Self-care is increasingly being recognised as an important aspect of maintaining overall physical and mental wellbeing. It is easy to get swept along by the demands of daily life and forget to schedule a little self-care, but taking time to meet your individual health and wellbeing needs is one of the most effective ways to manage stress, maintain healthy relationships and find greater success in life.
Caring for your physical, emotional and mental health is essential for a fulfilling life. Prioritising self-care isn't selfish — it's an investment in yourself that can make you a better partner, parent, friend and coworker. By taking time for yourself, you feel calmer, refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes next!
Top Tip
If child-free time is an issue consider reciprocal childcare: you watch a friend’s children for a couple of hours and they return the favour!
1. Stay in the Moment
Meditation is a powerful stress relieving tool that can easily be incorporated into your weekly self-care regime. At first it may be challenging to switch off your brain, but practising for just five minutes daily can bring calm and order to your life. If you struggle to stay focused, guided meditation apps like Headspace and Calm can help you to relax your body, clear your mind of thoughts and be more aware of sensations and feelings. Meditation is a fantastic self-care tool because it helps manage feelings of depression and anxiety while also cultivating feelings of worthiness and self-appreciation.
2. Spend Time in Nature
'Ullasa' is the Sanskrit word for the joyous feeling evoked by experiencing the natural world. Spending time outside in nature can be a powerful stress reliever and is associated with better mental health, a more positive outlook on life and improved creativity. In Cayman we are blessed to be surrounded by spectacular natural beauty right on our doorstep. So, step outside into the garden and enjoy the birdsong, take a walk along the beach and gaze at the ocean or let your mind wander while hiking the Mastic Trail and wait for the feeling of 'Ullasa' to flow over you. ices and even facials.
3. Try Something New
If you’re feeling down, one of the best things you can do is try something new. Challenge yourself with a new hobby or learn a brand-new skill. Playing a sport is a great way to meet new people and creative activities like painting and pottery help our brains to think in new ways. Doing something you have never done before—no matter how well you do it—can inspire a feeling of great accomplishment which is excellent for your self-esteem and confidence. For a comprehensive list of social clubs, as well as sports and fitness groups, check out www.caymanresident.com.
4. Go to the Salon or Spa
Pamper yourself at the salon or at one of Grand Cayman's health and wellness spas. A massage can be a quick fix for a stressful day, reducing the stress hormone cortisol and increasing serotonin, the body’s natural feel-good hormone. Treatments such as mud wraps, body scrubs and facials offer a respite from the demands of everyday life. Or why not visit the salon for a much-deserved blowdry? Uniko is the only certified eco salon in Cayman and a visit is guaranteed to give you a bounce.
5. Practise Journalling
Studies show that journalling, the act of writing down your thoughts, feelings and aspirations, boosts levels of happiness and wellbeing. Journalling regularly allows you to put your thoughts, worries and anxieties to paper and helps to clear the mind, freeing up mental space for other tasks. The act of transferring your anxieties onto a journal page can make it easier for some people to fall asleep and we all know just how important sleep is for overall health and wellbeing. Journalling is also a good place to start if you want to practise gratitude which can help bring clarity and perspective. You will find lovely notebooks in Next Chapter and Kirk Market.
6. Move Your Body
Exercise causes the brain to release endorphins and dopamine, two powerful feel-good chemicals that boost happiness and reduce anxiety. These chemicals can be so powerful that some people report a feeling of euphoria following exercise, hence the term ‘runner’s high’. According to the NHS, just a 10-minute daily walk is enough to improve mood. Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderately intensive activity every week (30 minutes a day) mixing activities that strengthen muscles, as well as raise the heart rate. Brisk walking, an exercise class, walking up stairs and even heavy gardening such as digging can count towards your daily target. to another world.reat Yourself to a Stay
7. Pick up a Book
Whether you love a spy thriller, fantasy or historical fiction, a good book can transport you to another world. Instead of 'doomscrolling' before bed, put down the phone and pick up a book. It's a great way to relax the mind and drift off to sleep and is a much better use of your time. In each chapter of this magazine, you'll find some fantastic book recommendations. Head to Next Chapter in Camana Bay and choose a title from their vast selection.
8. Focus on Sleep
Improving the quality of your sleep will do wonders for your overall wellbeing. Sleep allows the brain to repair and restore itself so you wake up with greater clarity and improved function. Sleep is also critical for physical and mental health. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a great place to start, as well as switching off electronic devices one to two hours before bedtime. Kiwi and pineapple are said to be great snacks in the hours before bed as they contain sleep inducing properties to help you drift off.
