Self-Care Is More Than Bubble Baths

When you hear the words self-care, what springs to mind?

A long bath? A massage? A weekend away?

Whilst those things are lovely and have fabulous benefits, real self-care is often much less glamorous. It's the things we do consistently to look after ourselves, even when we don't particularly feel like it.

🚶🏻‍➡️Going for a walk.

🏋🏻‍♀️Doing a strength workout.

🧘🏻‍♀️Rolling out your yoga mat.

😴Going to bed a little earlier.

🆘Asking for help when you need it.

😧Taking a moment to notice what's going on in your head.

The older I get, the more I realise that the benefits of true self-care aren't about looking good, they're about functioning well.

We spend so much time focusing on the things we can see. We worry about wrinkles, weight gain, body shape and whether our jeans still fit. I'm not saying this isn't something we should never think about, but is it the biggest issue?

How often do we think about the things we can't see?

👉🏻Our bones quietly supporting us every day... until they don't.

👉🏻Our muscles helping us stay strong and independent... until they don't.

👉🏻Our nervous system coordinating every movement we make... until it fails.

👉🏻Our brain constantly adapting, learning and creating the pathways that influence our thoughts, habits and behaviours... until it's dysregulated and we can no longer cope with life.

These are surely the things that will matter most as we move through midlife and beyond.

Your body and mind aren't separate. They work together every second of every day.

When we're stressed, overwhelmed or anxious, we often feel it physically. Tight shoulders. Poor sleep. Headaches. Fatigue. Low motivation. Disease.

But when we move our bodies, we often feel the benefits mentally too. We feel calmer. More positive. More capable. More resilient.

This is one of the reasons I'm such a huge believer in yoga and strength training. Together they help build the physical foundations for future health whilst also creating space to release tension, manage stress and feel more connected to ourselves.

Self-care isn't selfish.

It's not a luxury.

It's one of the most important investments you'll ever make.

Because the choices you make today are shaping the future version of you.

The question is: what is 'Future You' asking for right now?

I'm quite sure it isn't more material stuff or pressure to look a certain way. But it could certainly be focused on building the best version of yourself so that you move forward feeling stronger, happier, more emotionally balanced and stable in later life.

These are things we can't just buy. They take effort, but the rewards are endless. Maybe it could be:

More movement?

More rest?

More strength?

More time with friends?

Whatever the answer, you don't have to do everything at once. Small actions really do add up.

And if you're reading this thinking, "That all sounds great, but I don't know where to start," I've got you covered.

The Summer Fit Challenge could be your first step. It Starts on 22nd June!

If you've been meaning to move more, build strength, improve your fitness or simply establish healthier habits, the Summer Fit Challenge is the perfect place to begin. It's COMPLETELY FREE!

5 days

15 minutes/day

No equipment

Videos are sent straight to your inbox. You just need to sign up!

Future health isn't built in a day.

It's built one small step at a time. We just need to stay consistent.

Sign up now: https://www.josteelewellness.com/pages/membership/summerfitchallenge