What does self care look like? Why does participating in self care so often get confused with selfishness?
Self care is a very yogic thing and is in truth the complete opposite to being selfish. To me, self care is the ultimate giver because it it simultaneously leads by example but also ensures that we have enough energy to keep going. I simply cannot always give to others without getting exhausted, run down or resentful (or mostly for me frustrated).
Why does self care lead by example?
- When I am respectful of my time – I am respectful of others time.
- When I don’t expect perfection in myself – I don’t expect it in others
- The next generation learn from watching what we do – if we show good habits- they will learn good habits.
What does self care look like?
It looks like you and does not look like me……it is unique to each individual. What each of us needs is personal. However, we can use frameworks to build our self care and tailor it to our needs.
Dr Ranjan Chatterjee’s The Four Pillar Plan is a super book and good way to start. He outlines four pillars of wellbeing: sleep; diet (which I will call nutrition); exercise and psychological well-being. Using these pillars we can map out/plan well-being on a daily to monthly basis according to our needs and lives. Obviously there is good advice and lifestyle evidence based practices that can influence in each of these areas (and the evidence is growing considerably).
Step 1: Begin by looking at your pillars and see what you are doing well and what can you maintain this Christmas period
Love you: Health and Well-being with Lorraine 