Make Self-Care a Habit - Self-Care becomes Self-Love and from there Self-Development happens
What is Self-Care?
Self-Care is the conscious and active practice of safe-guarding our own well-being and happiness.
Taking steps to nurture and prioritise our own physical, emotional and mental health.
The first step in the Self-Care process is becoming aware of our own body and recognising signs of stress.
Why do we need it?
Self-care is not a luxury, it is a necessity
for maintaining our overall well-being, physically, mentally and emotionally.
When we make self-care a priority and embark on the journey of mastering it, it is not a selfish act but an act of self-love. Self-care encompasses a range of habits and practices.
What are the benefits of self-care?
Here are Just some of the benefits we can unlock when we master self-care;
• Enhanced mental and emotional well-being
• Increased physical activity
• Improved relationships
• Increased productivity and focus
• Greater self-compassion and personal growth
Why these 10 commandments?
I created the 10 commandments of self-care as a framework to guide my own journey and to help others who feel overwhelmed by where to begin. After years of struggling to prioritise my own well-being, I realised I needed a simple, actionable system—not just theory, but practical steps I could actually follow.
These 10 commandments aren’t random tips; they’re the foundation of what transformed my life when I finally committed to making self-care a habit. They represent the essential practices that helped me move from merely surviving to truly thriving. By creating this framework, I hold myself accountable to practice what I preach, and I hope it gives you a clear path forward too.
Think of these commandments as your roadmap—a way to navigate self-care without feeling lost or like you’re doing it wrong. You don’t have to master all 10 at once. Start with one, build from there, and trust that small, consistent steps will lead to profound change.
So what are the 10 commandments of Self-Care?
1. I will Make Self-Care a habit
Introduce small simple habits one at a time
2. I will Regulate my nervous system
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Deep breathing
- EFT Tapping (Emotional freedom technique)
- Meditation
3. I will Listen to my body
- Nourish your body with food and hydration
- Practice gentle movement such as Qi Gong
4. I will rest without guilt
- Taking a nap
- Epsom salt bath
- Meditating
- Deep breathing
- Journaling
- Affirmations
- Practice gratitude
- Be forgiving
- Tapping
- Get out in nature if you can
- Go to bed earlier and simply lie down with a good book or movie
5. I will create a comforting environment
Get comfy, surround yourself with things that bring you peace and relaxation.
- Declutter my space
- Fleecy blanket/scarf
- Ambient lighting
- Hot water bottle
- Hot bath/footbath/Epsom salts
- Cosy slippers
- Candles
- Aromatherapy
- Relaxing music
- Favourite movie
- Good book
- Cold therapy
- Ice Pack
- Heat/Cold
- Hot/Cold drinks
6. I will advocate for my own needs
Do not hesitate to ask for help, that includes help from friends, family, and healthcare practitioners.
Communicate with your healthcare providers about symptoms, treatment options, medications, medication adjustments, new symptoms, concerns or worries.
Let loved ones know how they can help to support you, that could be helping with errands, meal prep, or just being there to listen. Be your own advocate by allowing others to help when they can.
7. I will be kind to myself
- Find what you love
- Practice gratitude
- Be forgiving, to yourself and others
- Get out in nature if you can
8. I will Create great habits and do the things I love
- Write
- Read
- Journal
- Gentle exercise
- Set a goal
- Affirmations
- Take a couple of minutes upon waking to remember my dreams
- Do something for my future self
9. I will watch my thoughts
- Thoughts can become things, so make them brilliant and wonderful and great
- Re-wire your thinking, think about your thoughts and know you can change them
- Think about what you can do for your future self
- Think about your goals and dreams
- Become aware of your sleeping dreams, usually our sub-conscious is trying to tell us something
- Use affirmations to help programme better thoughts into your subconscious
10. I will do the work, keep practising and Make Self-Care a Habit
- Introduce small Self-Care habits one at a time
- Be consistent
- Start at the beginning again if need be
By following The 10 commandments of Self-Care you will be well on your way to Making Self-Care a habit. Start small and simple, one day at a time. Come back to your body and check-in as often as you can to notice the stress, anxiety, pain, fear, whatever it may be. Regulating the nervous system and Making Self-Care a Habit is key to optimum health and well-being.