{"id":921,"date":"2020-02-01T10:00:16","date_gmt":"2020-02-01T10:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp\/?p=921"},"modified":"2020-11-03T06:14:47","modified_gmt":"2020-11-03T06:14:47","slug":"self-care-a-continual-conscious-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=921","title":{"rendered":"Self-care &#8211; A continual conscious choice!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"921\" class=\"elementor elementor-921\" data-elementor-settings=\"[]\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4232485 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4232485\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c77cbc\" data-id=\"6c77cbc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74fa5cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"74fa5cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"750\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/yoga-classes-clifton-beach.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/yoga-classes-clifton-beach.jpg 750w, https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/yoga-classes-clifton-beach-300x160.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a66eb7 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-phone elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3a66eb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Self-care - A continual conscious choice!<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0b43da6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0b43da6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-84e6bed\" data-id=\"84e6bed\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f689c19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f689c19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>When asked if we take care of ourselves we invariably answer YES, but do we?<\/p><p>The term &#8220;self-care&#8221; has been thrown around a lot lately since as it has become <em>en vogue<\/em> to discuss the nice things you do for yourself in the name of BEING YOUR OWN BEST NURTURER.<\/p><p><strong>BUT WHAT IS SELF-CARE?<\/strong><\/p><p>Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our Mental Health, Emotional Health, &amp; Physical Health.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-027a806 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"027a806\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c2d56b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0c2d56b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"580\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-pillars-of-Self-Care.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-pillars-of-Self-Care.png 940w, https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-pillars-of-Self-Care-300x76.png 300w, https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/3-pillars-of-Self-Care-768x195.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37205c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"37205c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d073fc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d073fc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Self-care helps us to maintain a HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH OURSELVES and others.<\/p><p>Self-care boosts our SELF-ESTEEM and CONFIDENCE and fills us with joy, positive feelings and optimistic thoughts.<\/p><p>Self-care isn\u2019t a self-interested act either. It is not only about considering our needs.<\/p><p>Self-care is rather about knowing what we need to do in order to take care of ourselves because then, and only then, are we are able to take care of others as well.<\/p><p>That is, IF I DON\u2019T TAKE ENOUGH CARE OF MYSELF, I WON\u2019T BE IN THE PLACE TO GIVE TO MY LOVED ONES EITHER.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86df84e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"86df84e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8cc192 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f8cc192\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Stress.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Stress.jpg 900w, https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Stress-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Stress-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a3d8a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"9a3d8a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6146f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6146f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Self-care<\/strong>\u00a0is one of the best ways to MANAGE STRESS.<\/p><p><strong>In a few words, SELF-CARE IS THE KEY TO LIVING\u00a0A BALANCED LIFE!<\/strong><\/p><p>Although it\u2019s a simple concept\u00a0in theory, it\u2019s something we very often overlook.<\/p><p><strong>WHAT IS SELF-CARE NOT?<\/strong><\/p><p>Knowing what self-care IS NOT might be even more important.<\/p><p>Self-care is not something that we force ourselves to do or something we don\u2019t enjoy doing.<\/p><p>\u201c<em>Self-care is something that refuels us, rather than takes from us<\/em>\u201d.\u00a0 Agnes Wainman<\/p><p>Here are a few examples;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03dcc54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03dcc54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<table><tbody><tr><td width=\"308\"><p><strong>SELF-CARE<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p><strong>NOT<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97d9bd3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"97d9bd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<table><tbody><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Accepting help<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Trying to impress people by overextending yourself<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Getting enough rest and relation<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Zoning out in front of the TV all night and then sleeping late<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Dressing in a way that makes you feel good<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Engaging in \u2018retail therapy\u2019 without any regard for your budget<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Allowing yourself an occasional treat like a favorite dessert<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Bingeing or frequent overindulgences of food | stress eating<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Scheduling time for exercise<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Pushing yourself past your limits for appearance sake<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Making time for family and friends<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Going out all the time at the expense of things important to you<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"308\"><p>Setting healthy boundaries with needy family, friends or colleagues<\/p><\/td><td width=\"308\"><p>Retreating from positive relationships | Self isolation<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-952acfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"952acfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>TRUE SELF-CARE ISN&#8217;T SELFISH!