SELF - CARE
WHAT IS SELF CARE?
Self-Care has been interpreted in many ways across the world, but our definition implies thought to most of the significant things that enable us to live a healthy and content lifestyle. We define self-help as the process of changing one's perspective and accepting responsibility for one's health and wellbeing to improve the vibrancy and vitality of life. When mentioning the word 'care', many people feel that there is something wrong as it is something wanted at a time of need. However, our use of it implies not need, but a strive for improvement.
Self-Care is one of the most vital things that need to be enhanced in our day to day life to increase the efficiency of our body and the use of our time. We encourage self-care in a variety of different ways, which are all based on improving and empowering our actions. In a world with a growing number of pessimists and optimists, it is humanity's responsibility to help dissolve the resentment in our modern world, and bring peace and harmony to fruition.
One of our purposes as a growing consciousness is to enlighten ourselves, our lives, and others, to bring them into a better improving lifestyle and state of mind; we have to enter that lifestyle ourselves in order to be able to help ourselves and other people.
Below, you will find information about this topic, with a variety of different collective writing pieces, posts, images, ideas and a lot more to discover...
Summer Activities
Have a Swim!
Swimming is a refreshing activity to cool you down during the hot summertime. If it's warm enough, have a swimming session outside in the sun to get a golden tan at the same time. However, if you're a pale Brit like me, you're going to want to load up on suncream SPF90...
Volunteering
Volunteering can be anything you like. Just as long as it gets you out of the house every day for a set amount of days or weeks. Take a volunteer course locally, abroad or even organise one yourself! There's no better feeling than knowing you've voluntarily helped the community and seeing how effective your actions are in your surroundings, the people you're with and the people you're helping.
Watersports
Take a First Aid and Watersports course and bask in the sun along the seafront. Watersports are brilliantly fun and you can learn many new helpful life skills such as CPR, and participate in some exciting games and competitions on the water's surface.
Festivals
Festivals are a MUST for the summer if you class yourself as a free spirit. Festivals expand your love and energy like you've never experienced before. Being around so many loving people can really bring you back in touch with your soul. There's so much to experience and learn that there is no way you can come back without a beaming smile on your face, and a new and radiant love for life.
Take a walk to a local market
Visiting local markets during the summer will expand your home decor like you've never seen before. Going into a market you can't come out empty-handed. There are so many beautiful clothes, furniture, decor, ornaments etc to choose from that you will walk 10k in circles in no time!
Re-Decorate
Nothing feels better than changing up your living environment, whether it be adding a new colour to your walls, or going to a local market and getting an antique chest of drawers. Spicing up your life can make you feel like a brand new person for a brand new sun every morning. Inspire yourself to do the things you love every day with a bit of decoration. We have some DIY
decorations on our creatives page you could try out too.
Frisbee
Frisbee is excellent for staying active during the summer. You can play it with your friends and family and have a blast! It's one of those sports where you don't even realise how active you are during the game, making it the perfect one to forget all your worries and to do lists.
Hobbies
Picking up a new hobby during the summer can broaden your knowledge and give you something to focus your good energy on! It can be cooking/baking, crafting, painting, organising, learning a new musical instrument, learning a new skill; eg: first aid, camping outside, pottery, dancing etc... Take the time during your day to do something new and something you love.
UNDERSTANDING OUR CURRENT SELVES
The first thing that we need to be aware of to increase our self-understanding is our attitude towards our day to day life. What's the first thing you think about or feel the moment you wake up each morning? What do you surround yourself with every day? Do you change the way you act or speak towards certain people? Are you really enjoying and savouring every second of your life?
Most people presently are living under the control of their thoughts; a lot of which people don't realise the true effect of. Our thoughts have an incomprehensible amount of power over our bodies; which is why we need to be aware of them - to grasp and change what we are allowing to control us. Our positive thoughts are often blocked out by the negative ones. Growing up, we mostly heard what other people said to themselves or said in public, and picked up a lot of their habits; such as negative thinking, pessimistic behaviour etc. This probably came from a lack of self-care, which resulted in not containing the motivation to improve - but just enough to complain.
Being aware of our thoughts can be extremely difficult for many people, as it's something that isn't regularly taught or shown. For example, a reason for uncontrolled thoughts could likely be from a subconscious 'Confirmation Bias', which can trick us into interpreting information in a way that successes our pre-conception of something. Such as accepting an incredible offer and still seeking a reassurance that it was, in fact, the 'perfect opportunity'.
In this very moment, you are the only one who can decide how you choose to live your life. We are here to help make it a positive one! Being mindful of ourselves shouldn't take a lot of energy; only a lot of our negative thinking space. This is an important difference to also be aware of.
An effective way to start and to continue to be mindful is practising meditation. Meditation is something everybody can get the hang of doing consistently because it's something you can do by yourself or alongside a guided one. It is done in many brilliant ways and we are constantly experimenting with different meditations to improve our practices.
