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- FREE Mental Health Micro Guide #9
FREE Mental Health Micro Guide #9
Self-Care is not selfish - it's vital...
Ben Slater
August 31, 2024
Let’s get 1 million people trained by 2035
In this Mental Health Micro guide:
Welcome!
“Look after yourself”
My mum must have said that to me a hundred times.
In my mind it meant:
“Stay out of trouble.”
“Stay safe.”
“Stay away from those rowdy boys.”
But what does it mean to really look after ourselves?
The Question: Self-Care? So what?
Most of us are really good at looking after other people.
Looking after ourselves?
Not so much.
But this 4 minute video describes 4 ways in which it is vital…
(fwd is aiming to have all video content accompanied with a descriptive transcript so that we can benefit from the wisdom and character of all who engage. The descriptive transcript can be found under the video in Youtube.)
The Time-Saver: Self-Care
Save time with this One Click Wonder, all the key resources in one place - just one click away.
Open and save your own pdf version to keep and to share around the office - link under the image.
New this week: QR Code. You can either scan the QR Code or press it like a button to access the video above. Another way to share help and support.
This is part of a series. Interested in versions you can print without emptying the printer cartridge? Or interested in versions with your company logo on? Get in touch.
The Checklist: Self-Care
Four ‘why’s” and their '“how’s”. Choose what suits you.
Here’s a summary from the video above.
How | Why |
|---|---|
Set Boundaries | Protect your time and energy by saying ‘no’ when necessary, which helps prevent burnout |
Establish Routines | Creating daily routines provides stability and control, helping to regulate emotions. |
Practice Mindfulness | Being present in the moment reduces anxiety and increases self-awareness. |
Nurture Social Connections | Maintaining strong relationships offers support, reduces loneliness, and enhances mental health |
It can be hard to put ourselves first
but any version of life without self-care
just isn’t sustainable.
The Pause Portal: Reflection on Self-Care
Ever feel pulled
in two directions at once?
In a traditional first peoples story
two horses are tied together by their tails.
One horse represents life-giving choices.
The other horse represents life-lessening choices.
The two horses can’t be untied
because life-giving and life-lessening choices
are always before us.
All we can do is to choose which horse to feed.
When we focus on feeding
the horse of life-giving choices
it becomes stronger
and can pull more successfully
in that positive direction.
Notice your breathe as you
observe the white horse
feeding on the misty heathland
near Yarner Wood, Devon UK.
How do you need to feed
your horse of life-giving choices?
Taking time for yourself?
Practicing kindness?
Setting healthy boundaries?
These are not weak options
but choices that strengthen
good habits.
The negative habits start to lose their foothold
get dragged along
and the struggle fades away
and you start to make space
for more balance
more ease
and more peace.
Focus on the horse
one more time
and say thank you for a
good choice you’ve made.
Try it and see what difference it makes
(fwd is aiming to have all video content accompanied with a descriptive transcript so that we can benefit from the wisdom and character of all who engage. The descriptive transcript can be found under the video in Youtube.)
Getting involved
Did someone forward this to you?
Jump on board here.
I would love to know what you thought of this Micro Guide.
Or have suggestions for future topics.
I regularly have discussions with people who want particular topics for their staff or volunteers and who want to use the videos and “One Click Wonders” to support their people’s wellbeing.
Join the conversation.
Press the “Get in Touch” button on the website.
That’s all for this week.
Until next week, let’s keep moving fwd…
