How Do You Practice Self Care?

One person’s “Eat Pray Love” is another person’s “Dance Draw Meditate”

Self-care is more than making yourself feel good, it’s fundamental to your mental health. Self-care plays a pivotal role in maintaining everything from creativity, resilience and productivity through to motivation and wellbeing. You function best for your family and loved ones, and by extension your clients,  if you take care of yourself.

Practising self-care is also connected with income and business.  The wellbeing coaching industry is worth billions in the United States alone. The clients  you work with – be they NGOs, businesses or individuals – seek to tap into your expertise. It’s important to practice what you preach. 

Developing Self-care is a learning process

One of the many joys of studying with ICA is that you develop your self awareness and a positive mindset.  As an ICA student you became your own source of research by posing some very simple questions:

• What is important to you?
• What are your values?  
• How can you move forward in your life?  

Self-care techniques will emerged as a surprisingly important way to reach your goals.  For you, self-care may be reading, walking the dog, cooking, taking a picnic to a park, or simply making your environment comfortable.

So, this December, take some guilt-free time for yourself. Whether it’s to jog around the park, visit a gallery or market, or to curl up with a book, it’s all good for you and that’s good for your clients too.  

Here are five top tips to help you maintain your equilibrium over the holiday period:

1. Your regular self-care routine may not be possible – see this an opportunity to explore new ways of looking after yourself.

2. Take heed of the wisdom imparted by flight attendants – “put your own oxygen mask on first, by caring for yourself before you assist others”.  

3. Remember that your clients may also be experiencing seasonal challenges which may place more demands on you.  Now is a perfect time to reflect on the learning materials that have supported you over the last year.

4. Acknowledge what you have achieved.  As an ICA student you have been taking classes, meeting new people and setting yourself challenges and goals along the way.  Celebrate your own successes. 

5. Engage and disengage with technology. It’s a great way to connect with people but a digital holiday offers a great opportunity to be more focused and present.

Visit our Facebook Page and share how you plan to practice Self Care.  Join the Conversation