Six ways to practice self-care

Self-care is important for your mental wellbeing – but most of us forget to make time for it. Maybe you are too busy caring for others that you forget to look after yourself. Or, perhaps you think it's unnecessary and don't need to spend time on yourself. No matter the reason, we're here to help you realise why you should never ignore your wellbeing.

Remembering that self-care is personal for everyone is crucial – nobody knows you better than yourself. Here are some general tips to help you start your self-care journey. Why not add them to your own routine?

Leave the comforts of home for a few minutes and spend some time outdoors. Studies show that being outside is good for you and can have many positive effects. You can gain even more benefits by exercising outdoors.

Walking in nature, joining a park run, and taking a gentle bike ride in the countryside are all helpful activities.

The science behind why working out is beneficial? Exercise releases hormones known as ‘endorphins’ which make us feel good. Regular exercise improves physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

However, you don't have to break a sweat - nature is for everyone to enjoy. Some low-impact activities can include bird watching, fishing, and meditating. These can all improve your wellbeing and enjoyment of life.

It also enhances the overall quality of life. You don't have to do this daily, however, we recommend getting outside as often as you can.

What to do if you don’t have access to much green space?

Caring for and spending time outdoors holds great significance. However, in busy cities, it can be hard to find quiet places to relax. If you don’t live close to any green space, research has now shown that even looking at pictures of nature can calm the mind.

For peace in a busy place or when you can't go outside, try watching relaxing nature videos on YouTube. They can help lower your stress and improve your mental wellbeing.

Similarly to spending time outdoors, meditation is a great way to relax and destress your body. You can do this in many ways. You might explore mindfulness practices in a guided session online or meditate in the comfort of your home. Whichever you choose the main goal is to quieten your mind and connect with your body. Even if it’s just five minutes a day, it’s always good to take time for yourself.

Getting a good quality sleep each night is necessary for our brain’s proper functioning. Healthy sleep includes plenty of deep sleep and REM (Rapid eye movement), mixed with mostly light sleep. Experts say deep sleep is crucial for recovery, fighting germs, and forming memories. However, scientists are still learning about its exact purpose.

Did you know you need around 1-2 hours of deep sleep every night when you fall asleep? Without proper sleep, you may be irritable and forgetful the next day.

REM sleep is also incredibly important for your body's functioning – this is where dreams occur. Scientists still don’t fully understand the purpose of dreams. One main theory is that dreams help our brains prepare for real-life situations, even if they seem strange.

It can also connect to a person's interests, thoughts and feelings. For example, if you like animals, don't be surprised if they appear in your dreams! An active imagination helps to process emotions and develop a healthy brain.

Getting a good night’s sleep of 7-9 hours is essential for functioning properly. No matter how busy life becomes, you must always find the time to have a decent night’s sleep.

Now, we have the technology with smartwatches to fully track the stages of sleep you can know exactly how much you are getting.

Another form of self-care can be found through practising gratitude. Remembering the things we are grateful for in life, along with the people we love and care for, is important.

If you need some inspiration on ways you can practice gratitude, check out our blog which will provide you with some tips.

Gratitude is a proven way to improve your mental health. People who practice mindfulness and gratitude report fewer aches and pains. They also enjoy a better quality of life overall.

Building a new hobby helps with reducing stress and improving your mood. You can connect with like-minded people and explore new interests. Trying out a new hobby can also boost your creativity and self-esteem. Some ideas for hobbies you could start:

Learning an instrument is a fantastic way to destress, improve hand-eye coordination, memory, and creativity. Learning an instrument takes hours of practice but there are great rewards! You'll have a new skill that you can enjoy with others, and it's a fantastic emotional outlet.

Picking up a new class, sport, or even joining the gym can be a great way to connect with others whilst moving your body. Regular exercise releases endorphins. They help you feel good and can boost your mind and body.

Joining an art class is one of the best ways to improve your creativity, have fun and meet like-minded people. Find out more on how you can battle through stress with art here.

At the WEA, we offer many arts and crafts classes. You can join these classes online or in-person. They are designed to improve your wellbeing and boost your creativity. 

In today's digital world, it is harder to live without a mobile phone. However, researchers have shown that constant stimulation from the screen and bright lights harms sleep and diminishes your attention span.

Research has also proven that social media can have harmful effects on your self-esteem. We suggest setting timers to lower your use of social media and setting 'night mode' on. This mode can reduce the blue light on the screen.

Researchers discovered that spending more hours on screens each day connects to higher levels of anxiety and depression. It also links to more negative thoughts. So, taking a break from your phone can have a great impact on your physical and mental health.

Especially before going to bed, try reading a book, listening to calming music or a podcast (Click here to see some we love), rather than scrolling on your phone.

If you found this blog helpful, perhaps you might like to look at our health and wellbeing courses. We have a selection of topics running including yoga and reflexology.

Join our self-care classes today and enjoy the benefits alongside others.