Tag: Self Care

5 Effective Strategies To Manage Stress As An Entrepreneur.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Radu Florin, Unsplash)

We all know that being an entrepreneur comes with its fair share of exhilarating highs and daunting lows. The constant pressure to innovate, meet deadlines, lead, and overcome obstacles can take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing. 

This is where stress management comes into play. It is important for entrepreneurs to manage their stress, as stress can affect creativity, energy and judgement. If you are an entrepreneur who needs guidance with stress management, read these five effective strategies below: 

Strategy 1: Prioritise Self Care

Self-care is anything you do to take care of yourself – mentally and physically. By taking care of yourself, you promote relaxation. Although relaxation cannot take your stress away entirely, it sure helps. 

Self-care can come in the form of walking around the block, meditating in your garden, taking a warm bath, or even picking up your guitar and pulling some strings. 

To prioritise self-care, you must set up a self-care routine and stick to it; for example, every day after work, set aside an hour for meditation. 

Strategy 2: Delegate And Outsource

As an entrepreneur, you might be used to doing everything independently. It is after all the hard work that got you to the point of owning a business. But you do not have to do everything anymore. 

An overload of work causes an overload of stress, so start delegating and outsourcing tasks – it can be anything from delegating administrative tasks to outsourcing Content Marketing. 

To give you peace of mind, find trustworthy people to handle these tasks for you. Hire the right team members and research and compare outsourcing partners to ensure you have the best. 

Strategy 3: Improve Your Time Management Skills

Time management is a word that often gets entrepreneurs running in the opposite direction. It can seem like an insurmountable task to take on, especially when so many responsibilities come with running a business. 

However, time management is essential for handling your stress. To better your time management skills, create a to-do list, set up a time-blocking system, and prioritise your daily tasks. 

Luckily this is the modern age, so you can use many online time management tools – Trello or Asana are just two of them. So please don’t let stress get the best of you just because your day is filled with tasks; utilise these tools! 

Strategy 4: Develop A Support Network

People need people, no matter their personality. If you are going through a tough time, reach out to your family members, your friends, or even a trusted business partner/employee. 

Talking about how you are feeling is known to reduce stress because it gives you an outlet to vent. 

So leverage the support of those closest to you; you will be surprised at how much better you feel. 

Strategy 5: Adopt Stress Reduction Techniques

Stress reduction techniques are daily practices you can implement to help reduce your stress. Popular stress reduction techniques include deep breathing exercises, visualisation, and journalling. 

Deep breathing exercises can help you relax by focusing on controlled, long breaths that slowly move in and out of your body. Visualisation involves visualising a calming scene or activity, such as a beach or a walk in the park. And journaling your thoughts and feelings can provide an outlet for difficult emotions. 

You can always contact a professional if you’re unsure about these techniques. They have the necessary skills and knowledge to teach you how to effectively use each technique. 

Start innovating, meeting deadlines, leading and overcoming obstacles with a healthy mindset.

By following these five effective stress management strategies, you will be an unstoppable entrepreneur! 

This article was written by a freelance writer,.

How To Navigate Grief With Self Care and Counselling Strategies By Brooke Chaplan.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment
(image: free image)

Grief is a difficult emotion to process, especially when it’s the result of the death of a loved one. It can be overwhelming and can seem never-ending. While it’s impossible to rid yourself of grief completely, there are ways to manage it so that you can start living your life again. Read on to learn more about how self-care strategies and counselling can help you navigate your grief.

Self-Care Strategies for Navigating Grief

One of the best ways to deal with grief is through self-care practices. These are activities that allow you to focus on yourself and give yourself permission to take some time away from your feelings. Here are some tips for engaging in self-care while grieving:

Take time away from work or school

Give yourself permission to step away from your daily obligations and focus on taking care of yourself during this difficult time.

Get outside

Nature is proven to help reduce stress levels, so go for a walk or spend some time outdoors in whatever feels natural (hiking, swimming, etc.).