<\/strong> It&#8217;s part of leading a happy, healthy life.<\/p><p>But it&#8217;s also not always easy!<\/p><p>IT CAN TAKE REAL, CONSCIOUS, INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO MAKE CHOICES that will actually contribute to your overall wellness, as opposed to just treating the symptoms of stress or daily wear and tear.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?<\/strong><\/p><p>All the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/tips-to-reduce-stress-3145195\">stress relief activities<\/a>\u00a0in the world won&#8217;t help if you aren&#8217;t taking care of yourself.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/meditation-4157199\">Meditation<\/a>\u00a0won&#8217;t do you any good if you aren&#8217;t getting adequate sleep. In fact, when you try to meditate, you might doze off because you aren&#8217;t taking care of your body&#8217;s need for sleep.<\/p><p>Similarly, hitting the gym once in a while won&#8217;t relieve much stress if you&#8217;re only fuelling your body with high-processed junk food.<\/p><p>You need to take care of your BASIC NEEDS first if you want your stress relief activities to be effective!<\/p><p>Unfortunately, many people view self-care as a luxury, rather than a priority.<\/p><p>Consequently, they&#8217;re left feeling overwhelmed, tired, and ill-equipped to handle life&#8217;s inevitable challenges.<\/p><p>It&#8217;s important to <strong>ASSESS HOW YOU&#8217;RE CARING FOR YOURSELF <\/strong>in several different domains so you can ensure you&#8217;re caring for your mind, body, and spirit, by<\/p><p><strong>1. Physical Self-care<\/strong><\/p><p>You need to take care of your body if you want it to run efficiently. Keep in mind that there&#8217;s a strong connection between\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/stress-and-health-3145086\">your body and your mind<\/a>. When your caring for your body, you&#8217;ll think and feel better too.<\/p><p>When it comes to physical self-care, ask yourself the following questions to assess whether there might be some areas you need to improve:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3facc7a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3facc7a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Are you getting adequate sleep?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Is your diet fuelling your body well?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Are you taking charge of your health?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Are you getting enough exercise?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89788c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"89788c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>2. Social Self-care<\/strong><\/p><p>Socialisation is key to self-care. But, often, it&#8217;s hard to make time for friends and it&#8217;s easy to neglect your relationships when life gets busy.<\/p><p>Close connections are important to your well-being. The best way to cultivate and maintain close relationships is to put time and energy into\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/qualities-of-healthy-relationships-2337785\">building your relationships<\/a>\u00a0with others.<\/p><p>There isn&#8217;t a certain number of hours you should devote to your friends or work on your relationships. Everyone has slightly different social needs. The key is to figure out what your social needs are and to build enough time in your schedule to create an optimal social life.<\/p><p>To assess your social self-care, consider:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01184f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"01184f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Are you getting enough face-to-face time with your friends?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>What are you doing to nurture your relationships with friends and family?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac560b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac560b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>3. Mental Self-care<\/strong><\/p><p>The way you think and the things that you&#8217;re filling your mind with greatly influence your psychological well-being.<\/p><p>Mental self-care includes doing things that keep your mind sharp, like puzzles, or learning about a subject that fascinates you. You might find reading books or watching movies that inspire you fuels your mind.<\/p><p>Mental self-care also involves doing things that help you stay mentally healthy. Practicing self-compassion and acceptance, for example, helps you maintain a healthier inner dialogue.<\/p><p>Here are a few questions to consider when you think about your mental self-care:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7a4441 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f7a4441\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Are you making enough time for activities that mentally stimulate you?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Are you doing proactive things to help you stay mentally healthy?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a86819b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a86819b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>4. Spiritual Self-care<\/strong><\/p><p>Research shows that a lifestyle including\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/spirituality-4157198\">religion or spirituality<\/a>\u00a0is generally a healthier lifestyle.<\/p><p>Nurturing your spirit, however, doesn&#8217;t have to involve religion. It can involve anything that helps you develop a deeper sense of meaning, understanding, or connection with the universe.<\/p><p>Whether you enjoy meditation, attending a religious service or praying,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/how-spirituality-can-benefit-mental-and-physical-health-3144807\">spiritual self-care<\/a>\u00a0is important.<\/p><p>As you consider your spiritual life, ask yourself:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-991eed3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"991eed3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>What questions do you ask yourself about your life and experience?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Are you engaging in spiritual practices that you find fulfilling?