Self-care is not a trend but a necessity

Self-care may sometimes seem like a frivolous wellness trend.

However, as the pace of our lives quickens it becomes even more vital to take care of the small things, making it easier to navigate the bigger things through a balanced lifestyle. Dr Londeka Mnikathi, Psychiatrist at Mediclinic Newcastle, provides practical guidance on how to achieve this.

Therapy

Since 2020, a large part of the self-care movement has emphasised healing past traumas, especially from childhood. It’s common to hear that many of the stumbling blocks in adulthood, around how we deal with conflict and hardships, can be traced back to the traumas experienced during childhood. Dr Mnikathi believes that most people want to see themselves progressing as the years go by, but repeating the same unhealthy cycles will leave you in the same place every year, trying to elevate your mental and emotional state with the same tools, wondering why things aren’t improving. “Going to therapy could help you unpack what’s holding you back, and a therapist could be the key to unlocking a whole new level of emotional and mental awareness with practical tools to manage challenging situations.”

Asking for help

Many people are dealing with long-term burnout because they feel they must be everything to everyone. But whether you’re a parent needing support or a colleague at work, Dr Mnikathi encourages individuals to reach out to your community to let them know you’re overwhelmed and seeking help to develop tools to achieve better balance.

Declutter your space

Decluttering your space can work wonders for your productivity, anxiety, and depression. Creating a peaceful environment is one of the best ways to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed by your daily tasks. So open your space, and give yourself space to breathe and thrive.

Limiting negative self-talk

Once you start a pattern of speaking negatively to yourself, it can be a difficult habit to break. But it is a must to change this habit. A negative outlook also increases your stress levels. It lowers your self-esteem and increase anxiety, constantly telling yourself that “I'm not good enough”, “I'm not worthy" or “I will fail,” and “I’m too lazy to do it” may seem frivolous but could cause immense harm to your confidence, your ability to feel competent and saps you of any motivation to do anything.

Life comes with its challenges, but by incorporating self-care into our everyday lives, we make it a little easier for ourselves to navigate. If you require any support please contact one of our Mediclinic associated specialists for support.