Last week, I shared Part One of my brand new series, Sustainable Self-Care Ideas, for Stress Awareness Month.
Given how challenging it can be to stay positive and motivated as an eco-activist (especially with depressing news stories about climate change and comparing ourselves unfairly to other 'perfect' eco-influencers online), I decided to make self-care a priority for this month and set myself weekly challenges to overcome the stress induced from navigating life as an eco-activist.
After overcoming burnout earlier this year (which inevitably led to me taking a much-needed break from posting on Instagram), it felt important to make self-care and mental health the focus of my content upon my return and do what I can to help others who may be feeling the same way.
So if you often like you're coming up short when it comes to making a positive impact as an individual, this series is for you!
Keep on reading to discover my second Sustainable Self-Care tip to help boost your mood, lessen your stress, and improve your mental health this Stress Awareness Month:
Sustainable Self-Care Tip Number 2: Take Time for Yourself
One of the hardest things I've had to overcome from experiencing burnout is prioritising everything but myself: uni work, deadlines, freelance work and basically everything else came first. In the midst of all the chaos, I forgot to also make time for myself to just take a breath!
It's true what they say - if you don't make a conscious decision to take a break, your body will decide for you. So, the one thing I want you to do this week is to simply prioritise yourself and allocate 15 minutes out of your day to unwind and relax.
Whether that be by listening to your fave podcast, reading that book you just can't pull yourself away from, or journaling about your day and writing a gratitude list, take some time to just be (and resist the urge to feel guilty about not being productive!).
Stay tuned for next week's blog post where we'll be sharing Part THREE of our Sustainable Self-Care series - in the meantime, feel free to connect with me over on the @AllThingsGreenn Instagram for weekly positivity whilst you join me in practising sustainable self-care.
You can also let me know your favourite way to unwind - I'm always looking for more ideas!
And remember: looking after yourself and prioritising self-care ultimately helps you to be the *best* eco-warrior you can be! 💚
Extra Resources & Help
If you're struggling to manage your stress and need additional help, check out the National Institutes of Health website for additional resources including helpful practices to manage stress and anxiety.
You can also visit the Mind website for more information, support and treatment on stress and other mental health issues.
At All Things Green, we share simple, eco-friendly tips to help you lead an imperfect sustainable lifestyle.
We believe that ‘small steps are still steps’, and that we can all have a positive impact on the planet - no matter how small.
Join the ATG community today and take that first step towards an imperfect sustainable future by following us on Instagram!
Want to read more? Check out our previous blog posts, bag some fantastic discounts on eco-friendly products, and find out more about our story here on the All Things Green website.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week for Sustainable Self-Care Part THREE!
Naomi 💚