We have collected our favourite meditations on the next page of our website for you to adventure through.
So, what is self-awareness exactly?
We believe that self-awareness is knowing our true needs and desires by tuning in to our bodies; creating an intuitive atmosphere within, to fully focus on bodily improvement with a non-judgemental mindset.
We like to emphasise the importance of containing awareness of your emotions when they arise, and how we monitor our inner world. Health is not just about what you eat and if or how you work out. It's significantly about what you are thinking and how you are using your inner voice towards yourself.
The non-judgemental quality is a vital element in self-awareness. It stops you from over - analysing everything you feel and think. As we notice what is occurring within ourselves, we should acknowledge the feelings as inevitable parts of being human. Judgement can place a label on whether a thought is 'good' or 'bad'; thoughts are just thoughts, they're all neutral. It is how we respond to them which is 'makes' them positive or negative. The tiniest things we never think to be aware of are the ones that are the most important, as a small change can lead a very long way. Self-awareness isn't just accumulating knowledge about ourselves, it's paying attention to our body and its reactions with an open mind and heart. It allows us to be fully conscious of the mind's preconceptions, which can build the foundation to free ourselves truly and peacefully.
Self-awareness is phenomenal when it comes to emotional intelligence. It allows us to control what is truly worth reacting to and in what way. Awareness forms the basic knowledge of staying present and focused in unexpected situations that may arise; leading to a deeper and fuller life experience in general, and helps to find an incredible increased amount of love, compassion and patience for yourself and others.
Self-awareness is also about changing your perspective. Often, people aren't fond of change because it might seem like a large amount of effort. However, the key to accepting change is seeing the outcome from the bigger picture; which is a lesson learnt in the process of learning self- awareness.
We might never be able to fully and truly understand every single aspect of ourselves, as we are all currently evolving in ways we could have never imagined, but being self-aware allows us to understand and explore deeper into our true beings. We are constantly growing and evolving into our greatest versions, which is something we believe is definitely worth living for.
The deepest, most powerful, and the most intimate relationship you will ever experience is the relationship you have with yourself.
- unknown
Keeping Our Bodies Active
Movement. The key to maintaining a positive and productive day. It doesn't necessarily have to be running on a treadmill or hiking up a mountain, because let's face it, sometimes, those things can be a burden to our day. There are multiple ways to treat yourself to an uplifting activity such as going on a scenic long stroll across a local park or even dancing your heart out to an outdated Wii programme. The only thing that matters to this, is that your body is consistently moving. It helps with stress, increases your daily productivity, gives you time to reflect on your day, gathers your thoughts, and might just open your heart to a unique way of keeping active. Our bodies are the most precious things we will ever be given, and it is our own responsibility to keep them healthy and active. That's why we have compiled our favourite activities and sports below, to help you start up a better and improved routine.
Springtime Activities
Go For A Stroll In A Local Park
Find yourself curiously wandering around a local park, and seeing the beautiful greenery blossom will keep you active and also keep your mind and your senses awake. It can't hurt to stop and smell the flowers every so often and regain a sense of gratitude for the little things in life.
Re-Organise
Re-organising and clearing out your bedroom/house can be extremely reviving and nostalgic during the spring. It helps not only organise your things but organise your mind at the same time. Cleaning before organising will also put your mind at ease for a yearly spring-clean.
Plant some plants!
Planting during this time of year will certainly leave your hands earthed and your garden up to speed! Planting and gardening can help us cleanse and purify our energy with the negative ions from the soil, resulting in a good deed to help life flourish wherever it can; including ourselves.
Horse-Riding
This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it does give you an opportunity to face your challenges and feel like a prince/princess riding in the wind. This activity will occupy you for at least an hour, creating the great, powerful motivation we all need to be as strong and as majestic as these beautiful animals.
Yoga
Now might be the time to join a yoga class. It is suitable for everybody and is definitely an incredible all-year-round relaxation and de-stressing activity. Yoga helps with all sorts of aches and strains and will help you begin your year with a brilliant, strong mind. Put on some relaxing music and get moving!
Cycling
Go on a bike ride around town! Cycling is great for your legs and upper thigh strength. Riding your bike will allow you to explore the local area better and will allow you to truly absorb the atmosphere of your lovely home. You can also cycle around a local park, a quick way to see the nature and wildlife at a faster pace.
Tennis/Badminton
Both tennis and Badminton increase your concentration and are very good for your body in general. They're both sports which can be played as a family and as a hobby, and surely make a lovely, rejuvenating session whether it be morning, afternoon or evening.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is great for your arm and upper body strength; it's also an activity that works your body hard without you noticing that much. It's a great skill to inherit and if you ask one of the instructors they can also teach you how to belay someone from the ground. It's an all round fantastic sport to begin.
