Radical Self-Care – New Age Hippy or New & Necessary?

Radical self-care is being thrown about all over the place of late. I see it in Gabby Bernstein’s posts, Well & Good’s posts, even in my local health food shop and yoga studio.
To me, it makes complete sense, after all, I teach people how to redefine selfishness for themselves for a living, but I realised that it does seem a bit new-agey…what’s wrong with getting 8hrs sleep and going to the gym a couple of times a week pretending to work out like everyone else?!
Radical self-care is a posh term for looking after yourself, but in a much more proactive way than perhaps you have been doing. This isn’t about reacting to stress by taking a yoga class, or popping heartburn tablets because you ate ALL the chocolate cake; this goes deeper.

When was the last time you gave yourself an MOT? Never? The doctor checked you over a few years ago maybe?

This weekend is Valentine’s Day and, being single, I am doing what any self-respecting singleton in London would do: going to a yoga class then buying myself some presents from Victoria’s Secret (thank God they came to the UK!).

What I could have done instead was stayed in, moped about, depressed myself with all the cards and presents I’d seen on the run up and wished I had someone who loved me to send me flowers. Weirdly, I’ve barely even noticed the hype around Valentine’s this year because I’ve instead been focusing on me.

Give yourself an honest assessment of where you are today. Ask yourself where and when you feel stressed, how it affects your body and mind, what gets you upset or angry and what is lying unresolved for you.

It might be that you need some bigger self-care work, like seeing a coach or therapist and working through some issues, but equally it might be that you just need to think as much about yourself as you do about other people.

There are so many things we say we want to do but never get round to doing. I always said, when I have the money I’m going to have a weekly massage. I have the money. I still don’t do it. Why? I let other things take priority. Work, sleep, yoga, friends, family…they all impact but honestly, sometimes it’s just forgetting about yourself and your needs.

So, this weekend of all weekends, whether you’re loved up with someone or loved up with yourself, check and see what your body and mind needs and make a commitment to nourish it – whether that be taking in some culture at a museum, going for a mani-pedi, soaking in a bath with bubbles right to the top or making yourself a delicious meal. Take a pic and instagram it with #radicalselfcare !

Radical self-care: The New Age Hippy’s gift to you.

I’m Emma Brooke. I work with beautiful, intelligent, compassionate and spiritual ladies like you, who have somehow stepped away from their true selves and aren’t entirely sure how to get themselves back again. In my signature program, I take you step by step over an eight week period from overwhelm and mental exhaustion to selfish-centeredness – knowing what you want, what you need and how you can make yourself and those you love feel fulfilled and complete. Instagram   Facebook   Twitter

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