2025 Intention: Self-Care
Posted by Kalli Pasqualucci on 10 Jan 2025
You’ve probably heard the phrases ‘Self-Care’, ‘Self-Care Isn’t Selfish’ and ‘Self-Care Sunday’. But what is self-care and how can you be more caring to yourself in this fast-paced modern world that we live in?
The Cambridge Dictionary describes self-care as ‘the practice of caring for yourself when you are ill or to stop yourself from becoming ill’ or ‘the practice of doing activities that you enjoy or that are relaxing, especially to improve or avoid stress’.
Did you know that ‘91% of UK adults experienced high or extreme levels of stress in the past year’? this statistic is from mentalhealth-uk.org‘s Burnout report in 2024, with the 2025 report coming soon. And long term stress in the body can lead to physical and mental illness.
So, how can you destress your life? You may have guessed it. Allocating time, every day if you can, for self-care.
How to incorporate Self-Care into Your Life
You don’t have to commit hours each day or week to self-care. Establishing regular (perhaps daily) times might be all that your body needs to rest and reset. Self-care activities could include:
- Listening to music, singing or dancing
- Reading or writing
- Going for a walk or spending some time outdoors
- Doing some exercise – whether that is hitting the gym or doing a gentle class
- Having a slow bath or shower (not rushing before work or going out)
- Spending time with people who make you feel safe and happy
- Drinking water (I battle with this one, especially on colder days)
- Having an early night, a nap or a slow morning
- Reflecting on what you’re grateful for (perhaps writing it down every day or week)
- Praying or meditating
- Painting, drawing, sewing, knitting, etc
- Turning off your phone… or putting it on Do Not Disturb for a while each day. Not being ‘switched on’ all-day
- Focusing on your breathing
- Eating a balanced meal (or taking supplements or vitamins, if needed)
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but some ideas of how you can bring more self-care into your life in 2025.
I recently heard this analogy and I love it. It’s definitely something that I’m going to keep in mind this year. If there is a problem on a plane, they always tell you to put on your own mask before helping others. And it’s the same with self-care. You have to help yourself in order to help, support and care for the people around you.
Happy caring for yourself,
Kalli x
