧 Stay hydrated. Get plenty of H2O throughout the day. Have a bottle on your desk.
😴 Sleep well. Wind down early, put away your tech in the evening and establish a good sleep routine that leaves you well rested. Nap if you need to.
📵 Digital detox. Take a holiday from your devices and social media. Put on your OOO and leave the emails. Mute the news. Focus on doing things “in real life”.
Questions for self-reflection or journalling ✍️
How can you incorporate self-care into your daily routine?
What self-care practices would be easiest for you to start with?
What support do you need from others to enable your self-care?
Which self-care practices bring you joy?
How can you role model and encourage others to prioritise self-care?
What self-care practices can you do at home, at work, with others?
Now take action 🎯
Decide which self-care practices are non-negotiable going forward.
Commit to self-care as a family/with your partner/for yourself.
Share your plans with a friend and be self-care accountability buddies.
Promote self-care at work and bounce ideas around with your colleagues.
Take the first step, and enjoy it!
We’ll be cheering you on as you start taking better care of yourself 🌟
Share your perspective ✨
I’d love to hear your thoughts on self-care. What holds you back from prioritising self-care? What are your favourite self-care practices?
Let’s have a conversation in the comments or subscriber chat. Or feel free to drop me a DM. 💬
Have a sublime Saturday, friends! 🌞
Ways to connect with me 💬
DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁
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"Self-care is standing up for yourself".
This point really resonated with me. For me it's a reminder that it's ok to say no when it just doesn't feel right.
This is really good advice. We have to meet our own needs in this way so we can show up for others. I'll share this helpful piece in my round up tomorrow.