5 perfect ways to maximise #selfcareSunday 

Self-care Sundays are trending for all the right reasons – here’s how to join in.

Well-intentioned but well and truly forgotten during a busy week, self-care deserves its own day.

The #selfcaresunday trend is making it big, reminding us why me-time matters.

New research has found self-care content is booming, with 22.3 billion views on #selfcare content, and 90.2 million views of #selfcaresunday videos.

The benefits of self-care

Whether it’s for hours, minutes or moments, self-care is about just that – caring for your mental and physical self.

The Indigo Project psychotherapist and counsellor Eunice Cheung says with a bit of prioritising and mindfulness, self-care helps us better cope with everyday life.

“By making time for self-care, you’re ensuring you can be the best you can every day at work, at home and in your relationships,” Eunice says.

This trend is putting self-care at the forefront of busy and stressed-out minds – but experts say self-care shouldn’t be exclusive to Sundays.

Charlotte Thaarup, of The Mindfulness Clinic, says daily self-care is easier than it sounds.

“Reflect back on yesterday or the day before, and consider the little moments of reprieve, delight or where you just felt really good,” she says.

“Then fill more of that into your life.”

Find your form of self-care with ICEU

Self-care is subjective, so it pays to choose whichever mode works for you.

Like all complicated things in life, a good acronym can help us understand and make that choice.

“I use the ICEU acronym,” Charlotte says.

“I” is for integrating self-care into each day – so little things like eating well, going for a walk or simple breaks of mindful breathing should be scattered throughout your week.

Next is “C”, for contextualising.

“Self-care varies, so you should be in tune with what you need – whether that’s a run, a bit of sun, a hug, good food or dancing,” Charlotte says.

“E” represents the experience of self-care, and “U” is for the motto that underpins it all.

“Underpin everything with ‘this life matters’,’” Charlotte says.

“Life is not just about pursuing goals, but is about how you travel through life.”

Self-care varies, so you should be in tune with what you need – whether that’s a run, a bit of sun, a hug, good food or dancing.

5 ways to practise #selfcaresunday

Spend time on a hobby

Whether it’s drawing, dancing or teaching your dog a new trick, Eunice recommends finding what makes you feel alive and happy.

“It can be restorative or purposeful with the intention of allowing yourself to excel in something else other than work or studies,” she says.

Journalling

Nothing clears the mind quite like putting pen to paper.

Practise gratitude, get your thoughts out or just write for the sake of it by doing what research says can help regulate emotions and organise thoughts.

“Journaling can be really good, especially if you’re feeling very cluttered in your mind or struggling emotionally,” says The Happiness Hunter founder Fiona Redding.

Move your body

Eunice says as well as for the endorphins, exercise works wonders for your mental wellbeing.

“My favourite self-care activity is boxing, as it clears my mind and allows me to immerse myself completely. It makes me feel alive, strong and confident,” she says.

Get to bed early

Make Sunday night an early one, and you will feel fresh and focused the next morning.

You’ll also avoid joining the 29 per cent of Australians in this study who made work errors due to sleepiness.

Why stop at Sunday? Get a healthy sleep routine going to support your general wellbeing.

“Try to get yourself into a regular routine, irrespective of what you’ve got on for the day,” Headspace App clinical psychologist Mary Spillane says.

Mary says you can also calm your mind by avoiding screens too close to bedtime, or listening to a sleepcast.

Listen to music

Don’t just put it on in the background, really listen.

Take a walk, dance around or listen in the way you enjoy to reap the mood and mindset benefits of your favourite beats.

Music therapy is a thing, and for good reason too, as a 2013 study found that the body releases less of stress hormone cortisol when you’re listening to music.

Besides, it’s no secret that music just makes us feel good.

Written by Hayley Hinze.

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