If you know me then you know I love doing lots of things and taking part in many activities. However to be honest, sometimes I take on way too many things than I can handle. Just yesterday, one of my mentors told me that self-care is important and sometimes young people get it misunderstood and it’s so true. As young people, we fill our schedules with so many tasks that we do not have time to look after ourselves.
I am not an expert in Mental Health but what I can say is that self-care is important. Often times, we neglect ourselves because we have so many other commitments but those commitments can’t be fulfilled if something happens to us so it’s important to note that we come first. So what are some ways that you can implement self-care into your hectic schedule?
Saying No: Just this week I was faced with the arduous task of turning down activities. It’s so hard to say No sometimes because we worry about how the other person will react and what they will think of us. However, it’s important to realize when you have too much on your plate. Yes, being busy is good but if it gets in the way of things that are of top priority (for me that would be my grades, I’m in final year now so pray for your girl!) then you need to cut it out. If we take on too many things that we can’t handle we’re bound to reach our breaking point. Learn to say No without feeling guilty (I’m definitely talking to myself with this).
R & R: We all need a little Rest and Relaxation. Do something that you truly like and that will bring you joy. Sometimes all you want to do is eat a big bag of chips/crisps (my favorite snack) and cuddle under your blanket and watch Netflix and that’s okay (great advice from my Academic Advisor). If you’re like me you love your weekly fix of television series. Use this as your R & R time to just chill. However it’s important to watch the amount of time you spend in R & R but every now and again a little R & R is good. If you’re really busy it may be a good idea to schedule this when planning your week. After all, we all need the right work/play balance.
Getting rid of toxic people: I read something the other day that said self-care is not just about treating yourself but also getting rid of negativity. It’s important to get rid of people who do not positively impact your life. I’m not saying just cut them off and give them the cold shoulder but limit the time you spend with them because sometimes you feed off of people’s energy. Positive vibes only so be careful of the company you keep.
These are just a few tips for how you can look after yourself.
What are some things you do for self-care? Let me know in the comments!
Schar's Mind 