Wellness Hub
The Edit
About Mental Health Week & the Importance of Self Care
Mental Health Week is a reminder that looking after our mental wellbeing deserves the same attention as looking after our physical health. We all have mental health, and just like our bodies, there are times when we feel strong, times when we feel overwhelmed and times when we need extra support.
Life has a way of becoming busy without us noticing. Work deadlines, family commitments, relationships, financial pressures and the constant stream of information from our phones can leave us feeling mentally exhausted before we've even had a chance to slow down.
That is why Mental Health Week is so valuable. It encourages us to pause, check in with ourselves and with the people around us, and have more open conversations about how we're really doing.
While self care is not a substitute for professional mental health support, it can become an important part of looking after your overall wellbeing. Sometimes the smallest daily habits can help us reconnect with ourselves and create moments of calm in otherwise busy lives.
In This Article
What Is Mental Health Week?
Mental Health Week exists to encourage greater awareness, education and understanding around mental health. It reminds us that mental wellbeing is something everyone experiences, regardless of age, background or lifestyle.
One of the most positive changes over recent years has been the growing willingness to talk about mental health more openly. Conversations that once felt uncomfortable are becoming more normal, helping to reduce stigma and making it easier for people to ask for support when they need it.
Mental Health Week is not about pretending everything is okay. It is about recognising that everyone experiences difficult periods and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
It is also an opportunity to think about the everyday habits that support our wellbeing. Looking after yourself does not mean you will never experience stress, anxiety or difficult emotions, but it can help create a stronger foundation for navigating life's challenges.
If you're interested in learning more about the broader conversation around mental wellbeing, you may also enjoy reading our guide to World Mental Health Day.
Why Self Care Matters
Self care has become something of a buzzword, but at its heart it is actually very simple.
It means making choices that support your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Sometimes that might be a relaxing skincare routine or a walk outside. Other times it might be saying no to another commitment because your schedule is already full.
One thing I think we've misunderstood about self care is that it always has to feel luxurious. While face masks, candles and long baths are lovely, self care also looks like booking a doctor's appointment, asking for help, drinking enough water or going to bed instead of answering one more email.
Some seasons of life allow for longer rituals. Others only leave room for five quiet minutes before the day begins. Both are valuable.
If you're looking to refresh your wellness habits, our article on new year, new self-care essentials shares simple ways to build sustainable rituals into everyday life.
1. Check In With Yourself Regularly
One of the easiest habits to overlook is simply asking yourself how you're actually feeling.
Many of us become so focused on looking after everyone else that we rarely stop long enough to notice our own stress levels.
Try asking yourself simple questions throughout the week:
- How is my energy today?
- Have I been feeling more anxious than usual?
- Am I getting enough rest?
- Have I spent any time doing something I enjoy recently?
- What do I need today?
You don't need to judge your answers or immediately solve every problem. The goal is simply to become more aware of how you're feeling.
Journalling can also help if your thoughts feel busy. Even writing a few sentences each evening can create space to process the day before moving on to tomorrow.
2. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
Rest is often one of the first things we sacrifice when life becomes busy.
Many of us have become so used to staying productive that resting can actually make us feel guilty.
The reality is that rest is productive. It allows your mind and body to recover, helping you return to your responsibilities feeling more present and capable.
Rest does not always mean sleeping.
Sometimes it looks like reading a book, switching your phone off for an hour, sitting outside with a cup of tea or enjoying a slow skincare routine without rushing through it.
Try noticing when you're pushing through exhaustion simply because you feel like you should. Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is allow yourself to stop.
3. Set Healthy Boundaries
Boundaries can feel uncomfortable at first, particularly if you're someone who naturally says yes to everything.
However, constantly overcommitting often leaves very little energy for your own wellbeing.
Healthy boundaries might look like:
- Not checking work emails late at night.
- Saying no to plans when you're already feeling overwhelmed.
- Limiting time spent on social media.
- Protecting time for exercise, hobbies or rest.
- Asking family members to share responsibilities at home.
