I recently ran a 7-Day Self-Care Challenge for my followers on Facebook and Instagram. I wanted to take some to recap the challenge for those who might have missed it and for those who participated but want a refresher!

Before we dive in, let’s talk a bit about what self-care is, and also what it isn’t.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care seems to be a buzz word these days, and for good reason! Self-care involves any activity that we intentionally do in order to take care of our emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

In theory, it’s a common-sense concept, but in reality, it can often be overlooked. We all have busy and hectic lives - it’s easy to forget to look after ourselves sometimes. We can get stuck in thinking our time and energy is best spent on work or looking after others.

And while it can be hard to prioritize taking care of ourselves, it’s essential to being able to function in our day to day lives.

The better we take care of ourselves, the better able we are to tackle of all of our responsibilities. Self-care prevents burnout and reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It also helps to increase productivity, positive feelings, and self-compassion, and it helps us to refocus. It can even help to improve our relationships. It's all about showing yourself love and appreciation in your daily routine.

Think about it – if we’re worn out, stressed, and run down because we’re constantly on the go, we’re probably not going to be as effective as we want to be in carrying out our responsibilities and interacting with the people around us.

What Self-Care Isn’t

Knowing what self-care is not is just as important as knowing what it is, if not more. Self-care isn’t something that we force ourselves to do, or something we don’t enjoy doing. Self-care is something that refuels and resets us, rather than something that depletes us.

Self-care isn’t selfish, either. It is not only about considering our needs – if we take of ourselves, we’ll be in a much better place to give to our loved ones and meet their needs.

Self-care doesn’t have to be lavish or extravagant, either. Even small things can have a big effect on our well-being! Although a daily massage would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Challenge Recap

There are many different ways to practice self-care. In my challenge, I suggested 7 different things you can do to take good care of yourself. Keep in mind, though, that it’s important to find what works for you. If one of these suggestions doesn’t really make sense for you, that’s okay! You can make it yours and do something that better helps to refuel you. Don’t be afraid to listen to your needs.

The goal of the challenge was to make your well-being a priority by committing to one act of wellness each day for a week.

Day 1: Unplug

We’re constantly surrounded by technology. We could all do with taking a much-needed break and allowing ourselves to detach for the evening. As soon as you get home from work, turn off your phone, computer, and any other electronics you have.

Take this time to be in the moment, completely unconnected from the world of technology. You can read a book, get outside, hang out with friends or family - whatever it is, commit to being present… and enjoy!

Day 2: Make a Healthy Meal

Nothing beats a hearty, healthy home cooked meal. The way we take care of ourselves physically plays a huge role in how we feel mentally. A healthy meal nourishes both body and mind.

Stick to an old favourite or check out a new recipe online! During the challenge, I made a fresh kale salad with lots of healthy fats and proteins. What will you make?

Day 3: Meditate

The goal for Day 3 was to spend 5 minutes (or more) meditating.

There are countless benefits of meditating, like decreased stress, improved mood, and improved cognitive functioning, to name a few!

And there are countless ways to do it! You can follow along to a guided meditation using an app like Headspace or Calm. You can also engage in your own self-guided meditation – this is a great how-to link: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/. Or, you can simply find a quiet space and focus on your breathing.

Meditation is an opportunity to switch off autopilot, slow things down, and get in some quality “me time”.

And remember, you don’t have to be a pro to be able to meditate (I’m certainly not, but I’m working at it!)! Anyone can do it.

If your mind wanders during your practice, that’s okay! The mind is good at wandering. It will happen and it’s not a bad thing. As soon as you notice it, connect with your breath and use it to anchor you to the present moment. In other words, be kind to your wandering mind.

Day 4: Declutter

Day 4 was all about d e c l u t t e r i n g.

Decluttering is a powerful way to practice self-care. This is because our physical environments can have a huge impact on the way we feel. When we’re surrounded by chaos, we’re more likely to feel unnecessarily stressed.

So, by decluttering your space, you’re also helping to declutter your mind. A decluttered space creates a sense of balance, calm, and control. You can pick a room in your home or your workspace (or both!). Clear off those surfaces, put away as many stray items as you can, and help create some calm.

Day 5: Express Gratitude

On Day 5, we were talking gratitude. Gratitude is a very effective way to combat depression and anxiety. It can help to put things into perspective and can help give you a serious mood boost.

Studies have shown that people who express gratitude sleep better, show fewer signs of depression, are more patient, and feel happier overall!

Day 5’s challenge was to write down 3 things that you’re grateful for and post it somewhere where you can see.

We have a tendency to focus on the negative – taking some time to remind yourself of the good stuff can work wonders.

Day 6: Get moving!

Self-care is all about making positive changes, having more energy, and taking good care of ourselves. And of course, as we all know, exercise is a key component of that!

Exercise has major benefits for our physical health and also our mental health - hello, endorphins!! Today’s challenge is to get your body moving. Pick an activity you love - walking, running, cycling, yoga, weights - and get your sweat on.

Day 7: 3 Positive Qualities

This act of self-care might be the toughest of all the ones presented in this challenge, because we often focus on what we don’t like about ourselves, rather than what we do like. Take some time to write down 3 qualities you like about yourself.

Although it might be hard, if you’re not used to focusing on the positives, the more time you spend thinking about the things you do like, your brain automatically starts to become less self-critical and more self-accepting!

Just like with your gratitude practice, put the list somewhere you can see daily as a reminder.

And there you have it! Seven full days of incredible ways to take care of yourself. My challenge to all of you is to keep the self-care going and see if you can make it a part of your day, every day!

Remember, self-care doesn’t need to be complicated or extravagant. It’s all about investing in your physical, emotional, and mental health in small but meaningful ways.

Check back soon for more mental health tips and strategies!

__________________________________________________________________________________

If you find yourself feeling stuck, find yourself worrying all the time, feel disengaged and disconnected from the world around you, or feel like something is missing in your life, I am here to help you.

I offer a complimentary 15-minute telephone or in-person consultation.

Please feel free to contact me or email the clinic at admin@drdarou.com to set up a time that works best for you. Alternatively, if you are feeling ready to dive in and get started, you can book your first appointment with me at Darou Wellness (click here).

What you can expect in our work together:

• Confidential, non-judgmental, and compassionate care

• Comprehensive assessment of your needs, goals and strengths

• Collaborative treatment planning rooted in evidence-based models

• Skill-building and development of effective coping strategies

• Home practice on a weekly basis to make sure you feel confident in applying the skills you are learning

I very much look forward to working alongside you on your journey toward wellness!