Making self-care a priority this month and beyond

For mindset coach Simoneese Williams, self-care means intentionally and actively engaging in activities that nurture your mind, body and soul; recognising and honouring your own needs; setting healthy boundaries; and prioritising activities that bring joy, peace of mind and re-energises as a result.

It is recommended that we dedicate at least one hour a day to self-maintenance, but how many of us find that time? Fresh on the heels of Self-Care Month, we spoke with Williams about personal care. She tells Lifestyle that, “Just like the white blood cells of the body, I believe that self-care is our first line of defence against sickness of any kind. There is a thought that says ‘Eat right, move right, sleep right, and think right, so that you can feel right.’ And this thought pretty much sums up the importance of self-care.”

Williams’ self-discovery began long before she could identify the important term. As the youngest growing up in her household , she felt her needs were not always prioritised. For this reason, she took it upon herself to create her own happiness. It is something she continues to do to this day. “Over the years, as with many of us, I lost that childhood zeal and so I had to re-learn the importance of setting healthy boundaries and reclaiming agency over my own life,” she pointed out.

One of the ways in which she remains intentional about her approach is by keeping the promises she makes to herself. “We have to start by being intentional about wellness. We tend to single out mental health or physical health and focus on them individually. But everything is connected. A holistic approach to wellness is needed, and I believe that self-care, when done right, provides that holistic approach with a focus on the mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. Building awareness around self-care and its importance at every level is what will make a difference.”

Other factors that she has taken into serious consideration include being mindful of the present, in order to prevent anxiety for the future, while escaping regrets from the past. Accommodations are made and boundaries are not only set, but honoured. “Meditation has also been key for me; specifically, meditating on scriptures. This, along with just taking timeout to sit in silence for a while each day. There is a level of wisdom, revelation and understanding that can only be birthed in silence,” she explained.

She also tries to tap into and unleash what she calls ‘happy chemicals’. Endorphins are released through exercise, so she spends quality time working out. “I need the endorphins and dopamine to fuel me throughout the day. Additionally, I eat as clean as I can. I make sure I prioritise gut-healthy foods. The gut is like the second brain of the body and it produces most of the serotonin in the body which regulates your mood. It also helps with digestion, inflammation and disease prevention, immune function, and a host of other benefits,” she added.

JUGGLING CAREERS

Practising what she preaches in her professional capacity, Williams discovered that persons juggling careers, side hustles, family time and all other facets of life find it difficult to carve out time to balance it all. This results in many suffering from guilt.

“I find that women, especially those who have a family, feel guilty and sometimes selfish for taking time for themselves. They are aware of the importance of taking the time to refuel and replenish themselves, but they just cannot seem to shake the guilt. This is where it becomes important to get help before the rabbit hole gets deeper,” Williams, who owns the Self-Care Bar, shared.

Also, there are those who don’t establish boundaries. But when they do, the struggle begins in prioritising and asserting these boundaries with others. “Conditioning plays a major role against self-care. Most of us grew up seeing our parents and grandparents taking care of everyone else, being on their feet all day, and the work never seemed to end. Then there is the emphasis that is placed on being high achievers, both at home and work. People can get caught up in these expectations and feel the need to put the needs of others first, viewing this as ‘their responsibility’ or the ‘correct’ thing to do,” she said.

Then, she noted that many are haunted by unmet childhood needs. Those expectations go on to measure self-worth associated with accomplishments, wealth or approval from others, “Taking the time out to prioritise our needs and well-being helps us to develop the resilience we need to navigate the complexities of this world. Only then can we achieve a happier and healthier life.”

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com