Spend time with friends or family

Surrounding yourself with people who love and understand what you’re going through can be incredibly helpful during times of grief. Talk openly about your emotions—it may help relieve some of the pain.

Find activities that bring joy

Find activities that bring joy into your life—even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time! Whether it’s reading, painting, listening to music, playing sports, or whatever else makes you happy—give yourself permission to do what brings joy.

Counselling Strategies for Dealing With Grief

Sometimes self-care isn’t enough; everyone needs extra support sometimes, and if that’s true for you, grief counseling may be an option worth considering. Talking through experiences with an outside perspective can help make sense of seemingly senseless situations. Counsellors have been trained in techniques specifically designed to help those dealing with loss manage their emotions in healthy ways. Additionally, counsellors also provide other strategies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is often used as a way to reframe negative thoughts and behaviours associated with grief into more positive ones. This can lead to improved mental health over time for many and provide insight into how best to handle future losses should they occur again. There are other forms of therapy you could try too, so research and find whats best for you.

Grief is an emotion that everyone will experience at some point in their lives—and it doesn’t always come easily or naturally. But by implementing self-care practices such as taking breaks from work or school and finding activities that bring joy into your life, along with seeking professional counselling services if needed, navigating grief becomes less daunting of a task than it may initially seem when faced with a loss of any kind.

Ultimately, no two people will grieve in quite the same way; however, these strategies serve as a starting point for anyone looking for support during this difficult journey we call life.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer from the USA.

Why Self Care Is So Important For Good Mental Health by Brooke Chaplan

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 4 Comments
(image: free image)

Self-care is a buzzword that has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people talking about how important it is to take care of ourselves. But what does self-care really mean? And more importantly, what are the benefits of self-care for mental health? Let’s take a look at why self-care is so important and how it can improve your mental well-being.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. We all need different kinds of self-care depending on our individual needs, but some common examples include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and taking time out to relax. Taking part in activities like these can help us manage stress levels and make us feel better about ourselves overall.

The Benefits of Self-Care for Mental Health

Self-care has many benefits for our mental health and well-being. Taking time out to practice self-care can help reduce stress levels, which can have positive effects on our mood and energy levels. It can also help us gain clarity and perspective on problems we may be facing in life as well as helping us feel more connected to ourselves. Regularly engaging in activities such as yoga or meditation can also help us develop coping skills for dealing with difficult emotions or situations. In addition, taking part in activities that give us pleasure, such as reading a book or going for a walk, can boost our moods and make us feel more positive about ourselves and life in general.

Self-Care Tips For Improved Mental Health

If you want to get started with self-care but aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few tips you can use:

• Take breaks throughout the day – even if it’s just five minutes – to recharge your batteries

• Make time for things you enjoy doing, such as reading a book or listening to music

• Get outside into nature whenever possible

• Connect with friends or family members who make you feel good

• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization

• Eat healthy foods that will nourish your body

• Exercise regularly – this doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym every day! A simple walk around the block will do wonders for your mind and body

• Spend time alone – this could be journaling or simply sitting quietly with yourself

• Be kind to yourself – don’t forget that self-love is one of the best forms of self-care!

• Reaching out and getting psychiatric services also counts as self-care, as you are helping yourself feel better in a professional setting

Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental health and well-being. From eating healthy foods to taking regular breaks throughout the day, there are many simple things we can do every day that will benefit both our minds and bodies.

The key is finding what works best for you personally—what activities bring you joy and make you feel better? By taking some time each day just for yourself—whether it be reading a book or going outside into nature—you will soon start reaping the rewards of self-care!

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer.

How To Let Go Of Hurtful Memories And Live A Happier Life.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 6 Comments
(image: Pexels)

Do you ever feel like your past is holding you back from being happy in the present? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to let go of hurtful memories, especially if they’ve experienced a traumatic event. However, carrying around these negative memories can be incredibly damaging to your mental health and wellbeing. That said, this blog post will discuss how to let go of hurtful memories and lead a happier life!

