Mental and emotional self-care is one of the most important facets of your self-care routine.
If you prioritize your emotional self-care, I can wholeheartedly guarantee you will feel much more happier and fulfilled as an individual!
Emotional self-care can be described as: “Caring for your emotional needs by identifying and nurturing your feelings, your conscious inner state, and your intellect (Emotionally Resilient Living)”.
It’s all too easy to get lost in the whirlwind of hectic family life these days and find your emotional self-care needs get left on the back-burner.
Emotional self-care is more than just massages and mani-pedis, it’s about listening to your thoughts and feelings (that inner dialogue) and honouring them in a way that allows you to move forward and feel happy within.
Once you learn to handle your thoughts and feelings you will be able to get through any tough emotional situations.
You will find if you don’t honour and express your emotions, they can cause a roadblock in your mind, resulting in anxious thoughts, the ‘burn-out feeling’ and general restlessness. Or what I like to call a good ole fashioned rut!
Over the years as a busy mama, I sure have faced some ‘emotional ruts’! Busy, modern family-life forces you to re-prioritise your own life around the children and your partner, leaving you last.
But mama, I am here for you!
Here are my top 7 emotional self-care tips (not just for yourself but self-care ideas for families!)
// 1. Monitor your internal dialogue
Ever struggle with pesky negative thoughts that never seem to go away!? Well, my friend, this is a battle we all face, you’re only human darl!
To tend to your emotional care, you should monitor your inner dialogue and take note of the type of thoughts that bounce around your brain.
Once you realise the type of repetitive thoughts, you can start to honour them and realise your thoughts are not you and you have the power to let thoughts go.
If you find you’re having trouble letting go of these so-called negative thoughts you can either short-circuit your thinking or write down the reverse meaning of the negative thought and turn it into a positive affirmation i.e. ‘You’re not good enough’ to ‘You are good enough’.
// 2. Create boundaries in family and work
Look, lady, I know you’re superwoman! But sometimes you just can’t do it all, I’ve tried this for decades and it always resulted in me burning out and dreaming of a poolside getaway to Bali (which was completely impossible due to my hectic schedule).
It’s time to set some clear expectations and boundaries to what your schedule can really handle.
The best way to start fencing up some boundaries in your busy life is to literally say a big fat NO! to anything that doesn’t bring joy.
// 3. Find your zen by regularly meditating
I am an avid believer in the power of a positive thinking. If your mindset is right, you can do anything!
I find regular meditation helps me find my zen, even when everything’s gone to sh*t!! (Yes, we’ve all been there!).
The best tool to get you in the zone is the Calm App. This brilliant little app will have your heart rate down in seconds and your mind at ease within minutes!
// 4. Make time in your schedule for ‘me-time’
OK, hear me out mama! You need time for yourself.
I know you feel like you need to be there 24/7 for your loved ones, but sometimes you need to be a tad selfish and enjoy a cuppa, or go for that walk. Enjoying some ‘me-time’ is a non-negotiable (here are 21 ways to create more ‘me time’).
‘Me-time’ will give you that little bit of sanctity, where you can be alone with yourself and start to decompress and purge the negative thoughts that cloud your subconscious.
When you’re alone you can think about things without the distraction of little people or big babies (like your hubby! Just kidding LOL).
If your schedule is a little out of whack and it’s a bit hard to pinpoint some well-earned ‘me-time’… then perhaps it’s time break old habits and get your schedule organized!
As I like to say, “Out with the old in with the new!” Perhaps try a digital calendar like Life Sorted, a centralized family calendar to organize everyone’s schedule all in one place (plus it’s available across all devices #score).
Using Life Sorted allows you to see everyone’s schedules all at once, and find the perfect time to slot in some ‘me-time’. Or just block out your calendar every week by a simple repeating event.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
// 5. Unleash your creativity
Letting your creativity run wild can be a great way to practise emotional self-care, mental health professionals suggests creative activities such as creating art, painting or craft can process feelings, reduce stress, lower anxiety and boost your self-esteem.
There’s nothing better than sitting down (or standing) and creating something with your hands and mind (our brains are so cluttered it’s good to care for your brain by purging all your thoughts, feelings and inhibitions onto a canvas or DIY craft).
I love having some ‘me-time’ and knotting up a Macrame wallhanging for my friends and fam. If you have no idea what I’m talking about learn this Macrame tutorial which will blow your socks off!
// 6. Mama accept you ain’t perfect!
This may sound harsh, but as an ex-perfectionist myself, I know first-hand that you need to stop setting the precedent too high!
I suffered from perfectionism for more than half my life, I was one of those first-class perfectionists who were in constant pursuit of making everything damn perfect!
Eventually, I found the light and started embracing my flaws and accepting imperfection in every corner of my life. After adjusting to imperfection, my self-esteem improved, the nerves went away, and I was no longer anxious about the small things!
To battle perfectionism, start small by setting realistic goals and achievements, you know yourself better than anyone, don’t attempt the impossible!
// 7. Seek out a healthy support system
Seeking out your support network or an individual to regularly check-in with is a great way to ensure your mind is always in the right mind frame or needs a little re-adjustment.
You know those individuals in your life who inspire you? They might be close friends, colleagues or even bosses!
You’ll know exactly who these people are because every time you see them you feel re-centred, energized and clearer after talking to them!
Mindset is everything babe!
So there you have it, my emotional self-care ideas… I hope it was helpful! Your emotional self-care routine is EVERYTHING, without a healthy mindset life will continue to be a drag.
Make sure you regularly listen to your mind, feelings and thoughts and make the necessary changes before you spiral into a rut.
Good luck mama!
x Jo
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