“It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.”
Diane Von Furstenberg
Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential. No-one’s perfect. But so often we compare our insides to other people’s outsides. This month we’re encouraging everyone to be kinder to themselves (as well as others), especially when things go wrong. Self-care increases our resilience and helps us get more out of life. It also helps us accept others as they are too.
Podcast: Simple Self Care
Simple Self Care is a podcast dedicated to simplifying the healing journey by aligning your self-care practices with your own inner wisdom and the natural cycles outside and within. Though self-care has become quite the buzzword, it’s actually a vital tool that can fit beautifully into your everyday life. Join in as we explore how to create a deep and meaningful relationship with ourselves naturally, intentionally, and simply.
Yoga: YouTube
10-Minute Yoga for Self-Care – Yoga with Adriene – 10 min Yoga for Self-Care invites you to take 10 min of your day to practice self-care and love of self. We spend a lot of time on our phones, computers, in traffic, working, and taking care of others. Take TEN to tend to your mind and body with this practice that combines yoga asana, breath, and massage. Move in a way that feels good, tend to your heart space and cultivate self-love with this 10-minute loving, healing, mindfulness practice.
Meditation: YouTube
Sunday Scaries | A Mini-Meditation on Self-Care – Get ready for the week at home with this mini-meditation series, guided by Andy Puddicombe. This week, we set up a #selfcaresunday routine, including meditation, gratitude, and a little joy.
Watch: Get My Sh!t Together
Follow Carl Mullan and Pamela Joyce on this feel good fest as they embark on a series of small but meaningful challenges to try and kick 2021 off in the right way and get their sh!t together! (This programme was filmed during level 3 restrictions in accordance with Government guidelines.) Available on the RTE Player.
Netflix: Resurface
It’s not difficult to see why this is regarded as one of the most heartfelt Netflix originals — the program follows a group of military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as they heal and rediscover their emotional and physical strength through surf therapy. Watch the trailer here.
TEDTalks: How to practice emotional first aid | Guy Winch
We’ll go to the doctor when we feel flu-ish or a nagging pain. So why don’t we see a health professional when we feel emotional pain: guilt, loss, loneliness? Too many of us deal with common psychological-health issues on our own, says Guy Winch. But we don’t have to. He makes a compelling case to practice emotional hygiene — taking care of our emotions, our minds, with the same diligence we take care of our bodies. You can watch the talk here.
Books: The Comfort Book – Matt Haig
Reflections on hope, survival and the messy miracle of being alive. Nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn’t give up. The Comfort Book is a collection of little islands of hope. It gathers consolations and stories that give new ways of seeing ourselves and the world. Matt Haig’s mix of philosophy, memoir and self-reflection builds on the wisdom of philosophers and survivors through the ages, from Marcus Aurelius to Nellie Bly, Emily Dickinson to James Baldwin. This is the book to pick up when you need the wisdom of a friend, the comfort of a hug or a reminder that hope comes from unexpected places.
Activities: 134 Activities to Add to Your Self-Care Plan
You may find that, at certain points, the world (and the people in it) place greater demands on your time, energy, and emotions than you might feel able to handle. This is precisely why self-care is so important. It is the routine maintenance you need do to function your best not only for others, but also for yourself. Next time you find yourself saying, “I really need to do something for myself,” browse this list and pick something that speaks to you.
Playlist: The Comfort Book
“These all aren’t comforting lyrically, or comforting in a logical way, but they all comfort me through the direct or indirect magic that only music can muster. You will have different ones. But I thought I’d share some of mine.” – Matt Haig. The playlist is available here.
Finance: Financial Self-Care: Could It Transform Your Relationship with Money?
Practicing financial self-care means developing habits that set you up to reach your financial goals and teach you how to start saving money. Setting aside money for your savings every month, creating a budget, and following a debt management plan head on are several ways you can practice financial self-care. You can get 11 easy financial self-care tips here.
App: Insight Timer
Insight Timer is the number 1 free meditation app. Guided meditations and talks led by the world’s top meditation and mindfulness experts, neuroscientists, psychologists and teachers Join millions learning to meditate on Insight Timer to help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, manage stress, sleep deeply and improve happiness. Available on Android and iPhone.
The Mindful Traveller 