Acknowledge your hurtful memories

The first step to letting go of hurtful memories is acknowledging them. This may seem like a difficult task, but it’s important to face your demons head-on. Once you’ve acknowledged your hurtful memories, you can begin the process of healing. If you’re not sure how to start this process, consider talking to a therapist or counsellor. They can help you work through your feelings and start the journey to recovery.

Understand that your past does not define you

One of the most important things to remember when trying to let go of hurtful memories is that your past does not define you. Just because you’ve experienced trauma or pain in your life doesn’t mean that’s all there is to you. You are so much more than your hurtful memories! Allow yourself to see the good in yourself and know that you deserve happiness.

Also, don’t forget that your hurtful memories don’t have to control your present or future. Just because something bad happened in your past doesn’t mean it will happen again. You have the power to create a bright future for yourself, no matter what your past may hold.

Focus on the present and build a positive future

Once you’ve acknowledged your hurtful memories and accepted that they don’t define you, it’s time to focus on the present. What makes you happy right now? What are your goals for the future? Start spending your time and energy on things that make you feel good. Fill your life with positivity and watch as your hurtful memories start to fade away.

It’s also important to forgive yourself for what happened in the past. Forgiving yourself doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or downplaying its importance. It simply means letting go of the negative feelings associated with the event and moving forward with your life. Remember, you deserve happiness!

Seek professional help if needed

If you find yourself struggling to let go of hurtful memories, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. There’s no shame in admitting that you need assistance to deal with your past. A therapist or counsellor such as from The Awareness Centre, can help you work through your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms. They can also provide support and guidance as you begin the process of healing.

Letting go of hurtful memories is a difficult but necessary task if you want to lead a happier life. However, by following the tips outlined above, you can start on the path to recovery and begin living the life you deserve!

This article was written by a freelance writer.

Ready To Boost Your Confidence? Check Out This Guide.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 3 Comments

Image Source – Pexels 

When you suffer from low confidence levels, almost every task can seem unachievable. This can have a severe impact on your quality of life, causing you to feel down and miserable at the best of times, so it’s something that you should certainly aim to change in order to enjoy each day to the fullest! Fortunately, this guide contains everything that you need to know to boost your confidence levels like never before, and it couldn’t be simpler to get started today! So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then read on to discover some of the best tips and tricks that you can utilize today to transform the way that you feel about yourself in no time at all. 

Source Some New Clothes 

Is there any better feeling than throwing on a brand new outfit that shows off all of your favourite features? Sourcing some new clothes can be a brilliant way to boost your confidence levels, as wearing a different outfit from your usual comfort zone clothing can help you to feel head and shoulders above your previous self. Stepping outside your comfort zone is where the magic really happens, so spend a day at your favourite shopping mall or online shop and try on/view a variety of different outfits that you love but wouldn’t usually wear. It can be hard to love your body shape and yourself, so take time with this.

You’re bound to find numerous different outfits that you feel more than confident in, especially if you grab those pieces that you wouldn’t usually consider or that you know flatter you! There are so many different places to buy clothing so don’t fret if you don’t have a shopping mall nearby – simply check online and you’ll be able to source countless different shopping platforms filled to the brim with beautiful clothing that you can order for delivery straight to your door! 

Transform Your Smile 

It’s fair to say that your smile is probably one of your most notable features, as it’s a way of greeting someone new, someone you respect or someone you love. Your smile is the first thing that a person is likely to notice about you too, so if you don’t feel confident about your smile, you may choose not to put on a happy expression in any situation.

This can discourage people from wanting to approach you, which will no doubt send your confidence levels even further down, so improving your smile is a sure fire way to feel better about yourself! Invisible braces are one of the easiest and most effective ways to realign your teeth, whereas professional whitening can get rid of discolouration and staining.

No matter what kind of dental treatment that you seek out, make sure you find the best cosmetic dentist to carry out your procedure. You don’t want to risk ruining your smile, so read reviews and check for certifications beforehand.

