If I said to you “do you practice self care?” do you shudder and think “she’s going to tell me to get a bubble bath” or do you say “hell, yes I do!”.

But self care is really important. Yes, you should put on your face mask first and you can’t pour from and empty cup etc but there is something in this.

For many years women have been fighting to prove they are as good as men (although pay numeration still hasn’t been given the memo) and women have been given the message that we can have it all – the job, the family the amazing social life (should that be what we want). Do you know the thing about having it all? The actual doing of it all is really, really tiring. I love my husband very much and we have been married for 23 years this August. But ask him about the last time he vacuumed up, put a load of washing in or cleaned the bathroom he will have to think about it. The majority of that still falls to me.

And that is why self care is so important. It is taking a break, a moment to yourself. Sometimes there is too much emphasis on being productive and squeezing the most out of every minute of every day. I was guilty of this before Covid locked us down. I had forgotten how to relax and felt guilty when I did take a moment to myself. Yes, there are times we need to be productive – our home and work lives do demand it but at what point do we let it get the better of us? And when it does, what do we do about it?

Like I said at the beginning, self care isn’t all about bubble baths but if 20 minutes peace and quiet with a good book in a lovely warm bath with lots of bubbles (and glass of wine?) brings you moment of balance then that’s great. There are other ways too. Have you thought about any of these?

·       Exercise – could be a daily walk or yoga practice or doing Couch25K. It can be as strenuous as you want,             just get that body moving.

·       Good sleep habits – regular bedtime and getting up times even at weekends, no technology in the                       bedroom

·       Good nutrition

·       Massage – yay I like this one

·       Attending healthcare appointments – looking after your own health.

·       Forgiving yourself

·       Practising gratitude – list three things or more a day you are grateful for

·       Getting out in nature (combine with exercise and do two at once)

·       Yoga – join a class and build up a new set of friendships or there are plenty of on-line options too. 

·       Journaling

·       Getting organised – reduces stress and overwhelm

·       Money management

·       Clutter free environment

·       Reading – I love a visit to the library. I have discovered so many new authors from the displays they do.

There are some on the list that I hadn’t thought about and quite a few of them are free.

We need to stop feeling guilty about taking time for ourselves. We need to allow ourselves to take a moment in the day to do something for ourselves, to relax.

 “What is this life, if full of care

We have no time to stand and stare”

‘Leisure’ by William Henry Davies

The result of taking these moments regularly could be you become happier, your work and home life might be a little bit easier as you may feel less stressed and overwhelmed. You may discover hidden talents, get creative, get excited about the little things and maybe find the you that has got buried under the everyday things called life. Heavens forbid, you may rediscover your own power and happiness – then what amazing things might happen?