Boundaries are not about shutting people out. They help create enough space to look after yourself alongside everyone else.
4. Move Your Body in a Way You Enjoy
When we talk about movement, it's easy to picture intense workouts or spending hours at the gym. But supporting your mental wellbeing doesn't have to look like that.
Sometimes the most restorative movement is simply taking a walk around your neighbourhood, stretching for ten minutes before work or dancing around the kitchen while dinner is cooking.
Moving your body isn't about burning calories or achieving a personal best every day. It's about reconnecting with yourself and creating a moment where you're present instead of rushing from one task to the next.
On days when motivation feels low, try removing the pressure to exercise perfectly. A short walk, gentle yoga, swimming, gardening or even playing outside with your kids all count as movement.
The best routine is one you genuinely enjoy enough to come back to.
If you already have a favourite ritual, try pairing it with another habit you enjoy. Listen to a podcast while walking, take your coffee outside in the morning or finish your workout with a nourishing skincare routine. Small habits often become much easier to maintain when they feel enjoyable rather than like another item on your to-do list.
5. Stay Connected With People You Trust
One of the hardest things about feeling overwhelmed is that we often withdraw from the people who care about us most.
When life feels busy or stressful, catching up with friends can easily fall to the bottom of the priority list. Yet meaningful connection is one of the simplest ways to remind ourselves that we're not carrying everything alone.
Connection doesn't need to mean organising a big weekend away or filling your calendar with social events.
It could be:
- Calling a friend during your drive home.
- Meeting someone for a coffee.
- Sending a message to check in.
- Having dinner without everyone looking at their phones.
- Planning a quiet afternoon with someone who helps you feel relaxed.
It's also okay to tell someone you're having a difficult week. You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out.
Being vulnerable isn't a burden. Often the people around us appreciate the opportunity to support us, just as we'd want to support them.
Know When to Reach Out for Extra Support
While self care can play an important role in supporting wellbeing, it isn't a replacement for professional help.
If feelings of sadness, anxiety, stress or hopelessness are becoming persistent, affecting your daily life or making it difficult to function, it's important to speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Your GP, psychologist or another mental health professional can help assess what you're experiencing and recommend the most appropriate support for your situation.
Reaching out for help is not a sign that you've failed to look after yourself. It's another form of self care.
There is strength in recognising when you need support, and no one should feel like they have to navigate difficult periods completely alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mental Health Week?
Mental Health Week is an annual awareness campaign that encourages conversations around mental wellbeing, reduces stigma and promotes understanding of mental health.
Why is self care important for mental wellbeing?
Self care supports your overall wellbeing by helping you create healthy habits, manage stress and make time for activities that help you feel balanced. While it isn't a treatment for mental illness, it can form part of a broader approach to looking after yourself.
What are some simple self care ideas?
Simple self care can include going for a walk, reading a book, following a skincare routine, preparing a nourishing meal, journalling, getting enough sleep, practising mindfulness or spending time with people you enjoy.
How do I know if I need more than self care?
If difficult emotions persist for an extended period, begin affecting your relationships, work or daily activities, or you feel unable to cope, it's important to seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Is self care selfish?
Not at all. Looking after your own wellbeing allows you to show up more fully for your work, relationships and responsibilities. Taking care of yourself isn't taking away from others.
How can I start a self care routine?
Start small. Rather than trying to change everything at once, choose one habit you can realistically repeat each day. Consistency is usually far more helpful than creating an elaborate routine that becomes difficult to maintain.
Looking After Yourself Is Worth Prioritising
Mental Health Week reminds us that wellbeing deserves attention every day, not only when life feels difficult.
Looking after yourself doesn't require expensive treatments or hours of free time. Often it's found in the small choices we make consistently. A morning walk, a nourishing meal, a skincare ritual, an honest conversation with a friend or allowing yourself to rest when you need it.
Some days those habits will come easily. Other days they won't, and that's okay too.
The important thing is continuing to check in with yourself and remembering that your mental wellbeing matters just as much as your physical health.
Self care isn't about perfection. It's about creating space to support yourself through every season of life.