Practise self love and compassion

Its important to boost your confidence by giving yourself some love too! Work on your mindset, say positive affirmations, learn to love yourself and write a list of your best attributes. Ask friends what nice things they would say about you and keep it in a notebook for those low confidence days! If you find it hard to love yourself or be kind to yourself, reach out to a therapist or coach who can help you to work through confidence and self esteem issues.

This article was written by a freelance writer.

Styling Tips to Boost Your Confidence

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Pexels)

Confidence is a complicated feeling; one that requires a strong sense of self and genuine pride in who you are. Some days, finding the motivation to feel your most confident can be challenging. On days like these, try a few new things to help improve your mental well-being and promote a day filled with self-love and positivity. 

Begin with your outward appearance. On those days where you can find the energy within yourself to feel confident, adopt the mentality of “fake it ‘til you make it.” Dress yourself to look your best. When your appearance is one that you are proud of, the positive inner thoughts are sure to follow. 

For those days when you want to spruce up your look to improve your overall mood, try out a few of these tips for putting together an outfit that promotes self-confidence:

Wear Your Favourite Piece Of Clothing

The best way to put together an outfit that makes you look good and feel good is to pick out one of your favourite, go-to clothing pieces. Something as simple as your favourite pair of comfy underwear is the perfect place to start. In fact, a comfortable foundation like your favourite pair of underwear can help you focus on how you’re feeling mentally rather than physically throughout the day.

The next time you want to create a confidence-building look, take time with each piece you choose, including the little things that you don’t think will matter. Your undergarments not only determine how you feel in your clothes, but they can impact how you look as well. Whether they’re the wrong size, style, or colour can play a role in your overall confidence.

Throw On a Statement Item

Once you’ve solidified your outfit with your favourite basics, try elevating your look with a bold statement item of your choice! If you want, try putting on a fun pair of earrings, wearing a pair of cool shoes you haven’t worn in a while, or simply painting your nails a bright color. Wearing one item that is attention-grabbing is a great way to brighten your own day and may even garner a compliment or two from a friend or stranger. External validation is never necessary, but it sure does help boost your confidence to receive a compliment every now and then!

Try Out A New Style 

Another great way to dress for your own confidence is to try out a new look that you’ve always wanted to. Sometimes you want to try out a unique way of dressing that is quite different from how you usually do, but you just haven’t had the opportunity to do so. If you’re willing to put the effort into looking a little extra put-together on a given day, why not try out that new style you’ve always wanted to wear. For example, if you’re someone who dresses very feminine on a daily basis, but have always wanted to go for a tougher, edgier look, why not seize the opportunity. You may find that you prefer the new style choice over the way you have been dressing for years, thus giving you a confidence boost!

Feeling confident every single day is a challenge all on its own. With so many things to consider when it comes to feeling your best, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start.

For those days that you want a sure-fire way to look and feel your best, simply put together one of your favourite outfits and strut your stuff! When it comes to building your confidence and boosting your mental health, your personal style is a great place to start. 

This article was written by a freelance writer.

Self Care Tools to Better Your Mental Health and Wellness.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 1 Comment

(image: Unsplash)

Looking to improve your mental health today? These 5 resources will help you to develop a healthy self-care regime.

1 . The Blissful Mind 

The Blissful Mind is a self-care blog, here you’ll find a range of useful articles to help you create a structured self-care routine. Catherine is a mindset coach and self-care expert, her goal is to help people achieve a positive outlook, develop a self-care regime, and avoid stress. Using this blog you can learn about the best time management practices to help you make time for what’s important. On the blog, you’ll find a range of different topics, including ‘The Power Of Setting Daily Intentions’, and ‘How To Build A Strong Foundation For Your Inner Life’.

