Mindful Self-Care
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes
We Often Unintentionally Put Ourselves Last
Mindful Self-Care is easy to overlook. Even when we’re pretty good at self-care, it’s easy to get busy and put ourselves on the back burner.
In life’s busyness, mindful self-care often falls to the bottom of the list. Yet these small moments of care are protective, restorative, and essential for long-term wellbeing.
The good news? Many of the best self-care practices are simple, free, and grounded in everyday life.
Why Mindful Self-Care Matters
Mindful self-care helps:
- Improve mood
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Support emotional regulation
- Enhance physical well-being
(Keng et al., 2011; Bratman et al., 2019)
Simple Things That Help
Nature:
Time outdoors reduces stress hormones and improves mood and focus (Bratman et al., 2019). No wilderness required, your garden, a local park, or even the sky will do.
Mindfulness:
Bringing awareness to the present helps calm the nervous system (Keng et al., 2011).
Try: a few slow breaths, noticing sounds around you, or savouring your tea.
Fun and Play:
Laughter and lightheartedness activate reward pathways and enhance well-being.
Hobbies and Creativity:
Engaging in creative or hands-on activities supports emotional and cognitive health.
Learning and Reading:
Exploring new ideas builds cognitive resilience and reduces stress.
Connection:
A meaningful chat with someone supportive can foster emotional regulation (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015).
Pausing:
Sometimes doing nothing is the most healing thing you can do. Give yourself permission to pause.
Start Small, Go Often, Regularly Practice Small Acts of
Self-care doesn’t require big changes. Small, regular, intentional, mindful activities such as walks in nature, quiet pauses, hobbies, and laughter help build resilience and restore balance.
References
- Bratman, G. N. et al. (2019). The impachttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22320203/ts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health.
- Keng, S. L. et al. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review.
Need Support?
If you’d like help making self-care a sustainable part of life, I’m here to help:
Contact Hennessy Clinical Psychology
🔗 David Hennessy on Psychology Today
