<section><h2><h1><strong>Emotional self-care</strong></h1></h2><p><p><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Are you taking care of your emotional wellbeing? Answer these questions to get some tips on how you could improve your emotional self-care. </p><br />Rate how strongly you agree or disagree with the next statements.<p><br /></p></p></section><section><h2><h2><strong>Low emotional self-care</strong></h2></h2><p><p><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr">You might find it hard to put your own needs first. This is often a problem for people who have high demands placed on them at work or in their daily lives. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">By investing in your emotional self-care, you’ll have more energy to face life’s challenges and to support those around you when they need it.</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">How do you invest in your emotional self-care? These activities can help:</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Strengthen the important relationships in your life. Find a hobby in common with your partner, go to an event you enjoy with an old friend, or give your mum a call.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Commit to leaving work on time, every day, and plan your day accordingly.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Create a ‘<a href="https://www.dradamfraser.com/blog-content/2016/11/7/the-third-space" target="_blank">third space</a>’ between work and home where you can go on your after-school commute. Stop off at a local park, take a short walk, or even sit for five minutes in your car in the driveway. While you’re there, reflect on what went well that day, and take a moment to rest and reset so you don’t bring work stress home with you.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Take some time out to reflect on your strengths, the things that motivate you, and the things you’re passionate about. Ask yourself questions like: ‘Am I drawing on my strengths every day?‘ and ‘Am I making time in my life for the things I’m passionate about?’ With this in mind, make a plan to incorporate your strengths and passions into your daily life.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Use a <a href="https://au.reachout.com/tools-and-apps" target="_blank">wellbeing app</a> to keep track of your emotions and what causes them. Use this information to focus on things that cause positive emotions and to reduce those that cause negative emotions.</p><p dir="ltr" role="presentation"> </p></li></ul></p></section><section><h3><h2><h2><strong>Moderate emotional self-care</strong></h2></h2></h3><p><p dir="ltr">It looks like you’ve already started using strategies for your emotional self-care. This is a great first step for your emotional wellbeing.</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">Investing in emotional self-care activities can help you face life’s challenges and support those around you when they need it. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">How do you invest in your emotional self-care? These activities can help:</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p role="presentation" dir="ltr">Use a journal to reflect on your day. Write down three good things you did, three things you’re grateful for, and three things to focus on tomorrow.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p role="presentation" dir="ltr">Invest time in the important relationships in your life. Find a hobby to share with a friend or your partner, go to an event you enjoy with an old friend, or give your mum a call.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p role="presentation" dir="ltr">Build new relationships and connect to your passions by joining a group focused on something you’re interested in, such as sports, the arts, books, or a local issue. </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p role="presentation" dir="ltr">Making your strengths and motivations part of your life is important for emotional self-care. Spend some time reflecting on your strengths and motivations, and introduce them into your daily life.</p></li></ul></p></section><section><h3><h2><strong>High emotional self-care</strong></h2></h3><p><p><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr">Congratulations! It sounds like you understand the importance of emotional self-care and of taking time for yourself. </p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">To push yourself even further, consider some of the following activities:</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Join a group focused on something you’re interested in, such as sports, the arts, books, or a local issue. It’s a good opportunity to be involved in something you’re passionate about and to build new relationships. If you can’t find a group in your area, consider starting one. </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Develop a plan that integrates your strengths into your job. This might involve taking on new responsibilities at work or volunteering to support extracurricular activities. </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Support those around you who might need a little extra help. You could set up a peer-support group at work or a regular catch-up with a friend who might be needing some support.</p></li></ul><p><br /></p></p></section><section><h2><h2>I often spend time with people who are important in my life, such as family and friends.</h2></h2></section><section><h3><h2>I seek out activities that energise me, that I enjoy, or that spark my curiosity.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>I express myself, such as by crying when I’m upset or speaking up on issues that are important to me.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>I recognise my strengths and acknowledge my successes.</h2></h3></section><section><h3><h2>I feel grateful for what I have, more often than I feel disappointed by what I don’t have. </h2></h3></section>