5 Top Tips on How to Care for Yourself
How do you feel today? Are you busy working, parenting, doing jobs for friends and family members, chasing appointments, deliveries, caring for pets, cleaning the house, tidying the garden… the list goes on.
When did you last do something just for you? I don’t mean going to bed early. I mean proper self-care. If we don’t care for ourselves, we cannot care for other people. I learned that the hard way and I knew I was on a self-destruct pathway a good few years ago. I got myself stuck in a rut that I never intended to fall into, and then I couldn’t get out. The answer for me was reiki self-healing therapy. It might be the answer for you, but then there might be other paths. Let’s explore your options.
1, Take a holiday. I don’t mean pack your suitcase and fly away to an exotic island, as tempting as that may be. Life is too uncertain in these times of pandemic and travel restrictions. What I mean is try and allow yourself a week, or at least a few days. Book time off work, try to arrange childcare to ease the burden, arrange to do something relaxing with a friend. Stay at home and rest. Do nothing. You will feel better.
2, Learn to listen to your body. When was the last time you looked in the mirror and properly saw yourself? Stop what you are doing now and focus on your body. Do you feel pain anywhere? Are your shoulders hunched? Do you feel heavy, achy, overwhelmed? Once we engage with our bodies, we can learn what needs to change. Take time to sit by yourself and look within. Be honest about how you feel. Write it in a journal if it helps. Record it on your phone. Make a conscious effort to look after yourself.
3, Have a good night’s sleep. Do you struggle to sleep for more than 6 hours at night? Do you wake up regularly and struggle to settle? Perhaps you would benefit from some sleeping aids. Try not to be on your devices in the hour before you plan to go to bed. Try sitting or lying in bed and play relaxing music in the background so that you can drift off gently. Remember not to eat junk food close to bedtime because it will stimulate your body so that you can’t relax.
4, Try complementary therapy to improve your physical and mental health. I mentioned reiki self-healing therapy before, and it has worked wonders for me. Since learning to practise reiki for self-healing I have now set up a business offering relaxing reiki treatments to other people. I do this because it works. It helps to relieve the effects of physical illness, it improves my mental health, and it helps to stabilise my emotions. I am a lot less angry these days! There are other complementary therapies available that work just as well. Try full body massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, meditation, or crystal therapy. There is something for everyone. Find your therapy today.
5, Drink water and eat a balanced diet. I am my own worst enemy on this front, I admit. I am a coffee drinker, and I know I need to drink more water. I am trying, and that’s the main thing. We need water to survive. We also need nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. I love junk food and I’m not about to cut it from my diet. I do try to balance what I consume, and I try to eat healthier meals wherever possible. I also try to avoid snacking too much, especially late at night which is my habit. We can learn to change our habits once we acknowledge them.
Catherine is the author of the adult paranormal romance series The Redcliffe Novels and also The Darkness of Love, She has short stories published in YA anthologies, freelance articles on various industry websites, and contributes to her personal blog, and her author blog .
You can find Catherine on Facebook and Twitter





