Self-care week: Why is practising self-care so important for your wellbeing?

The 18-24 November is National Self-Care Week. When we’re busy and trying to juggle our home and working lives, we can feel guilty for saying no and prioritising ourselves. Practising self-care can fall to the bottom of our list when we’re trying to keep on top of everything else. It’s important to remember that self-care isn’t selfish. It’s about taking time for yourself and putting your wellbeing first. Practising self-care gives you the chance to recharge your batteries and prevent burnout. It also enables you to be the best version of yourself, which benefits both you and those around you.

What is self-care?

Self-care can look different for everyone. For some of us, it could involve going for a run or doing a workout. For others it could be taking some time out and practising mindfulness.

It could also be not doing anything at all.

We can often think that we should be doing this, or we should be doing that, but what’s most important is that you’re not actually putting pressure on yourself to do anything. We can actually feel worse if we set unrealistic expectations that we don’t end up meeting.

It defeats the purpose of self-care if it makes us feel stressed or becomes anxiety-provoking. True self-care involves listening to your own needs and doing what works for you, in a way that’s both manageable and enjoyable.

How can I practise self-care to improve my wellbeing?

If you are looking for some ideas of how you can improve your wellbeing through self-care, TALKWORKS can help. These are just suggestions - it’s up to you if you choose to follow them:

Motivational Monday – today is about starting the week positively, but without putting pressure on yourself. Think about three small things you’d like to achieve this week and write them down. Make sure they are manageable and realistic. Then take some time and reflect on what you can do to achieve them.

Tidy up Tuesday – Decluttering can feel overwhelming, but in small doses it can also make you feel happier. Start by focusing on one area that you’d like to tidy in your house. It could be a whole room, or it could just be a drawer. Do what feels manageable for you.

Walking Wednesday – Exercise is a great way to boost your wellbeing and it doesn’t have to be intense. Walking for just ten minutes at a time can help refresh your mind and feel less stressed. This could be outside in the park, or inside on a treadmill while listening to your favourite songs.

Thoughtful Thursday – Take some time out today and reflect. What are you thankful for? What makes you happy? What do you enjoy? When we start reflecting on the things that we appreciate it can help us feel happier and improve our mood.

Fresh air Friday – Getting outside is great for your wellbeing. Set off on a stroll with a close friend or family member, or head out by yourself and enjoy the outdoors. If you don’t fancy a walk then make use of your garden or a nearby park. Even if it’s just for a short period of time, spending time outside every day can help to improve our concentration and reduce anxiety.

About TALKWORKS

TALKWORKS is an NHS Talking Therapies service, here to improve your mental and physical wellbeing. We are an inclusive service and are open to adults, age 18+, living in Devon (excluding Plymouth which is covered by Plymouth Options). All of our treatment and support is delivered by NHS clinicians, and is free-to-access. Our therapists can work with you to create manageable goals to help improve your wellbeing so that you can feel both healthier and happier in yourself.

If you would like to book an appointment with a TALKWORKS therapist, you can refer yourself for support by completing our online self-referral form or by calling the team on 0300 555 3344 (our phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am – 4:45pm).