What is self-care?
Self-care means being mindful of our own needs to improve our own physical, mental and emotional health. Self-care can take many different forms, ranging from making sure we get enough sleep to getting some fresh air for a few minutes. We’ll explain some of the different types of self-care and how they can help you.
Why is self-care important?
Self-care is particularly important when working through the information on this website. This work can be difficult, especially when feeling other strong emotions like anxiety or fear about the future. Making sure we find time for self-care can help us deal with the challenges we face in a positive way.
We also suggest doing this work in a way that feels emotionally and psychologically safe. This might mean involving a trusted family member, friend, or professional, so you don’t feel isolated and have someone to discuss the information with.
Regularly using strategies like breathing techniques, grounding, mindfulness, and self-compassion can help us to cope with difficult emotions, thoughts, and situations.
Self-care is important in helping you move away from risky and illegal behaviour. When people feel happy and content, they are far less likely to offend or re-offend. People often tell us that when they offended, their relationships with themselves and other people are strained. Focusing on self-care can help us to see ourselves in a more positive light and this can help to improve our relationships with others.
