Radical self-care is about focusing on yourself before worrying about other people. We are often told, “you cannot pour from an empty cup” How about half a cup? With radical self-care, your cup needs to overflow before you start pouring it into other people’s cups.
With typical self-care, you can get all the pampering you want while still conforming to the pressure of caring for others. However, radical self-care is about prioritizing your mental well-being before anything or anyone else. There are a lot of conceptualized self-care practices you will have to unlearn if you are to get into radical self-care.
Radical self-care is here to stay. Looking at what the world today has become, the sooner you embrace it, the easier it will become for you to deal with stress facing you from all the spheres of life.
6 Ways to Practice Radical Self-Care
The definition of self-care has always been reduced to something like taking a bubble bath. This is still a great way to relax and be in your zone. But what next after the bubble bath? In the stressful world, we live in, where life feels like grinding 24/7, you have to go beyond bubble baths, pedicures, and manicures.
Here are great radical self-care tips to keep your mental well-being at its optimum.
#1: Be kind and gentle to yourself
We are faced with daily harshness in life. Sometimes, things get tough, and the only option feels like giving up. An excellent way out is to always speak positive things to yourself. Encourage yourself through daily affirmations.
For example, if your boss constantly puts you down, daily affirmations can significantly boost your day. Stand before a mirror every day and compliment yourself. Write on sticky notes and hang them in places you will see daily. Do not beat yourself too much, especially for things you cannot control.
#2: Practice mindfulness
Take time and be in the present. Let go of the multi-tasking that we seemingly have to do in the current day. Switch off your devices and stay in a quiet place and focus on the moment. Let go of the regrets and worries of the future.
You can achieve mindfulness through meditation or breathing exercises. Mindfulness is great for your mental health, relationships, and even your attitude towards life.
#3: Stay away from social media for some time
The happiness social media gives us is short-lived. People spend hours and hours scrolling down Instagram only to end up unhappy. With everyone making significant strides on social media, it becomes difficult not to compare ourselves to them.
Another great self–care tactic is to have enough restful sleep. How often have you been on social media until late into the night? It can be difficult to disconnect from social media, but your mental wellbeing will appreciate you right back at the end of the day.
Being away from social media will help you:
- Eliminate the fear of missing out;
- Sleep longer and better;
- Curb the pressure that comes after comparing ourselves to others.
For more, read our article Social Media Detox: Effective Tips & Amazing Benefits For Your Mental Health.
#4: Take a sabbatical
Take a long break from your studies or work and focus on yourself. We bumped into a group of mental health enthusiasts who went to Costa Rica for their sabbatical leave. In Costa Rica, they spend all their time in nature and even eat fresh farm produce. Their time out was crowned with the fresh air and serenity of the place.
No, you do not have to go to Costa Rica. But taking a leave and relaxing while focusing on your mental wellness will do things you thought you would never achieve. In your sabbatical, you can choose to follow your passion, travel, or focus on one thing at a time, for instance, your children or talent.
#5: Get quality sleep
We have heard so many people glorifying how little they sleep. It is unfortunate, especially now that this is becoming a norm. Not getting enough sleep is gradually killing you both mentally and physically. If you do not get enough restful sleep, your body will sooner or later force you to take the needed rest.
Not sleeping enough also results in a lot of mental and physical health problems. If you genuinely care about yourself, you will sleep enough to keep health issues at bay. Good quality sleep is also a mood lifter. Keep away all sleep distractions and ensure you sleep at least 8 hours every night.
#6: Let go of all the guilt
In your radical self-care journey, you will experience feelings of guilt. If you have been working or saving money so hard, you will feel you do not deserve all the good things. It is just how people have been conditioned. You deserve a soft and peaceful life for yourself. Go for options that will make your life simpler and worth living.
Do not ignore signs of depression and stress, do all it takes to remove stressors from your life. Start by noting where you learned to put people’s emotions before yourself. Also, note down instances where you prioritize other people at the expense of yourself. Gradually let go of the behavior and ensure you are always on top of your priority list.
The Bottom Line
The goal of radical self-care is to fully replenish you before turning to other people. The good thing about this is that while you replenish yourself, you are not depleting anybody’s resources. You, therefore, can go on and on with your radical self-care without affecting anyone around you.
This practice is good for truly replenishing your soul, body, and mind. With radical self-care, you protect your overall well-being. The good thing is that the effects are long-lasting and will always reflect your daily mental health and happiness.
Your mental health matters the most, and not just on special days when you decide to treat yourself well. Go strong on radical self-care and ensure your mental well-being is always at its optimal.