Let’s talk about self-care

You might have noticed that this month we are #talkingabouttalking.  We’re focussing our blogs and social media on the importance of having someone to talk to confidentially and without being judged.  We’ve also got some videos on YouTube for you to watch.

We really want to get you to think about your own emotional wellbeing.  That’s not something that most of us are good at! Talking to someone can have a huge positive impact but there are other forms of self-care that can help too.

In the following blog Robbie King, a counselling colleague from York, lets us into the secret of what she does for self-care. With her permission we have taken some extracts from Robbie’s blog.  You can read the whole Blog here.

Here’s what Robbie says:

“As a counsellor I meet a lot of people who are struggling with the general stresses and strains of everyday life. Something that a lot of these people have in common is that they don’t practice self-care. Many have forgotten in the midst of their unhappiness, how good it can feel to take some time for yourself and do something that you enjoy.

My self-care​
My main source of self-care is football. Football has been a part of my life since I left the womb. From growing up on a touchline watching my dad play to now having a season ticket for my team.

Football gives me that regular opportunity to practice self-care. I attend games on my own and despite being in a stadium with thousands of other fans it still gives me that sense of alone time because there are no demands on me while I am there. No one asking for yet another snack, no nagging ironing pile staring at me and no dusty shelves that need polishing!

I guess what I’m trying to show by telling you this is that self-care can be whatever you want it to be but for it to serve its purpose it needs to resonate with you and be your personal choice. For me football is self-care however, for others it may be a form of torture!!

So what are the benefits?
There are so many and the benefits. These are a few of the ones I feel are the most significant.

1. Time to breathe and create some head space. Life can be so busy that we don’t always have time to think clearly and focus on ourselves and what we want from life.
2. If your self-care is doing something on your own this can allow you to be more present when you are with others because you’re not spending that time just wishing to be alone.
3. It allows you to gain personal insights. By spending time thinking about what you enjoy or don’t enjoy for that matter, gives you the chance to learn more about yourself and what makes you tick.
4. Improved self-esteem. In order to practice self-care, especially on a regular basis you need to show self-compassion. Allowing yourself to meet your own needs can support you to value yourself more and increase your sense of self-worth.
5. Increased overall effectiveness. Self-care allows you time away from stress.  Doing this regularly means that you can be more productive in times of pressure.
6. Improved energy levels and quality of life especially in those with long term health conditions. Practicing self-care helps to rejuvenate your body giving you more energy.

If you don’t believe me the research speaks for itself….

• https://jech.bmj.com/content/61/3/254.short
• https://journals.lww.com/jcnjournal/Fulltext/2008/05000/Self_care_and_Quality_of_Life_Outcomes_in_Heart.15.aspx

Why aren’t more people doing it?

So with all these benefits why don’t we do it more?  Why do I still meet people every week that tell me they don’t practice self-care? I even meet people who don’t really know what I mean when I ask them about self-care. When I do ask the question the main reasons I hear are lack of time and guilt.

Just do it!

Consider the example of the Spanish culture of the siesta. They have a siesta because the climate is so hot in the middle of the day that working becomes so challenging and potentially dangerous to their health. I can’t imagine many people saying that it is selfish so what’s the difference when it comes to your emotional health? I personally don’t feel there is a difference, we all need a siesta from everyday life.

So whether it’s going for a walk, having a massage, treating yourself to your favourite food, reading a book, going swimming or shouting at a referee on a football pitch, what makes self-care so positive is the act of taking the time to do something for yourself. Value yourself enough to take this time and recognise that this isn’t a selfish act it is a necessary and important one.

If this is a difficult step to take then I give you permission to do so until you are comfortable enough to give it to yourself.

Phoenix Health & Wellbeing is a Charity.  By coming to us for a treatment you can relax in the knowledge that you are helping others less fortunate than yourself. We use the proceeds of your treatment to subsidise those who would not otherwise be able to access our therapies. Roughly £4 to every £10 spent with us will go to help others.

For information on our charitable work follow this link / call us on 0113 234 0181

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Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00

Sunday closed.

Phoenix Health & Wellbeing is a Charity.  By coming to us for a treatment you can relax in the knowledge that you are helping others less fortunate than yourself. We use the proceeds of your treatment to subsidise those who would not otherwise be able to access our therapies. Roughly £3 to every £10 spent with us will go to help others.