I always assumed that there was a ‘recovered’.

That once you got better from a mental health illness, that that was IT.

You were a normal person.

You didn’t have to worry about it again.

You could just do WHATEVER THE BLOODY HELL YOU WANTED.

Work 40 plus hours a week.

Drink as much as you liked.

Wake up whenever.

Whatever you wanted to do, do it.

That you were impenetrable.

Perfect.

It’s taken me 26 years to realize that this is not possible.

Even for ‘normal’ people, mental health illness free.

Every day is a day in listening to your body and it’s needs.

(As if there is a ‘normal’)

Treating yourself kindly.

Engaging in the small seemingly meaningless acts of self care.

Some mental health problems are deeply ingrained.

There are negative thoughts and fears that have been learned from a young age, or repeated over time until it becomes your own voice telling you that you’re crap.

Problems like anxiety can become so ingrained that life can be unbearable. Speaking to strangers, leaving the house, being in new situations can seem IMPOSSIBLE.

Even for people who do not suffer from mental health illness, general life things like stress, heartbreak, death and other problems can bring you down and overwhelm you.

Engaging in acts of self care each day is caring for yourself.

Treating yourself kindly.

It is the lifeboat that keeps you afloat through calm seas and STORMS.

What can seem like SEEMINGLY SMALL ACTS OF SELF CARE in your day, can have a MASSIVE impact on your OVERALL WELL BEING and MENTAL HEALTH.

Every day, check in with yourself, what do you NEED today?

Here are some SEEMINGLY SMALL ACTS OF SELF CARE you can engage in.

Breakfast Moment For YOU

Having that magical moment set aside in the morning for you.

Giving yourself enough time to get up, make yourself some breakfast, have a coffee/hot drink of your choice and sit in silence by yourself.

Or maybe it’s sitting with your children, partner or friend.

Whatever YOU KNOW will set you up for the day.

Everyone’s morning looks different for them.

But rushing around and shoving random food in your mouth before walking out the door is only going to set your stress levels OFF.

What does an ideal morning look like for you?

Maybe reflect on how a perfect SUNDAY morning looks for you.

And try to recreate an element of that.

Maybe it’s sitting by your back door looking out at the world.

Or fresh coffee.

Give yourself that magical morning moment.

Or try to.

Aromatherapy oils

Now I will admit that if you’d said to me a year ago, aromatherapy oils are a fantastic addition to your self care, I would have honestly told you to …

‘PISS OFF WITH YOUR MUMBO JUMBO BOLLOCKS!’

#justbeinghonest

However, putting my cynicism aside, I started engaging with them at the beginning of this year.

I carry mine with me in my pocket to use before I go on the tube, or before I go into an unknown or anxiety inducing situation. I also rub aromatherapy oil into circulation points when I first wake and before I go to sleep.

I’ve seen my anxiety go MASSIVELY down by engaging in aromatherapy oils.

They are a fantastic way of engaging in self care as they engage your smell and physical senses.

They relax you, refresh you and take you out of your thoughts and into your body.

I bought a few Tisserand Aromatherapy roller balls which are pocket sized and I carry them with me at all times.

I’ve also bought a Scentered ‘Love’ therapy balm sleeve. It contains rose, patchouli and cedar wood to help connect you back to yourself if you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained. Scentered’s balms are really easy to carry on the go.

And I am lucky to have a family friend and hairdresser (who I’ve had since I was born) who made me some ‘Mood Boost’ and ‘Calm’ essential oil mixes and oil burners.

She combined oils that she knew would work for me. She’s trained in aromotherapy and used things like bergamot, lemon, mint and thyme oil all known for boosting mood and easing anxiety.

If you’re looking to learn more yourself about aromatherapy, I recommend the fantastc company Adore Oils, a company which create fantastic essential oils but also deliver really brilliant essential oil workshops and classes. You can get a free sample on their website to try before you buy.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. For decades, Epsom salts have been sold in pharmacies across the world for a natural way of unwinding in the bath tub.

Magnesium rich foods also tend to be rich in iron so are great for fatigue and mood stability.

Research has shown that those who suffer with anxiety or depression can have lower levels of magnesium in their body.

So apart from increasing our levels of magnesium rich foods, what else can we do?

Better You is a company that produces transdermal magnesium products. Application to the skin can increase absorption into your body.

If you’ve been following me on social media, I’m currently doing a 2 week test of applying Better You’s Body Butter, Night time lotion and Night time spray to see if it has an overall effect on my anxiety levels.

The night time spray and lotion also contain lavender which aids with sleep.

Apart from the fact magnesium is a fantastic way of reducing your anxiety or stress levels, and relaxing your muscles, engaging in moisturizing your body with a lovely body cream or lotion is LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF.

It’s showing yourself that you deserve to be LOOKED AFTER. That you’re always worthy of self care.

JAZZ yourself UP

Jazz yourself up? Are you from the 1950s?

This can mean different things to different people.

For some ladies, this can be painting your nails, or getting your hair cut, or putting on a face mask, or shaving your legs, or putting on an outfit that makes you feel GREAT.

For some men this can be having a nice shave, getting a hair cut, putting on some nice aftershave, putting on a great outfit, going to the gym.

These are all examples which are entirely NOT EXCLUSIVE to EACH GENDER.

You know for yourself what helps make you feel GREAT.

You need to show yourself that you are worthy of care.

Not just when you’re going on a date, or a night out or to fancy event.

Every day is a day of engaging in self care.

CBD Oil

I’ve been spending a lot of time reading research articles on National and International Medical Libraries, so what I would have to say would be based on MEDICAL RESEARCH as well as my own experience.

I was recommended CBD oil to take to help with anxiety and digestive issues (DAMN YOU IBS).

It comes from the cannabis plant without any of the THC. THC is the chemical that gives you a high. The psychoactive ingredient.

CBD is absorbed by your body’s canniboid receptors (dealing with appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory) and neurotransmitter receptors.

In research, CBD has shown an effect on reducing anxiety in acute treatment (short period of time). More research needs to be done on chronic treatment (over a longer period of time).

My own experience of CBD oil, has been positive. My anxiety levels are lower, my digestive problems are less but this may well be an overall lifestyle change which I have been implementing. I have friends who have also experienced very positive results in terms of anxiety, psoriasis, digestive problems and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

What SMALL SEEMINGLY MEANINGLESS ACTS OF SELF CARE, do YOU engage in?

What would you recommend?

I’m looking to making this into a series of blog posts, so would ABSOLUTELY LOVE your input.

Comment below or send me a message.

Every day should be a day of engaging in the small, seemingly meaningless acts of self care.

Listen to your body and mind and giving it what it needs.

Much love,

Joy xx