10 Ways to Practice Selfcare

September is Selfcare Month!

Time to think about how we look after ourselves.

The way I think about selfcare is the same way airlines instruct passengers during pre-flight safety demonstrations.

Passengers are instructed to always put their own oxygen masks on first before helping children, the disabled, or any persons requiring assistance.

This way, you won’t pass out being the selfless hero helping those around you. 

Selfcare is the same.

It’s not selfish.

Looking after yourself means building your own internal reserves.  So that you can better help those around you. Looking after your physical and mental health.

This isn’t just about oxygen masks. 

Here are 10 ways to practice selfcare this month:

1. Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.

How do you speak to the people you love?  Is it encouraging?  Is it kind? 

Now think about your internal dialogue.  How do you speak to yourself? 

Remember, the longest relationship you have, is the one you have with yourself.  Time to stop the negative internal dialogue and speak to yourself like you would someone you love.

2. Prioritise Sleep

Sleep deprivation has been linked with high blood pressure, mood swings, weight gain, a weakened immune system, depression, paranoia, and a higher risk of stroke, diabetes, dementia and cardiovascular disease.  Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night should be a priority in your selfcare routine. This month, turn off the blue light, turn down distractions and get some sleep.

3. Get a Massage

With so much stress in our lives, don’t you deserve some relief.  This is where a massage can help.  Book yourself an hour-long massage and watch your stress become a distant memory or if you don’t have time, why not include a facial massage into your selfcare routine. 

Use the Kadee Botanicals Luxury Jade Facial Roller, to improve skin elasticity, eliminate toxins, boost circulation, promote collage production, reduce puffiness and inflammation.  Use the roller cold (store it in your fridge), after you’ve applied your Kadee Botanical skincare, and starting from the centre of your face, gently roll outward and upward.   Perfect as part of a selfcare routine this month.

4. Aim for Good Enough, rather than Perfect

Being a perfectionist used to be something to be proud of.  But it’s a life sentence. 

As Brene Brown points out, being a perfectionist isn’t about self-improvement.  It’s self-destructive. It’s linked to anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, procrastination, low self-esteem, life paralysis, depression and missed opportunities.  A perfectionist is paralysed by the fear of failure, not meeting other people’s expectations, being criticised for making mistakes. 

This is definitely something we all need to give up for the sake of our own selfcare.  As a recovering perfectionist, I know this can take some practice. Take it a day at a time this month.  Aim for good enough rather than perfect.

5. Use Food as Medicine

According to researchers from UNSW, the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne and Brazil's University of Sao Paolo, close to half of what Australians eat is highly processed and contains high amounts of sugar, fat and salt.  This diet can lead to serious health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  Recently, we heard about a teenage boy who became blind and deaf after a lifetime of fries, potato chips and white bread. 

What we eat is critical to our health!

The experts have recommended we eat 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables a day.

When I had gestational diabetes during my second pregnancy, I significantly reduced my intake of carbs and increased my consumption of fruits and vegetables.  I learnt which vegetables had the lowest GI and most nutrients.  Instead of muffins and processed treats, I got inventive with fresh fruit and vegetables in salads.  Eating more antioxidants and drinking water, rather than soft drinks, made my skin clearer, gave me more energy and feel more alert.  It also had my endocrinologist astounded at how well I'd managed my sugar levels.

Using food as medicine and eating well is an act of selfcare. 

Practice nourishing your body and eating healthy this month.

6. Stop Comparing

You know what it’s like…kids are in bed…you’re scrolling your facebook feed…you see images of people living their best life…and you start comparing.  

STOP.  

Like I tell my children, not everything on the internet is real. 

Plus, when you have the opportunity to create a digital record of your memories, you naturally post your best side, talk about an amazing experience, share a beautiful photo.  When facebook reminds you about your post a year later, it’s a great memory.  It’s not always for the followers or the viewers.

Still, know that people may be posting gorgeous images and looking like they’re living their best lives, but you don’t know what was going on behind the camera, or what they had to sacrifice for that shot.  A picture may be worth a thousand words, but they don’t always show what’s going on. 

Stop comparing.

Remember, we are all running our own race, facing our own battles, climbing our own mountains. 

Instead, think about how far YOU'VE come.  Where YOU started.  YOUR journey. 

Selfcare is about accepting we are all on our own paths and not comparing.

7. R U OK?

R U OK Day is Thursday 12 September and a good reminder that it’s OK not to be OK.  Know the signs that someone might need support by listening to what they’re saying, seeing what they’re doing or knowing what’s going on in their life. Whenever you notice a change, no matter how small, trust your gut and start an R U OK? conversation.  Many people are experts at pretending things are OK, when they’re not. 

Selfcare is talking about it. Listening. Accepting it's OK not to be OK.

8. Take time for a Facial

Book a toxin free facial and experience the wellness benefits, not just in taking better care of your skin, but immersing yourself in the scent of self care.  A facial using Kadee Botanicals Hydrating Day & Night Cream and Kadee Botanicals Eye Cream uses potent Australian plant based ingredients, feeding your skin with vitamins and antioxidants from Kakadu Plum (highest source of vitamin C), Lilly Pilly and Jojoba Oil.  Treat fine lines and hyperpigmentation while relaxing with the scent of Australian Lavender Oil and Rosalina Oil. An Australian Botanical Wellness facial found in enlightened beauty salons and day spas everywhere. Contact us to use our products in your salon.

9. Get some Uplifting Endorphins

Work out, head for a run, get your body moving and relish in those happy endorphins.   Our bodies weren’t designed to be stationary.  Summon your inner child and play a game of soccer.  Hit the dance floor and show us some moves that fortnite players can only dream of.  Dance like no one is watching and see your selfcare skyrocket.

Selfcare is full of happy endorphins.

10. Say “No” and get your time back

The most liberating word in the world and the most disappointing. 

Saying No can save you time, give you space, but it can also bring the uncomfortable feeling of knowing you’ve disappointed others.  This month, own your selfcare and get comfortable saying No.  Sometimes we need that time and space back for ourselves.

Selfcare is recognising our needs and giving ourselves time and space back.  

 

Make sure you put on your oxygen mask before you help others this month. 

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What other ways can you practice selfcare?