2. Rachael Kable 

Rachael Kable is a mindfulness coach, dedicated to helping people live their best lives. On Rachel’s blog, you’ll find plenty of practical tips for self-care, mindfulness, and improving your mental health. Explore a wide range of articles including ‘Self Care Tips For Busy People’, ‘Simple Bedtime Meditations’, and ‘Ways To Manage Stress’.

3. Sanity & Self

Sanity & Self is a great self-care application, here you can access plenty of activities and tips for self development. Perhaps you’re looking to reduce your anxiety symptoms? You might be looking to recover from a breakup, or boost your self-confidence? Whatever you’re looking to work on Sanity & Self is the perfect toolkit. Using this app you can explore a range of content, themes include sleep, self-love, stress, and more. The app includes both a journal and a mood tracker to help you create a healthy routine.

4. My Possible Self App

My Possible Self is a wonderful app for mental health, there are lots of activities to rewire your thoughts, practice healthy habits and learn new things. The app includes CBT methods and plenty of useful coping strategies. Users can benefit from lots of great features, such as:

  • Visual & Audio Exercises: There are a range of activities to help with sleep, relaxation, and mood.
  • Journaling: Writing in a journal is a great way to write down your emotions and problems. You can use a journal to reflect and problem solve.
  • Motivation: Get all the motivational tips you need to improve your self-care regime.

5. 100% Guilt-Free Self Care 

Looking for an awesome self-care podcast? Then you need 100% Guilt-Free Self Care. Tami is a self-care expert, here to teach you that there’s nothing selfish about the world of self-care. Throughout these episodes, you’ll learn how to fit self-care into a busy lifestyle. You’ll start to understand how you can let go of guilt, and improve your mental wellbeing.

All of these resources can be accessed using a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. For the best results, update your operating system before attempting to access your content. If you’re looking to speed up mac check out the post from MacPaw to improve the performance of your device that will in turn, help your self care.

With the use of these tools, you’ll improve your self-care routine in no time at all. From apps to podcasts there are lots of ways to learn about self-care, to help you look after yourself and your wellbeing.

This article was written by a freelance writer.

Take Care of Yourself with these Tips to help Mental Health.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 1 Comment

Self-care is a term thrown around these days and it’s one that you really have to pay attention to! If you’re going through a tough time or even if you’re not you need to learn how to look after yourself properly. It should never be understated that your self-care has to be a priority for you. 

It can help to know that there are things that you can do to feel far less overwhelmed than you do right now. Taking care of yourself – whether through exercise or through other methods – is vital to your continued health. Being careful about your self-care choices is important, too, as the effect of diet on mental health can be bad for some people. Working out what works for you will take some time, but it will be worth it! With that in mind, here are some ways that you can take care of yourself and ensure that you feel good for a change!

Image Source: Pexels

  1. Treat yourself well. You don’t want to be someone who has nothing to look forward to, so make sure that you are doing something for yourself every single day. Even if it’s something as simple as a face mask while you brush your hair in the morning, make sure that you are doing it so that you can say that you looked after yourself today.
  2. Move your body. Put your headphones on and have a dance party in the house by yourself if you don’t want to get out and run. Consider how much you can feel good just by simply moving your body more than usual. You’ll release a lot of endorphins when you do things this way, and exercise will make you feel good!
  3. Choose to indulge in your passions. Are you excited about painting or do you like to make new clothes? Whatever it is, make time for it! You should give yourself at least 30 minutes every day to do something that you love and you can feel more fulfilled.
  4. Build on your strengths if you’re feeling low. You need to figure out what you are good at and then build on those to feel better about yourself. You could be going through a particularly tough time and you should ask a family member or a friend to help you to figure out what you’re the best at. That way, you can ensure that you have more self knowledge.
  5. Practice being mindful. Whatever it is you need to do to remind yourself of who you are, do it. Practice being in the moment and eat, walk and spend time with others while being mindful. Colouring books are a great way to do that, as they can reduce your stress levels and make you feel focused and resilient. You can meditate, use the Calm app and even just chill out in nature. Take your time here, because you won’t regret the time spent looking after you. It’s all you need to refresh your soul.