Autumn Activities
Apple /fruit Picking
Apple and fruit picking are splendid activities to relax you and keep you moving at the same time. This is the time to gather your knowledge and master a perfect apple or blackberry pie and custard to celebrate your newly learnt and improved skills. Make some delicious apple juice to start your autumnal mornings right.
Woodlands
Scavenging around the woodlands can be a great getaway from day to day activities. Take yourself and maybe a companion with you and spend a few hours appreciating the fall as it is. You can even make some shelters out of tree branches and leaves to make yourself a camouflageable hideaway to come back to.
Whilst you're there, take a few snapshots to keep a memory to remember.
Collecting Leaves
Collecting leaves are not only therapeutic, but it's also a magnificent way to appreciate nature and all its phases. They make great components for journalling, mantlepiece bunting or even used to press and stick for creative masterpieces. You can't go wrong with one of nature's most beautiful elements.
Campfire Dinner
Campfire dinners never fail to bring a joyful experience to us, we connect together with one of earth's purest elements. Cook a mouth-watering dinner for you and some friends and family in the garden or a woodland nearby. Autumn has the most beautiful atmosphere in the warm evenings - a perfect one to sit together and share stories, experiences and roast some marshmallows on some sticks for a sweet and toasted finish.
Picnics
Picnics are always a win for autumn scenery. Take some people you love for a relaxing walk through a park, observing the colours and leaves around you. Sit in a spot with a seasonal atmosphere and enjoy a delicious picnic to fill you up.
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(Just make sure the birds don't steal any of your food...)
Shelter building
As mentioned before, shelter building is a fantastic activity to get on with in the woodlands. Suitable for all ages and all minds. Create a homely shelter by placing a long branch between two trees' trunk branches, and then place loads of other medium sized branches leaning onto that first branch. Add as many as you'd like and cover it with leaves and other plants to make it more secure from the rain outside.
Photography
Photography can take you to places you've never discovered around your home, and outside of your local area.
Even a simple camera can go a long way with practising your skills. Autumn nature is a must for photography, capturing the all the colours, tones, wildlife. It keeps you as curious as a child.
Pumpkin Carving
There's hardly anything more seasonal than to pick and carve pumpkins for our traditional halloween evening. Go to a pumpkin farm or pick one out of a local shop and load up on carving tools on your way home. Spend some time designing your pumpkin with a sharpie pen and then get carving! Use some Youtube tutorials or Pinterest ideas to spice them up even more than usual. Add a lovely glowing candle to signal your house is ready to give out some treats!
Winter Activities
Ice Skating
Ice skating is the perfect way to practice your balance skills and truly see if you're as good on ice as you are with the red wine. Make sure to wrap up warm to keep yourself comfortable in the cold. It also helps if you know which size shoe you are beforehand. So, get down there with your friends and family for a joyful and festive spin around.
Feasts
Preparing a large feast for your close friends and family does certainly bring everybody's inner "mother mode'' into action - no matter your gender to be honest. Cook up a delicious variety of foods and snacks for everyone to enjoy together on a cold winter's day; Put on your favourite movie and sit down to watch together as a big group hug on the sofa.
It's a cosy feeling to be squashed beside everyone you love whilst watching a festive movie.
Snow Building
Sometimes we need to give ourselves a little extra creative push when playing in the snow outside. Have a go at making an igloo or a snow sculpture of your favourite animal. So many things can be made with snow just like sand, but keep going back inside to defrost your fingertips every now and then. We don't want you to become the sculpture.
Winter Market
Winter markets usually contain the most rustic and sentimental presents as it's the time of year to be grateful. Even if you don't celebrate any religious winter traditions, walking past a local market and hearing children carolling and seeing the smiles on people's faces never fails to brighten your mood. It's a perfect way to get into the festive spirit and do some people watching before heading out for some more winter activities.
Decorating
Going up into the attic and retrieving that box full of Christmas decorations is really a wonderful feeling if you're not a miserly Scrooge. Hang up the old and new decor around your room, and get to work to make your house look like a Christmas pop up shop. Don't hesitate to use more than enough, remember, the more the merrier!
Sledging
Sledging on the snow is not only a children's saint of an activity during their childhood. Adults can enjoy it too, but with a little extra help from some Scandinavian Reindeer and Huskies. From experience, Finland is the place I'd recommend to go during the winter for a brilliant experience. Their Lapland area is full of beautiful things to see and take part in such as snowmobiling to see the Aureas Borealis or going on a husky ride through the snow.
Gift Rushing
I don't think I've ever experienced such an intense workout other than rushing around the shops the day before Christmas trying to buy everybody gifts. I'm not suggesting you leave it to the last minute, but it definitely gets you out of the house and moving your feet at a surprisingly quick speed.
Snowball Fighting
