Trinity Therapy

Tag: Self care

  • The Importance of Self Care

    The Importance of Self Care

    Images of a brain, a meditating woman and hand holding the sun with the words Mind, Body and Spirit under each

    The Importance of Self Care 

    Taking care of ourselves can sometimes take a back seat, with constant demands on our attention, energy, and emotions writes Nikki Whitehead. 

    We get so busy with work or family commitments, looking after the needs of others, putting our own needs to one side. Eventually though this can take its toll both physically and mentally.

    When someone experiences depression or anxiety, self care is one of the first things they can drop the ball on: isolating themselves, not getting exercise or fresh air, not eating the right foods, even not being able to shower or brush their teeth, and this can lead to further mental health decline causing a cycle that’s difficult to escape from.

    Prioritising self-care can feel uncomfortable, but it is the foundation for a balanced, fulfilling life. From physical health to emotional wellbeing, here’s why it matters and how to embrace it.

    An outline drawing of a man running

    Exercise and Nutrition

    Physical health is one of the first things we think about when it comes to self-care. Regular exercise— walking, yoga, swimming, or going to the gym—boosts energy, and improves mood. It’s about movement that feels good and fits your lifestyle and your personal abilities.

    Nutrition is equally important. Eating a balanced diet is essential for your body and mind. Hydration, mindful eating, and reducing processed foods can make a significant difference in how you feel day to day.

    By following a good exercise and nutrition routine you can allow yourself a day here and there to have a rest day when needed, or have a treat once or twice a week. Depriving yourself of the good things entirely can make it harder to stick your exercise and diet plans.

    Personal Care

    Self-care also includes how we present ourselves to the world. Taking time to care for your hair, choose clothes that reflect your personality, and use makeup (if you enjoy it) can be empowering. It’s not about vanity—it’s about self-expression and confidence.

    Whether it’s a fresh haircut, a favourite outfit, or a bold lipstick, these choices can uplift your mood and help you feel more connected to yourself. When we feel good about how we look, it often translates into how we carry ourselves and interact with others.

    Socialising and Relationships

    As humans we are wired for connection. Spending time with friends, family, or community groups gives us a sense of belonging and emotional support. Meaningful relationships help us navigate life’s ups and downs, offering laughter, empathy, and perspective.

    Socialising doesn’t have to be constant or draining—it can be as simple as a coffee with a friend, a walk with a neighbour, or a heartfelt phone call. Prioritising relationships that nourish rather than deplete us is a powerful act of self-care.

    An image of a woman sitting cross legged meditating

    Mental Health and Wellbeing

    Mental health is just as important as physical health. Stress, anxiety, and unhelpful thinking styles can impact how we see ourselves and the world around us.

    Counselling offers a safe space to explore these patterns, build resilience, and develop healthier coping strategies. 

    Self-care is not selfish—it’s essential. By nurturing your body, expressing your identity, cultivating relationships, and tending to your mental health, you build a life rooted in self-respect and vitality.

    At Trinity Therapy we provide compassionate, non-judgmental support tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or simply want to understand yourself better, therapy can be a transformative part of your self-care journey. If you’re ready to take the next step, we would be honoured to support you as your counsellor. What area of self-care feels most urgent for you right now?

  • Workplace burnout

    When work becomes too much: Finding your way back from burnout.

    There can be relief from workplace burnout, and counselling is one way that can help you rediscover a healthier balance. When you’re equipped with the right tools and support, you can find calm in a corporate storm, writes Niamh Marriott.

    Working in a corporate role can be incredibly professionally satisfying, personally rewarding, and financially freeing, yet sometimes, it can also feel like an enormous pressure constantly weighing you down. The demands can be so high as the volume of tasks keep growing, and somehow your personal energy feels lower than ever. Self-care routines and good sleep management can fall by the wayside, as you prioritise proving your value to a role you worked so hard to attain, and now desperately want to maintain and progress further with.  

    It’s quite easy to not even notice until it all gets a bit too much – and suddenly you feel like you’re running on empty. Whilst everyone else around you seems to be thriving with ease, you’re finding it harder, tougher, and even overwhelming.

    If you’re reading this and perhaps nodding along, you’re certainly not alone.

    The shocking stats

    A recent survey found that 91% of UK employees said they experienced some form of work-related stress.1 Research by Mental Health UK indicates that one in five UK workers (20%) needed to take time off work in the past year due to poor mental health caused by pressure or stress.2

    In the UK, the number of employees reporting stress or burnout has almost doubled in a year – from 19% in 2022 to 37% in 2023.3 Globally, over three-quarters of employees believe that workplace stress affects their physical health – with headaches, fatigue, and sleep issues being reported as the main symptoms.4

    So, what’s driving this? Are our workloads increasing, is there more of a societal pressure to be constantly available, has the pandemic caused a blurring of boundaries between work and home, or is there a sense that we’re simply expected to cope? Something is going on, and it’s affecting millions of us.

    The constant expectation to be ‘on’ all the time creeps in, and this in turn leads to mounting pressure, and a mental health mentality that can start to resemble a survival mode. 

    Stigma and misconceptions

    It is important to remember that burnout isn’t a personal failure in any way. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, or pathetic, or any other harmful word you may have inadvertently called yourself. It means you’re human. You have limits, emotional needs, and a life outside the spreadsheets, meetings and endless email replies. It’s not that easy to prioritise our personal needs over our work commitments. It’s not taught, and it’s something that takes time to learn. 

    If you’re feeling burned out, I invite you to try a few gentle steps:

    • Firstly, acknowledge the exhaustion, the fatigue, the feeling that you can’t keep up, the sense you’re drowning or wading through mud. Sometimes, naming it can be a first step to removing its power.
    • Then, have a think about your boundaries. Do you have firm limits when work stops? Do you leave work at work, or do you check in with your inbox after dinner, or take a work call on your day off? When do you make time for yourself?
    • Think about telling someone you trust about how you’re feeling. It could be a colleague, a family member, a friend or a counsellor. Sometimes, just saying the words out loud can help transform how you feel about it.
    • Finally, and most importantly, please give yourself permission to rest. It’s not lazy or self-indulgent, it’s vital for recovery. You can’t pour from an empty bucket. Try and schedule in some time for you.

    Why counselling might be right for you

    Person centred counselling is an empathic type of therapy where you take centre stage. The sessions are built around you – your experiences, your story, your needs, and at your pace. You’ll be able to speak freely with a counsellor who won’t judge you but is only there to support you as you find a way forward. With counselling you can start to understand what you actually need, where your boundaries belong, and what a sustainable rhythm might look like for you.

    It’s not about ‘just coping’ or ‘cracking on’, it’s about really looking after yourself, beyond the basics or the superficial demands. Once you start to do that, you really can reset the balance, and not only show up strong for work, but show up for yourself.

    At Trinity Therapy, we’re here to help you do just that – by offering a calm, supportive space where you can slow down, breathe, and start reconnecting with yourself. If this resonates with you, please do get in touch. We’re here to walk alongside you as you find your way back to balance.

    REFERENCES

    1 https://www.drewberryinsurance.co.uk/news/employee-benefits/majority-of-uk-employees-stressed

    2 https://mentalhealth-uk.org/blog/burnout-report-2025-reveals-generational-divide-in-levels-of-stress-and-work-absence/

    3 https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/2024-04-25-number-of-uk-workers-suffering-from-burnout-or-stress-doubles-in-a-year  

    4 https://www.hrstacks.com/workplace-stress-statistics

    * Please note – Trinity Therapy are not responsible for content and accuracy of other websites*