My name is Poppy, I’m fifteen, and I live with my parents in Hull. To me, self-care means any intentional activity I do to take care of my mental, emotional, or physical health. It’s a time when I listen to my needs, slow down if I’m feeling overwhelmed, and do things that help me recharge.
Self-care matters a lot to me because it isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. There have been times when I forgot this and fell out of my self-care routine, which affected my mental wellbeing. Self-care helps reduce stress, improve my mood, and lower the risk of burnout.
Here are a few ways I like to practice self-care:
Sleeping in occasionally
On weekends or during time off school, I give myself permission to rest without feeling guilty. This extra rest is important because it helps my body and mind fully recover, especially after stressful times like exams.
Taking a break from screens
One of my hobbies is reading, so when I take breaks from screens, I like to read. This helps my eyes and mind rest since too much screen time can cause eye strain and mental fatigue. Besides reading, I also enjoy going for walks or listening to music to refresh myself.
Talking to a friend or family member
This is one of the most important ways I practice self-care. It reduces my stress and provides reassurance. Since I tend to overthink and worry, speaking to friends or my parents helps me share my concerns instead of keeping them bottled up.
Although these things work for me, they might not work for you. It’s important to keep an open mind and find out what self-care looks like for you.
Self-care doesn’t need to be time-consuming or expensive; it’s about giving yourself what you need and looking after yourself. And it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish – your wellbeing should always be a top priority.
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