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee6007f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee6007f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>5. Emotional Self-care<\/strong><\/p><p>It&#8217;s important to have HEALTHY COPING SKILLS to deal with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/embrace-negative-emotions-4158317\">uncomfortable emotions<\/a>, like anger, anxiety, and sadness. Emotional self-care may include activities that help you acknowledge and express your feelings on a regular basis.<\/p><p>Whether you talk to a partner or close friend about how you feel, or you set aside time for leisure activities that help you process your emotions, it&#8217;s important to incorporate emotional self-care into your life.<\/p><p>When assessing your emotional self-care strategies, consider these questions:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a2d11e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6a2d11e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Do you have healthy ways to process your emotions?<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Do you incorporate activities into your life that help you feel recharged?<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20f7e05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"20f7e05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>DEVELOP YOUR SELF-CARE PLAN<\/strong><\/p><p>Self-care isn&#8217;t a one-size-fits-all strategy!<\/p><p>Your self-care plan will need to be customised to your needs.<\/p><p>When you discover that you&#8217;re neglecting a certain aspect of your life, create a plan for change.<\/p><p>You don&#8217;t have to tackle everything all at once. Identify one small step you can take to begin caring for yourself better.<\/p><p>Then, schedule time to focus on your needs. Even when you feel like you don&#8217;t have time to squeeze in one more thing, MAKE SELF-CARE A PRIORITY.<\/p><p>When you&#8217;re caring for all aspects of yourself, you&#8217;ll find that you are able to operate more effectively and efficiently.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2bb90b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b2bb90b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"474\" height=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Be-well.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Be-well.jpg 474w, https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Be-well-300x151.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7530802 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7530802\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/\">Verywell Mind<\/a> is a trusted and compassionate online resource that provides the guidance you need to improve your mental health and find balance.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e559904\" data-id=\"e559904\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29b925f elementor-widget elementor-widget-sidebar\" data-id=\"29b925f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"sidebar.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"widget widget_wp_author_widget\"><div class=\"widget-content\"><h2 class=\"widget-title subheading heading-size-3\">AUTHOR<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-author-widget\">\r\n                    <figure class=\"text-center\">\r\n                        <img alt='' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2ecd8e20b6c122e10f40857e08066c5e?s=180&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2ecd8e20b6c122e10f40857e08066c5e?s=360&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-180 photo' height='180' width='180' loading='lazy'\/>                    <\/figure>\r\n                    <div class=\"post_header_title text-center\">\r\n                        <h6 class=\"blog-title\"><a href=\"#\">Jade Baller<\/a><\/h6>\r\n                        <small>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/small>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                    <p><p>Hi, I\u2019m Jade Baller.<\/p>\n<p>This blog provides news, advice &amp; insights for your personal care.<\/p>\n<p>We hope to share many tips &amp; actions for being the BEST YOU in heart, body &amp; mind.<\/p>\n<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"about-footer\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?author=1\" class=\"more\">READ ARTICLE<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"social-icons list-inline text-right\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n                <\/div>    \r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"widget widget_recent_entries\"><div class=\"widget-content\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"widget-title subheading heading-size-3\">Recent Posts<\/h2>\n\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=623\">The WHO behind the concept of the Blue Fire Centre?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=892\">The concept of the Blue Fire Centre<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=900\">Spring has sprung, the grass iz riz<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=921\">Self-care &#8211; A continual conscious choice!<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=964\">Stress &#038; anxiety &#8211; When life happens<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ccacca8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ccacca8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e29bb6\" data-id=\"2e29bb6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd9e0cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-elementskit-blog-posts\" data-id=\"bd9e0cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"elementskit-blog-posts.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ekit-wid-con\" >        <div id=\"post-items--bd9e0cb\" class=\"row post-items\">\n                    <div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\">\n\n                                    <div class=\"elementskit-post-image-card\">\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-entry-header\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=964\" class=\"elementskit-entry-thumb\">\n                                    <img src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/10_Simple_Ways_to_Relieve_Stress-732x549-thumbnail_0-2-732x549-1.jpg\" alt=\"Stress &#038; anxiety &#8211; When life happens\">\n                                <\/a><!-- .elementskit-entry-thumb END -->\n                                                            \n                            \n                                                    <\/div><!