Jive Five - Five Simple Things You Can Do To Start Looking After Yourself

As I said in my first post I've not been looking after myself properly for some time now, neglecting how I look and what is pretty basic self care. I'm trying to change that. The longer a habit of any kind is repeated the more difficult it becomes to change, and the deeper in the habit you become entrenched the harder it is to see that there's anything out of the ordinary about what you are doing. When you are already feeling low, making any effort at all to change the status quo requires a lot of willpower and strength and can easily feel overwhelming. Here are five simple, easy ways you can start to look after yourself better if you've been neglecting yourself. They're not groundbreaking, they've all been listed in myriad places before but they are gentle and don't require a lot of energy if you're already feeling like you are worn down and don't require a lot of (if any) planning. If you're reading them and thinking they're all a natural part of your life, and how could anyone not be doing such simple things, then this list is not for you today. If you're feeling stuck, even if you're not feeling rock bottom, perhaps they can help give you a little boost. If you're feeling really low, just start with one of them today. One thing to look after yourself. If you start to feel a little more resilient and able, then choose another.

 

1) Go for a walk. Every day. Outside. Set yourself a timer for 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes. Or set a step goal or distance goal. Start small. Whatever feels managable. No matter the weather. If the weather is lovely, breathe in the fresh air, look for the beauty in the changing of the seasons, see how many different flowers you can spot. If the weather is dreadful and there is no enjoyment in it for you, savour the moment you walk back through your door into the dry and the warmth (this is my coping mechanism some days). This year Tich and I have made a pact to take our little ones out for a walk, no matter the weather or the whining some days, as we'd realised sometimes we went for two, or even three days without leaving the house. Increase your timer, your step or distance goal as you go along. If you live in a city try to find a green space for your walk. It's common knowledge nature is healing and good for our wellbeing, and the daily movement will add up. 

 

2) Brush your hair. Every day. I got into a habit of just readjusting my sleep bun (sometimes I didn't even do that) when I woke up and that was it. And yes, I love a messy mum bun but a hair brush or comb sometimes didn't touch my hair for over a week, sometimes longer. There was zero styling of any kind going on. I wasn't washing my hair often. It was just too much effort on myself when I had so many other things to be doing to look after my little ones and the rest of the household. But I've found taking that little bit of time to do such a basic thing sets my day up so much better. I am affirming to myself I am worthy. I am worthy of being looked after. You are worthy of being looked after. You are worthy of your own time and effort. Once you've got that down add in a little more styling, I'm not talking about getting the curling or straightening irons out and going all out, but try a ponytail, a plait, slicked back, side part, something new, an old favourite, anything instead of your go-to. Wash your hair. Notice how much lighter you feel because of it. I know I am. I like running my fingers through my hair again. It feels nice. It makes me feel nice.

 

3) Drink more water. Maybe you don't drink any. Maybe you only drink a couple of glasses a day. Just adding one more glass of water into your day will help hydrate your body a little more. I know when I've not made the effort to drink enough water I feel sluggish and lethargic and my skin looks tired, pallid and more lined. If you're not used drinking water at all, as with the walking, start small. Drink one glass a day for a week. Then add in a second. See how different you feel after a few weeks. The extra exercise of going back and forth to the toilet far more often (sorry, not even kidding) will get you moving more and feeling more energised too.

 

4) Eat one more piece of fruit or veg than you usually would. I've noticed when I'm feeling down I reach for the things that aren't so great for me, and then lo and behold I don't feel so great. When I eat things that are better for me, I feel better. So add a portion of your favourite dried fruit to your breakfast. Or an orange to your lunch. Or a portion of veg. You may not notice the physical difference, but somewhere, deep down, your body will be thanking you for the wonderful nutrients you just fed it.

 

5) Go to bed earlier. Often when I'm feeling really low I struggle with sleep, even though I know lack of sleep severly affects my wellbeing (after 4 years of no sleep courtesy of our wee girl Tich and I were wrecks) I still choose to stay up too late (ahem, like writing blog posts at 11pm) instead of getting an early night and allowing myself to rest. Often it's anxiety that keeps me up too late, thinking about all the things I have or haven't done, trying to do everything I feel like I need to do, worrying about things I cannot change, stressing about my work, thinking about how I need to go to sleep and how tired I'll be in the morning. Instead of staying up, now I try to go to bed at a regular time, avoiding screens for at least half an hour before and reading before switching the light off at a regular time. Ideally I'm in bed by 10pm and lights off by 10:30pm. Rock. And. Roll. But I know no matter how much I don't get done in the evening I will wake up feeling better for it. If I can't get to sleep I try to relax into it. Think about all those things, but breathe through them and then think about how much rest my body is getting by lying still and calm.

 

The most important thing to remember is to be gentle with yourself. It's ok to not be ok. You are not a failure. You are not nothing. You are strong because even though you are not ok you are still here. Think of what you are doing despite feeling rock bottom, instead of focussing on what you aren't doing. Celebrate every little step you take. I have to tell myself these things like a mantra. Are you going to try any of these things? What do you do to look after yourself when you're not feeling your best? 

I'm wearing:

Shirt: Kronk via a charity shop
Cardigan (old): Matalan
Skirt: Pilot via a charity shop
Jacket: New Look via a friend
Bag: charity shop
Scarf: market
Tights: unknown
Shoes: uknown
Earrings: birthday gift from Tich
Bead necklace: via an auntie
Bangles: thrifted

Photos taken by Tich

Photos originally posted October 19th, 2012 here