Prioritizing self-care matters: a continuation (strategies included)

In the pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, it's essential to recognise that even small tasks, when connected to our broader life purpose, can become meaningful. This article offers practical strategies for making self-care achievable and consistent, focusing on emotional self-care skills, strengthening connections, personal insight, finding purpose, and mindful consistency.

Branka Mlinar, a psychologist and Gestalt therapist, emphasises the importance of nurturing autonomy and control, which contributes to a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. Engaging in actions that reflect our core purpose fosters fulfillment, meaning, and long-term personal growth.

The four pillars of wellbeing are emotional, intellectual, physical, and social. Building healthy connections encourages openness, empathy, and mutual support among friends and loved ones. Developing personal insight involves deep, curiosity-driven understanding of personal self-narratives and experiences.

Self-care and wellbeing improve through consistent practice over time. Practising qualities like kindness, gratitude, compassion, and empathy for just a few minutes daily can create noticeable changes within two weeks. Mindfulness and meditation are effective techniques for developing and maintaining daily awareness skills.

Emotional Self-Care Skills

Daily journaling to express feelings and reflect helps increase emotional awareness and processing. Writing out reasons you're lovable or things you've overcome can reinforce positive self-view. Deep breathing and meditation reduce stress and build self-awareness. Even 5-10 minutes daily can boost emotional regulation and mindfulness. Practising gratitude by listing things you appreciate regularly shifts focus toward positivity and emotional resilience. Allow yourself emotional expression, such as having a body-shaking cry when needed.

Strengthening Connections

Regularly call or message trusted friends or family to maintain and deepen social support. Text check-ins or phone conversations both work depending on comfort levels. Engage in social activities or meaningful family moments, like planning a game night or taking a day trip together. Volunteer or donate time to causes you care about to connect with others and foster a sense of community.

Personal Insight and Finding Purpose

Spend time in nature mindfully to foster tranquility and connect with your inner self, aiding emotional clarity and grounding. Reflect on life moments, create vision or bucket lists, and remind yourself of personal achievements to build purpose and motivation. Engage in new learning opportunities or classes to spark interests and growth.

Maintaining Consistency Through Mindful Activities

Establish a routine that incorporates self-care activities like stretching, yoga, or regular walks to build habit strength. Prioritise sleep hygiene, aiming for consistent bedtime and wake times to support emotional and physical health. Use affirmations and reminders scheduled on your phone to maintain positive self-talk and consistency. Break down bigger tasks using a manageable, step-by-step plan to avoid overwhelm and maintain steady progress.

Lifestyle Factors Supporting Self-Care

Eat a balanced, nutritious diet and stay hydrated to support mood and energy. Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or warm baths to activate the body’s relaxation response and reduce stress. Reduce caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and avoid substances that disrupt emotional balance and rest.

Starting small—such as a few minutes of journaling or a brief walk—makes these strategies more feasible daily. Combining emotional awareness (journals, meditation), social connections (calls, volunteering), purpose reflection (nature, lists), and mindful routines (sleep, movement) creates a sustainable foundation for consistent self-care that nurtures overall well-being.

The goal is not to immediately change self-narratives but to understand them more fully and objectively. Recognising emotional state helps prevent mental health issues from worsening over time. Awareness is the quality of recognising and understanding events, situations, or emotions as they occur.

[1] Mlinar, B. (2022). The Art of Self-Care: A Guide to Nurturing Emotional, Social, and Physical Wellbeing. London: Penguin Random House.

[2] Dahl, C. J. (2021). The Four Pillars of Wellbeing: A Guide to Personal Growth and Lifelong Learning. New York: HarperCollins.

[3] Mlinar, B. (2020). The Power of Mindfulness: A Psychologist's Guide to Finding Inner Peace. London: Orion Books.

[4] Dahl, C. J. (2019). The Mindful Way to Stress Reduction: A Practical Guide to Finding Inner Calm. New York: Simon & Schuster.

[5] Mlinar, B. (2018). Eating for Emotional Balance: A Psychologist's Guide to Food and Mood. London: Vermilion.

Prioritizing self-care matters: a continuation (strategies included)