-- .elementskit-entry-header END -->\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-post-body \">\n                            \n                                                                                                                        \n                                        \n                                                                                                <h2 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=964\">\n                            Stress &#038; anxiety &#8211; When life happens                    <\/a>\n                <\/h2>\n                                                                                                                                                                                            <p>Stress &#038; anxiety &#8211; When life happens 2020 is proving to be a non-year and there is no rewind button! For almost all, every plan we had, every budget we made and most of our goals for 2020 have been affected, even derailed, by the worldwide pandemic resulting from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n                                                                                                                                                        <div class=\"btn-wraper\">\n                                    \n                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=964\" class=\"elementskit-btn  whitespace--normal\" >\n                                                                                    Learn more                                         <\/a>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                                                    <\/div><!-- .elementskit-post-body END -->\n                    <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\">\n\n                                    <div class=\"elementskit-post-image-card\">\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-entry-header\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=921\" class=\"elementskit-entry-thumb\">\n                                    <img src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/yoga-classes-clifton-beach-1.jpg\" alt=\"Self-care &#8211; A continual conscious choice!\">\n                                <\/a><!-- .elementskit-entry-thumb END -->\n                                                            \n                            \n                                                    <\/div><!-- .elementskit-entry-header END -->\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-post-body \">\n                            \n                                                                                                                        \n                                        \n                                                                                                <h2 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=921\">\n                            Self-care &#8211; A continual conscious choice!                    <\/a>\n                <\/h2>\n                                                                                                                                                                                            <p>Self-care &#8211; A continual conscious choice! When asked if we take care of ourselves we invariably answer YES, but do we? The term &#8220;self-care&#8221; has been thrown around a lot lately since as it has become en vogue to discuss the nice things you do for yourself in the name [&hellip;]<\/p>\n                                                                                                                                                        <div class=\"btn-wraper\">\n                                    \n                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=921\" class=\"elementskit-btn  whitespace--normal\" >\n                                                                                    Learn more                                         <\/a>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                                                    <\/div><!-- .elementskit-post-body END -->\n                    <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\">\n\n                                    <div class=\"elementskit-post-image-card\">\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-entry-header\">\n                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=900\" class=\"elementskit-entry-thumb\">\n                                    <img src=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Sunscreen.jpg\" alt=\"Spring has sprung, the grass iz riz\">\n                                <\/a><!-- .elementskit-entry-thumb END -->\n                                                            \n                            \n                                                    <\/div><!-- .elementskit-entry-header END -->\n\n                        <div class=\"elementskit-post-body \">\n                            \n                                                                                                                        \n                                        \n                                                                                                <h2 class=\"entry-title\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=900\">\n                            Spring has sprung, the grass iz riz                    <\/a>\n                <\/h2>\n                                                                                                                                                                                            <p>SPRING HAS SPRUNG, THE GRASS IZ RIZ \u00a0Springtime\u00a0is seen as a time of growth,\u00a0renewal, of new life being born, and of the cycle of life once again starting. It is also seen more generally as THE START OF BETTER TIMES. At this time of year we begin to feel less [&hellip;]<\/p>\n                                                                                                                                                        <div class=\"btn-wraper\">\n                                    \n                                                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/?p=900\" class=\"elementskit-btn  whitespace--normal\" >\n                                                                                    Learn more                                         <\/a>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                                                    <\/div><!-- .elementskit-post-body END -->\n                    <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n       <\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Self-care &#8211; A continual conscious choice! When asked if we take care of ourselves we invariably answer YES, but do we? The term &#8220;self-care&#8221; has been thrown around a lot lately since as it has become en vogue to discuss the nice things you do for yourself in the name [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/921"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=921"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/921\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1026,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/921\/revisions\/1026"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluefirebryanston.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}