We were taught to be kind to others, but when was the last time you were kind to yourself? As women, we often put others first, be it our kids, husbands or parents. At the expense of our own mental and emotional health, we selflessly sacrifice our time and energy to meet the needs of our loved ones and put our own well-being on the back burner. If you find yourself nodding to this, then it’s time to prioritise some necessary acts of self-care.
“Showing yourself a lack of compassion is not good for your mental and emotional well-being,” says happiness coach and author of The Kindness Pack, Domonique Bertolucci. “Self-compassion is about giving yourself the same love and respect you offer the other important people in your life.”
Not only will you realise you deserve this extra kindness, but self-compassion can help to reduce stress, build confidence and put you on the path to a happier and healthier lifestyle. Here are five simple but necessary acts of self-care to start practicing now: