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Self-Care in a Mental Health Moment · Life Lived Better

• 0:09
  Hi there. Welcome to another mental health
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  moment from the Life Live Better podcast.
• 0:13
  This is a place where we take just a couple of moments to care
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  for our minds. I'm Paula, and today I plan to
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  share some simple and practical reminders about self-care.
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  We all could use that, right? Let's start with an important
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  one. self-care is not selfish. You know, I think it's often
• 0:33
  misunderstood as some kind of indulgent option.
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  But in reality, self-care is maintenance.
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  It's just like sleep, hydration, movement.
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  I mean, it is essential for our healthy functioning.
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  Another key factor is self-care is not just relaxation.
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  You know, bubble baths and vacations are lovely, but
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  self-care also includes setting boundaries, saying no, going to
• 1:00
  therapy, managing our stress and and doing things that support
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  long term stability. You know, even when they're not
• 1:08
  particularly fun. Another fact is that self-care
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  looks different for everyone, you know?
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  For one person it might be social connection, and for
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  another person it might be solitude.
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  For some it's exercise, for others it's rest.
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  You know? There's just no universal
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  formula. It's just what genuinely
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  restores and sustains each of us.
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  Another fact is that small actions really do matter.
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  Self-care doesn't have to be dramatic or time consuming.
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  So drinking water, stepping outside for some fresh air or
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  going on a short walk during a break, maybe turning off the
• 1:49
  notifications on your phone or just pausing to take a breath,
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  those are all really valuable forms of self-care.
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  Now, self-care is also preventative.
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  We kind of think about it when we're already exhausted and
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  overwhelmed. But its greatest power lies
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  inconsistency. Regular self-care reduces
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  burnout, it will improve our emotional regulation, and it
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  supports resilience. So we have to do it before we
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  flame out. Another important truth is
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  self-care is not about perfection.
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  You don't need to have this elaborate routine or flawless
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  habits. Imperfect, realistic self-care
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  is more sustainable than these ambitious plans that we
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  sometimes create and they cause us more pressure.
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  So here's something to consider right now.
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  Instead of asking what should I be doing for self-care, try
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  asking what do I need right now? Right now, today you need rest,
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  movement, quiet, support, solitude, connection.
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  Your needs will guide your answer.
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  The Life Live Better podcast. Thank you for joining us for
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  this mental health moment. Until next time, take care of
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  your mind because it's the only one you've got.
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  And don't forget that knowledge leads to a life lived better.