Just like that, it's the middle of the year. 2020 may not be the best year for most. For many people, it's been an emotionally, financially, and morally draining six months.

It's an endurance test for our emotions and mental state. While we hope for the best and work towards a better future, now is a great time to check in with ourselves.

Self-Care is Essential

External stressors abound these days, and they just keep getting louder and louder. We can't eliminate and control the things that are happening around us. But we can take a few steps back to care for our mind and body, areas that better equip us to survive and thrive.

In a 2017 journal, researchers defined self-care as, "a multidimensional, multifaceted process of purposeful engagement in strategies that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being."

Source: https://doi.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fcou0000206

Unfortunately, many people find self-care as a luxury. In a time like ours, where bills are piling up, taking a hot yoga class or weekend getaway is far from a priority. That's perfectly understandable. But that's not the only form of self-care. Consequently, when you neglect yourself, you'll feel overwhelmed, tired and unprepared to face the many challenges.

We make our case for self-care here.

Different areas in your life need caring for. In this blog, we list down five main categories for self-care and activities you can do to add it to your daily routine:

Go through the activities listed in the blog above and consider if they're worth adding to your daily routine.

Create a realistic Self-Care Checklist

Decide which activities work for you and your lifestyle. Personalise the activities and carefully add them to your daily routine. Mental health expert, Jamison Monroe, reminds us:

"Think of a self-care checklist not as a list of to-dos, but as a guide to help you take better care for yourself."

Remember these tips when making your checklist:

1.    Work within your time - realistically schedule your week. You already know which hours are non-negotiable. Carve in self-care outside of work or family time. Remember that this is a work in progress, and something like sleeping an hour earlier can already be a step in the right direction.

2.    Be realistic - experts reveal that small steps are the best way to add a new habit. Instead of going from no hours of working out to working out every day, set smaller goals until you have mastered it. For example, start with a quick 30 minute run twice a week. Once you have fully gotten used to the practice, add in another day.

3.    Start with basics - don't let the complex words and colourful activities confuse you. Start with simple, easy-to-do projects. From there, review other areas in your life that might need more attention. Simplify! Instead of doing meal preps that take up your time (and will eventually cost you more), order detox packages and weekly meal plans that simplify the activity for you.

4.    Always check-in with yourself - you won't know progress unless you track it. Write down your plans and be mindful when you should reassess your improvement. Set an alarm for a month from now and see how far you've come!