Looking After Yourself is Hard Work

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of self-care, including physical exercise and mental health practices, as an essential part of daily life.

Abstract

The article "Looking After Yourself is Hard Work" acknowledges the difficulty of prioritizing self-care amidst the demands of work and family life. It stresses that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining mental health, suggesting that neglecting personal well-being can have adverse effects. The author shares personal experiences, such as the benefits of jogging and writing, and the value of counseling, to illustrate the practical steps one can take to look after oneself. The article encourages the development of consistent habits and routines for self-care, highlighting that while it may be challenging, the effort is crucial for long-term well-being.

Opinions

The author believes that self-care, although sometimes tedious, is non-negotiable for maintaining mental health.
Engaging in activities like jogging, despite not being initially appealing, is recognized as beneficial for the author's mental health.
The author suggests that self-care activities should be personalized; what works for one person may not work for another.
Counseling is highly recommended as a form of self-care, not just in times of crisis but as a regular practice for anyone.
The article conveys that taking a day off from self-care routines is acceptable, but prolonged breaks can make it harder to resume these beneficial habits.
The author's opinion is clear that consistent effort in self-care is worthwhile and that living well is contingent upon maintaining one's well-being.

But there’s no alternative

After an exhausting day of work, whether it’s slogging away at the office or looking after the kids, it’s easy to flop on the couch and tune out. Doing whatever it is that you need to do to look after yourself seems unimportant. It can wait, right?

The problem is, it will only wait so long. Looking after yourself isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity. I know that if I stop jogging or give up on writing, my mental health starts to suffer. There are several practical, little things that I have to keep up with.

What works for me, might not work for you. I was secretly hoping that jogging wouldn’t be one of the tools required to look after myself. No one really enjoys sweating profusely and cramping up, do they? But there’s no denying that I always feel better after. So, I’ve worked hard to make it part of my routine.

As well as the practical stuff, I’ve learnt that looking after yourself, also means thinking things through. If you like to journal, do that. If you need to talk to somebody, make sure you do.

I had counseling for a while and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Being able to talk and have somebody simply listen is something that most people would no doubt benefit from. You don’t have to be at breaking point to see a counselor. It’s for anyone at anytime in their life.

Taking care of yourself demands consistent effort. It’s something you’ll have to do your entire life. So, getting into habits and a good routine now, is well worth while. The second you feel anything is ‘off’ make sure you spend extra time figuring it out.

Just like jogging is for me, looking after your mental health is always going to be somewhat painful. They’ll be days, many days, when you just can’t be bothered running or writing or doing whatever it is you have to do. Fine, take a day off, but don’t take two. Don’t take a week. It’ll be harder to return to it.

Look after yourself. There’s simply no other choice. You only live once. So, live well.