Self-care is the process of caring for oneself through the implementation of habits that will promote mental wellbeing, better health and happiness. It means that you are simply being mindful of your own needs, so you are better able to support the people you care about. When you take care of yourself and are not stressed, you are better able to focus on other areas of your life. Engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve concentration, minimise frustration and anger, increase happiness, improve energy, and more.
Self-care comes in a variety of forms. It could be doing meditation or yoga. Finding some time to enjoy the company of those who bring positive energy into your life. Self-care could be taking time out of your day to go to the gym, do a skin care routine or to cook something nutritious for yourself. It could also be a project that you enjoy that has no relevance to your day-to-day life, but it brings you moments of peace such as, gardening.
For pregnant women or new mothers going through the postpartum stage of their journey, self-care has a vital importance in shaping the way that you feel and are able to look after your little one. Self-care must be non-negotiable time that you schedule in. The impact it has can speak volumes to the way in which you feel every day and to help with your recovery post birth.
If you haven’t done so already, do check out our antenatal course run by our Muslim doulas @shemsdoula and @thesunshinedoula who explore the importance of self-care.