This article was written by a freelance writer

April News: Moving to our First Home and Mental Health.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 9 Comments 

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(image: Unsplash)

And so we are coming to the end of another month. This month has been amazing but also so busy. I can’t wait until Rob and I get to go away on holiday somewhere in the UK- we need to book somewhere (hopefully with my Body Shop commission!). My friend suggested Cornwall but who knows! Just somewhere nice to relax, maybe the Cotswolds, Broadstairs, Devon…love the beach and having lazy days in the sun.

Something really exciting has been happening- we exchanged on our first home (!) last week and we will be completing and moving very soon! Everything is really hectic and I need to find time to declutter, sell or gift my excess of books and throw away/give to charity extra items. I have lived at my Mums for the past 8 years and I have a lot of stuff here! We are moving to a flat so I have many things I can’t bring.

Thats the great thing too about my work, is that it is flexible and I can take time out when needed to move and sort everything out and my team are so understanding. But thanks to my amazing customers, its also busy. Sometimes I feel I should escape to a spa and last night I did a home spa with my favourite Coconut products. Ahh bliss, I felt like I was in Barbados!

I find that this type of self care really improves my mental health and relaxation, trying to get enough sleep..

Moving is said to be one of the most stressful life events and I think we will do it gradually. Our families have been storing things for us in Buckinghamshire, Essex and here in North London, so we need to go and collect it all!

I have found that my anxiety is still a bit high at times, but that I am getting there slowly. Its about making sure I don’t overdo it and I reach for support or a therapy session when its needed. Rob is great at supporting me with things too.

(image: Unsplash)

Once we have moved in, I will write another update! Until then I am going to try and stay sane and not drown under a mountain of boxes! All so exciting and I cant wait to unpack our engagement and wedding gifts and use them after nearly 2 years!

Love,

Eleanor

x

Sending Self Care Packages: A Guide to Sending Gifts

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

Source: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/selfcare

When our friends and family are struggling with their mental health, it can be lovely to cheer them up with a self care gift.. Sending a gift through the mail can truly brighten someones day. Thankfully, online services and postal offices are generally very helpful when it comes to sending something. The gift could be treats for them to spoil themselves with such as bath bombs, sheet masks, hand and body creams, some inspirational quotes or books or even something soft to cuddle!


Remember that there will be delays during festive seasons

If you’re trying to send a gift during a festive season such as Christmas then remember that the postal system is probably overloaded with packages and there will be delays. Don’t expect things to arrive on time and always plan ahead.

Think about the delivery date

If its for a birthday or you want to get them their self care package quickly, its always possible it may not arrive on time. Always plan for the worst and make sure you ship the item/s early so that it at least arrives to them. Think of lovely ideas to cheer your friend or family member up!

Buy it online and send it directly

If you have any concerns or problems with sending a self care gift yourself then the easiest way to handle this is to buy the item online and send it directly to someone. For example, you could send flowers through a store instead of buying them at a florist, attempting to keep them safe in a box, and then sending it. A self care idea is to send bright flowers like sunflowers- which are happy and hopeful or others such as roses!

Do: Always package it properly

If your item is fragile then you’re going to need some serious packaging if you want it to arrive in one piece. For ultimate protection, use a very sturdy box with plenty of protective materials inside. To add an extra layer of protection, consider putting the item into a box within another box, if you are packaging it yourself! If online, you wont need to worry.

Make sure its from a reputable company, with good packaging

Make sure any self care gift is packaged correctly and with good, strong materials. It’s great that you’re thinking of reusing some old cardboard boxes for your packaging and padding, but you need to make sure that it’s going to withstand some damage during the shipping process and protects the items within. If from a good trusted company, their packaging should be sturdy enough.

Put a Smile on their face!

Be thoughtful and think of things they will love. I always find that inspirational quote cards, some beautiful flowers or chocolates, bubble bath or something humourous will always cheer people up who are going through a hard time!