St-annes based counsellor gives tips on self care amid Covid-19

Mum-of-two Vicky, 53, says: “When we disregard our self-care, we can repeatedly find ourselves heading towards burnout, where we feel exhausted, stressed, and overwhelmed.

“We can often find we have an inability to say no to others’ demands, in the workplace, with family and with friends and others around us, but by doing so, we are actually saying no, to our own needs.

“As soon as we start to take time for ourselves to meet our own needs, we become more resilient and able to handle life’s stresses much more effectively.

“We feel revitalised inside and out and feel better about ourselves and less resentful of others.

“We begin to have a deeper value of who we are and feel calmer and more empowered.

“Through this, we then find we have more energy to invest not only in ourselves, but also in those we care about.

“I spent years neglecting mine and as a result, I often felt low, drained, and completely crushed, especially when life threw extra obstacles and challenges in my way.

“I felt utterly depleted with the stresses of everyday life, but the concept of putting myself first, felt utterly self-indulgent and to be honest, a little narcissistic.

“I had two beautiful children to take of, they were my world and I wanted to put everything I had, into them.

“But the truth was, my lack of focus on myself, meant that I felt stressed, worn-out, irritable, and completely run down.

“I was just not coping, and felt I was failing as a mum.

“These episodes of stress and burnout led me to experience depression.

“In order to begin recovery from this, I was forced down the route of self-care. I had no other choice and so as my children were growing and developing, so was I.

“I learnt that by looking after myself and making time for me, in fact made me a better and more patient parent and a much more cheerful person.

“I started to move myself up my list of priorities and really consider my own needs.

“I took time out to invest in the things I enjoyed outside the pressures of everyday life, and as I did, I was able to successfully manage my stress and depression.

“As I wasn’t discounting myself any longer, I felt more energised, happier and much more in control.

“Furthermore, I changed my priorities too and spent more time playing with my kids and having fun, rather than getting to the bottom of the ironing pile.

“When I did have my off days as we all do, I recognised that it was a sign to take even more time for self-care.

For info www.wellbeing-coachingservice.co.uk or email [email protected] for free self care tips.