Did you know that September is Self-care Awareness Month? Self-care is often something that is ignored in our everyday life, as we tend to put others before our own needs. We are here to tell you that it is actually important to prioritise yourself within your daily routine, to help you maintain a healthy relationship with yourself and others. Let's look at why self-care should be added into our daily routine, instead of only being added in, in a time of crisis.
Why is self-care important?
Physical health
Taking care of your physical health is essential for your overall well-being. Engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and practising good hygiene are all forms of self-care that can prevent illness, boost your immune system and increase your energy levels.
Mental health
Self-care is vital for mental health. Stress, anxiety and depression can take a toll on your mind and body. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or hobbies you enjoy, can help reduce stress and improve your overall mental health.
Emotional health
Self-care involves acknowledging and addressing your emotions. It allows you to express your feelings in a healthy way and seek support when needed. Engaging in activities that bring you joy such as spending time with loved ones, reading your book or going on a long walk all contribute to emotional well-being.
Self-care activities
Mindfulness on the go
Do you need the ultimate relaxation aid that will help you relax, calm down and regain control of your stress levels? If you answered yes then you have come to the right place. Sometimes when we are at work or on the go, it can be difficult to practise mindfulness when we need it the most. Morphée Zen has been created to help bring around a sense of uninterrupted calm when you're feeling overwhelmed or when you need a moment to yourself. Each of the 72 Morphée Zen sessions have been thoughtfully curated by well-being and relaxation experts to ensure each session can effectively release tension, calm your mind and put you in a state of deep relaxation. Our Zen has been designed for on-the-go as it comes with its own set of headphones, it’s small enough to fit into your pockets and each session lasts 5-minutes.
Healthy habits
Looking after our body is a self-care activity that we should prioritise everyday of the week; and no that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy a takeaway from time to time or enjoy a pyjama day at the weekend! Exercise is a beneficial self-care activity because it promotes your physical and mental wellbeing. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which helps to release stress and helps to improve your mood. Regular exercise also enhances your physical health such as your cardiovascular health. Additionally, exercise fosters discipline, boosts confidence and provides a positive outlet for stress, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life.
What you put into your body is also an important part of your everyday self-care routine. Nutrient-rich foods boost your energy levels and can enhance your mood. A healthy diet can help strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Prioritising nutritious choices fosters self-love and a positive relationship with one’s body.
Creative expression
Engaging in creative activities is beneficial for the mind as it fosters innovation, reduces stress and enhances cognitive function. Creative expression is something you can do with people you love or you can do by yourself for a little bit of ‘you’ time. There are a number of creative activities you can partake in as part of your self-care routine:
- Pottery painting
- Reading or writing
- Photography
- Filmmaking
- Knitting
- Acting
- Cooking or baking
Meditation
Meditation is a very popular activity for people to add onto their list of self-care activities to practise. Meditation involves focusing your attention in order to eliminate outside distractions. Through regular meditation, individuals can cultivate inner peace, improve emotional well-being and develop resilience which leads to a healthier and more balanced life. If you have never tried meditation before, it can seem overwhelming and pretty foreign to sit down and relax the mind. To help you, you could listen to Morphée, our guided meditation device that has over 200 sessions for you to choose from each day. From breathing sessions, to visualisation sessions to body scans, we have 8 themes for you to choose from.
The team hopes you love Morphée just as much as we do! We offer a 100-night trial, so if you’re not getting on with our product, you can return it and receive a full refund within 100 days. * T&C’s apply.
Social connection
Whether you want to plan a date with your partner, catch up with friends over dinner or Facetime your family that live miles away, make sure you add a bit of social time into your weekly routine. Interacting with others can help to boost your mood, reduce feelings of isolation, alleviate stress and enhance your mental health. Having some plans in the diary gives you something to look forward to and building strong relationships can help you to overcome stressful times when you need to lean on them for support.
Relaxation
The colder months are rolling in, which means a warming bubble bath will become a necessary part of our everyday routine! Taking a hot shower or bath will give you some 'you' time and warm water has been proven to reduce your blood pressure. When your blood pressure drops, it will reduce your heart rate which can help bring around a sense of relaxation. Indulging in warm or hot showers and baths are not only needed for hygiene purposes, but they can also relax you. Whilst you're in the bath, you can also take some time to read a book or listen to your Morphée to put you into a deep state of relaxation, which can also help you get to sleep.
It’s important to note that self-care is not a one-size-fits-all concept. What constitutes as self-care to you, may not count as self-care to someone else. It’s all about identifying your individual needs and finding activities and practices that support your well-being. Remember, self-care should be an ongoing and intentional part of your routine, rather than something you only focus on in a time of crisis.
