Self-care is something that I have always invested in and yet at times it is something that can become a distant memory when faced with all that life throws at us. What is enlightening though is that through the pandemic I have seen more resources, whether it be for online courses, wellbeing articles or workshops via an online platform to help people discover a little more self-care.
Alongside my various business ventures, I am currently working in my previous role in Local Government and yesterday received an email inviting staff to attend a choice of online webinars promoting ‘Coronacare’. Each session runs for one hour and staff have been given the option of attending two sessions within work hours. A sample of the sessions include Mindfulness, Healthy Brain Healthy Body, Sleep and our Health plus Working from home effectively, Maintaining motivation and Parenting whilst working from home. This type of initiative is fantastic in numerous ways. It allows people who under normal circumstances wouldn’t seek out or know where to seek out help, it offers information from professionals on a variety of topics, it offers a break from the work day and it shows the staff they are supported in self-care.
I have numerous self-care practices, some of which I try to do daily, others weekly and some when I feel the need for more me time to clear my brain of clutter. Every morning I start the day with Reflexology on my feet. Although a full treatment can take up to an hour, even working on particular pressure points, such as those that correspond to the neck, shoulders, back, brain or sinuses for five minutes with some oil, can help to get the day started in a positive way.
Also daily (work and weather permitting), I walk for 20 minutes around the beautiful pathways of the garden where I currently live whilst listening to something uplifting from audible or a coaching podcast. On Tuesdays being my day off I have a particularly favourite podcast I listen to from the British Life Coach, Selina Barker. Selina’s style is fantastic, she’s down to earth and is real in her approach. It’s not all sunshine and flowers in the world not only right now but generally, so it’s been refreshing to listen to Selina weekly since I discovered her podcast in November 2020. Each podcast is between 10 and 20 minutes so doesn’t take a heap of time and might give you something inspiring to consider. https://www.selinabarker.com/themondaycrew.
When I really need some focused self-care I turn to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) which is an emotional healing process that involves tapping with the fingertips on acupoints that stimulate the energy meridian system, and release unwanted negative emotions as well as physical pain and discomfort. According to foundational EFT theory, “The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.” When you focus your thoughts on an emotional issue while tapping on the acupoints, you calm your body’s energy meridian system. As a result, the impact of the negative emotional issue tends to lessen – or disappear completely.
EFT was developed by Gary Craig in the 1990s based on his study of work done by Roger Callahan in Thought Field Therapy (TFT), being one of the first methods in what is now called Energy Psychology. In turn Gary Craig trained only 29 EFT Founding Masters worldwide and I was privileged to be trained in London as an EFT Practitioner in 2008 by one of those Founding Masters so have been using it for over 13 years.
Also recognise, your self-care doesn’t have to be therapeutic in nature, it may involve playing sport, reading, having a massage, talking to friends or family, going to the theatre or a film, indulging in afternoon tea or a museum, anything that gives you time away from everyday pressures to be in the moment, be kind to yourself and wind down.
I run a private Facebook group for women only called “It’s never too late to…” If you would like to request membership please do so via: https://www.facebook.com/groups/823389491900991.
Lindy Haigh 
Great reading Lindy with positive ideas, well done.
Thank you for the lovely comment Zelma x
Hello Lindy ,
this article is so nice to read and inviting to work on your body and mind ,
well explained and with examples from your own experience’s.
Especially in these Covid times it can be a hand to hold to go further on your path in life.
Thank you.
Thankyou Andre for your kind comments x