THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE

Self-care means anything someone does for their physical, mental or spiritual health. It could mean exercising or meditating every day. Eating a healthy diet. Setting boundaries on mobile phone use on weekends. Taking all your annual leave. Seeing a clinician regularly if you have a mental illness. In other words, the ways you look after yourself.

Research shows that by placing a high priority on self-care, you will not only feel better, you will work better.

Dr. Sam Harvey, chief psychiatrist at Australia’s Black Dog Institute, says there are clear mental health benefits from even low levels of exercise. And a walk is just as good as a heavy workout in the gym for your mental health, Harvey says in the following short video.

In this blog, Dean Yates, Reuters’ former head of mental health and wellbeing strategy, writes about the healing power of getting into nature.

Janet Roberts, Reuters’ data editor, writes here about a group of journalists in New York who have eased their stress levels and boosted their creativity by attending regular drawing classes. They also have a lot of fun.

Jean Tait, Reuters executive assistant, New York, uses this self-care tactic: “Don’t nod and smile unless you agree and are happy. I don’t remember where I heard that, but it was a revelation. People, especially women, have a difficult time saying no. Learning how to say no helps you keep important boundaries and avoid burning out.”