Wellbeing — Should I Care?

Common phrases that are thrown around a lot these days, is wellness and self-care, but have you ever stopped to ask yourself why this is so important? Why should I really care?

Whether it be professionally or personally, at some point each of us will find ourselves in situations and seasons of life that take a greater toll than others. When faced with life’s challenges, the ups and downs, hardships, and setbacks, it is important for us to take time to care for ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, to be able to rejuvenate and refill – you can’t pour from an empty glass.

So, what is wellbeing?

Wellbeing or wellness as the Oxford Dictionary defines is “the state of being comfortable, healthy and happy”. It is more than the concept of moment-to-moment happiness, it includes things like satisfaction with life, our sense of purpose and calling, and how in control we feel. Maintaining good wellbeing can be broken down into 5 key areas:

1. Connecting with others
2. Being physically active
3. Learning new skills
4. Giving to others
5. Paying attention to the present moment; mindfulness

Having high levels of wellbeing help us to be the best versions of ourselves, which in turn helps us to provide the best service and support that we can to those around us.

What is self-care?

Self-care is a general term that describes the behaviours, activities, and skills that we use to take of ourselves to enhance energy, restore health and reduce stress. Self-care is important as it encourages us to maintain a healthy relationship with ourselves by identifying and addressing our own needs. This can be as simple as:

1. Paying attention to our physical health through exercise
2. Getting enough sleep
3. Eating well
4. Practicing gratitude
5. Learning to say “no”
6. Connecting with others
7. Taking time for yourself by doing things that interest you
8. Having down time, like a bath or going for a walk

Self-care is often misconstrued as selfish and indulgent, but it is far from it. When we take the time to refresh ourselves, we are prioritizing being the best version of ourselves that we can be, which ultimately benefits those around us greatly. I don’t know about you, but I would rather know that I am living my best life by being the best version of me that I can, not just for me, but for those around me.

So, will you prioritise some ME time today?