There’s Only One You - Mental Health and Self Care Tips
There’s no self-care moment that’s too big or too small, every minute we dedicate to ourselves is important. There’s only one you remember!
This week we are celebrating mental health week, and the small self-care treats we can give ourselves at different times of the day that will impact our wellbeing positively. These tips have come straight from our team, and are all the ways we try to relax, and take a moment to breathe…
1. Clear Your Head with Fresh Air
We all probably increased the amount of time we spent outside through lockdown (what else was there to do!) but it allowed us to cope and deal with isolation, and we absolutely recommend this as our number one tip to unwinding! Spending more time within nature allows us to notice it more and take in the beauty of our surroundings - casual stroll in your local park. Walking is something a lot of us take for granted. The next time you’re out, try to notice more and engage with your surroundings, the smell of the forest, the rustling of leaves, the wind in your hair.
2. Write it Down
Whether it’s keeping a journal or documenting your goals and achievements - writing can be a healing way to express your current thoughts and release the stresses from your day, as well as highlight the positives. You could even try to jot down the things you were grateful for today so you can focus on the little things that made smile. The next time you’re not feeling quite yourself, just flip through this list for a heart-warming moment. We love making a note of all the places we want to visit and explore too when the time comes for something to look forward to.
3. Embrace Mindfulness
Yoga is a form of gentle exercise and self-care that can be enjoyed by everyone of all fitness levels and abilities, even in the comfort of your own home to clear the mind. It’s a practice that goes way back over 5,000 years…there’s a reason why it’s stuck around for so long!
Meditating is also a healthy way to embrace a positive mindset. We love following mindful apps like Headspace and Calm.
4. Taking Time for Self-Care with Skincare
An act of self-care doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming; it can be as simple as taking a few minutes out of your evening routine to listen to your favourite music or caring for your skin. We completely recommend having a moment of “me time” at home. A skincare routine can provide a moment of stability too.
Look out for relaxing essential oils such as lavender and ylang ylang, like in our Seahorse Plankton+ skincare that can create a soothing aromatherapy moment. With spa-like essential oils, you can add a bit of calm to your day-to-night routine. Run the bath, light a candle, dim the lights…and prepare to unwind. We can guarantee you’ll be ready for that early night sleep!
5. Put the Kettle On
As humans, we crave connection and a feeling of being understood. Taking some time to be alone with your thoughts is important, and so is surrounding yourself with positive people - whether it’s your family, your best friends, or an old colleague that you haven’t seen in a while.
Our connections are the cornerstones of our life and it’s important to invest time in developing them to support ourselves every day. Trying to maintain a social life in this day and age can seem like a full-time job in itself, so keep it nice and easy by catching up over a steamy cuppa. Having a natter with your nearest and dearest is one the best forms of therapy in our opinion. Or perhaps you just don’t feel like being social for the day - that’s okay too! This is the perfect time to pick up that book that you’ve been meaning to.
It’s important to take some time out for yourself, but also encourage others to do the same. We are all interconnected and mental health is an integral part of creating a sustainable future - something we are hugely passionate about advocating!