9. Go on a Digital Detox
Social media apps like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp can be a great way to stay connected with friends and get the latest news but overuse is associated with poor mental health, an inability to concentrate and lower levels of happiness. So why not go on a digital detox? Use the Opal app to schedule screen-free time and block access to apps, allowing you to focus on more important areas of your life. You could also try turning your phone display to greyscale which removes all colour from your screen. It is a simple idea but one that tricks the brain, which is attracted to anything bright and eye-catching, and makes your phone much less fun to use.
10. Connect with Friends
Research shows that people with wide social networks and meaningful friendships are happier and have greater levels of life satisfaction. Friendship provides support, comfort, inspiration and companionship and brings meaning to our lives, increasing longevity and protecting against loneliness and poor mental health. Pick up the phone to your bestie, meet an old friend for a coffee, or head to that party to meet new people; the key to happiness really is connecting with others.
11. Learn How to Say 'No'
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is carve out time away from friends and family to invest in yourself. It can feel self-indulgent and guilt-ridden, but your mental health should be your priority. The next time somebody asks you to do something for them just as you are on your way out to a yoga class, or the phone rings as you are about to sit down with a good book, think to yourself: "can I put myself first here?" Give yourself permission to say yes and reap the benefits.
12. Soak in the Bath
Consider incorporating a long bubble bath into your weekly routine. Create your own at-home oasis with candles and essential oils. Bedside Manor has a wide selection of beautifully scented products. If you can find eucalyptus leaves, hang them in your bathroom and enjoy their aromatic fragrance, which is often associated with stress relief. You can add peaceful music or even pour yourself a glass of wine. The most important thing is that you make it all about you! Having a bath can create the calm and serenity needed for a night of deep, restorative sleep.
13. Indulge in a Wellness Experience
Soothe your mind, revitalise your body and nourish your soul at a dedicated wellness retreat. Grab your friends and sign up to one of the many wellness events that take place every year in
Cayman, many of which offer rejuvenating programmes of yoga, beach workouts, wellness workshops and nutritious fare to leave you feeling relaxed and inspired.
The Best Wellness Experiences in the Cayman Islands
Wellness at the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa
The Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa hosts annual wellness events carefully curated to reconnect guests with their inner balance. Guests are treated to a programme of classes, workshops and consultations, combining exercise, nutrition and beauty. Enjoy yoga at sunset, meditation, healing sessions and therapies designed to enhance longevity and boost immunity. The events are perfect for busy parents looking to take part in a transformative weekend that will leave them feeling revived and rejuvenated.
Little Cayman Yoga Retreat
Join Britta Bush of Saucha Conscious Food and Danielle Henry of Gentilcore Yoga for a three-day wellness getaway to Little Cayman. Chef Britta will guide guests on how to prepare detoxifying vegan and raw foods using seasonal ingredients and fermentations that promote health and vitality, as well as homemade natural body treatments like scrubs and glows. Yoga sessions incorporate conscious movement, relaxation and meditation designed to calm the mind, cleanse the body, and initiate rest and recovery. Set against the seclusion and beauty of Little Cayman, Britta and Danielle have created a retreat that will leave you feeling refreshed, recharged and reconnected with your true essence.
Hibiscus Spa at The Westin Grand Cayman
Home to the only oceanfront spa cabana in Grand Cayman, a day at the Hibiscus Spa at The Westin Grand Cayman is the ultimate way to melt away stress and achieve inner peace. Indulge in a heavenly massage accompanied by the sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore, or choose from their skincare experiences, body wraps and manicures all delivered by award-winning spa therapists. A day at the Hibiscus Spa is guaranteed to leave you with a pep in your step.
Botanika Union at The Grand Cayman Marriot Resort
Unwind at Botanika Union spa where you can enjoy the ultimate pampering experience, designed to promote healing inside and out. Their invigorating sea salt scrub stimulates blood and lymph flow and their full-body massage will relieve tension leaving you revitalised and glowing. They use Naturopathica products which draw on the healing power of plants, infusing botanicals with the latest in skin care science to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvinated.
Vida Cayman Islands
Vida Cayman Islands is a luxury boutique hotel in Barker's National Park where you build your own self-care itinerary allowing you to focus on your personal wellness goals and aspirations. Choose from a range of activities to keep your mind and body in optimum shape, including sunset Pilates, functional training sessions, meditation, sound baths, a range of massages and body treatments, facials and reiki. In the evening, wind down with a farm-to-table dining experience by award-winning chef Maureen Cubbon or join a cooking class with a welcome drink, dinner and wine. During your downtime, explore the beauty and solitude of Barker's beach on horseback or grab some binoculars and head out to spot Cayman parrots, belted kingfishers and peregrine falcons.
