Mindfulness and Self Care

Self-care doesn’t have to mean spa-days and travelling the world, sometimes it means just taking some time for you and living in the moment.

This section is about small, realistic ways to care for your own wellbeing, even in the middle of a busy or difficult day. You’ll find simple ideas for taking a moment to breathe, feel more grounded, and recharge, because your health matters too. Mindfulness and self-care can help you manage stress, avoid burnout, and reconnect with yourself, one small step at a time.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a way of thinking and focusing that can help you become more aware of your present experiences. Research has shown mindfulness to be helpful in dealing with anxiety. Practicing mindfulness can be as simple as noticing the taste of a mint on your tongue. There are some things you might do every day without even thinking about them, like brushing your teeth in the morning. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the feelings and sensations of these experiences.

You might already be practicing mindfulness without realising it. You don’t need special training or a silent room. Try these simple ways to start:

• Breathe intentionally – take a minute to notice your breath going in and out.
• Ground yourself – focus on what you can see, hear, touch, smell or taste.
• Pause during routine tasks – like when you are washing your hands, making tea, or walking to the post box.
• Name what you’re feeling – “I feel tired.” “I feel rushed.” Not to fix it, just to notice it.
• Let go of judgment – Mindfulness is not about doing it “right.” It’s just about noticing.

View carersuk.org factsheet on mindfulness here

Resources

There are thousands of free online resources including videos (for example on YouTube), Podcasts (such as on Spotify), and books to learn more about Mindfulness. To get started, you may want to try out some of the resources below:

• FreeMindfulness – Watch videos and guidance on meditation
• HSE Mindfulness – View HSE resources on easy self-care and mindfulness tips
• Mindful – Read Mindful’s guide “How to Meditate”
• Insight Timer – Try Insighttimer – the free Mindfulness App