Self-care: It's not selfish, it's essential

Written by Hayley Strawbridge - Founder of Love From You

When you hear the term self-care, you might associate it with indulging or pampering. Although it has been widely marketed as just that, it’s so much more!

I’m in my early thirties and since my teens I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression. I experienced depression in my late teens and there were times it got dark. Anxiety came later in life, in my late twenties. It started gradually until one day I woke filled with a nervous energy that’s never really left. It’s how I look after my mental health daily that affects the way I think, feel and act, so for me self-care is essential.

Now, I’m not just talking about ‘treat yo’ self’ here. Buying those shoes that you’ve had your eyes on for months, taking a holiday, or doing a face mask with you BFF are all great things, but they are just one part of it. I’m talking about really looking after your mental wellbeing by nurturing and restoring your mind, body and soul.

Right now, maybe you think you just don’t have the time, or maybe you’re afraid to put yourself first. Let me tell you, self-care isn’t always easy, but the more you practice it, the easier it will be to implement into your daily life. Sometimes it’s just taking 10 minutes to stretch or put an oil burner on with your favourite essential oil.

It’s important that we look after ourselves first otherwise it’s harder to look after the ones we love. Maybe you’ve heard the old cliché ‘you wouldn’t let your mobile phone battery drain so don’t let it happen to you either’. It’s the same with self-care – it’s not selfish, it’s essential and you’re the only person who can do this for you.