Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique defined as a mental state, which is achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. If you’re like me and suffer from anxiety, find yourself overthinking, feeling disconnected from your environment or that your mind is racing, then the practice of mindfulness is bound to help.

Everyone’s definition of what constitutes self-care is different, but it’s definitely not glamorous. It’s self-preservation. Looking after ourselves is a necessity, even if this means we have to fulfil these needs with assistance. By accepting help and supporting our physical health, we are engaging in self-care. Making sure we’re taking our medications on time, making sure we’re ordering our supplies from the pharmacy on time, using pain management strategies to reduce suffering, getting as much sleep as we can, taking time for ourselves, and practising the art of saying no if we feel like we’re taking on too much.

That being said, taking the time to do things that make you feel good inside is just as important as physically managing your health condition. Even the little things can bring the most comfort and joy in difficult times. Such as listening to music, watching a favourite film, wearing new cosy pyjamas or getting someone to paint your nails!

You aren’t weak for asking for help, and you aren’t weak for feeling weakened. In fact, asking for help, acknowledging how you are feeling, and that you need the help is a strength. This goes for both physical and mental health support; because if we don’t ask for help in navigating daily life as a less-abled or disabled individual, then it’s certainly going to be a detriment to you. When we ignore the signs that we are overdoing it, powering through is never the option, as a physical and mental toll will be taken. If you feel like you are struggling with your mental health, please talk to someone. You matter and are worthy of support. As someone who has been hospitalised in the past for a mental health issue, I can say from the bottom of my heart that if I had any advice for my younger self, I would have stressed the importance of reaching out and that there is no shame in suffering from mental illness. You certainly aren’t lesser for having one, so please check out the links below! You can also leave a comment or message me directly via Instagram!

Mental distress is hard, there’s no doubt about that. It can negatively affect our relationship with ourselves, but even when this is the case, we have to talk to ourselves with the same support and consideration that we would show someone we love. So whenever you feel stressed or anxious, have negative thoughts about yourself, or your abilities, practice affirmations.