How do you practice self-care to support your emotional wellbeing? How does it help you?
Self-care for me varies depending on what is happening in life. Sometimes I enjoy organising a meal and movie with friends and other times I need an hour alone to have a long shower.
How do you ask for / accept help from family and loved ones? Why is learning to accept help so important?
I’m constantly learning to ask for help but am getting a lot better at accepting offers of help. It’s vital to being able to take care of yourself and the others around you. I’m a big believer in the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup”.
What kind of help was the most useful to you?
A mix of help was the best support- seeing a counsellor regularly, having my mum take care of my son so I could have me time as well as calling a friend for a chat and laugh.
What are some helpful strategies for identifying and communicating your care and support needs to family and friends?
Communicating your needs comes secondary to understanding what you need. Being able to know what you need is powerful.
What is your advice to others about the friendships, hobbies and interests?
Not overthinking what makes you feel good or what you think you should enjoy is the best advice! Like yoga? Great, do it! Hate yoga? Don’t do it if it doesn’t relax you.
I love sitting on the couch watching trashy reality tv with a chocolate biscuit and a cup of tea- sometimes that is all I need to refresh me- nothing luxurious or extravagant.
Maintaining good friendships is important, the greatest friends won’t care if they don’t hear from you for a week or two, they embrace and love you whenever you need it.
What are some of the positive impacts of helping others?
Helping others makes you feel good. It can help put your challenges into perspective and help you forget about them for a little while.
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