00:00When was the last time that you put yourself first?
00:03Or said no to someone?
00:05Or imposed boundaries?
00:07Well that's what today is all about.
00:09National Self First Day is an official movement and observance day
00:13reminding people to prioritise themselves, their emotional wellbeing and guilt-free self-care.
00:19Reminding people that it's not selfish to look after themselves.
00:22So I've been walking around Rochester High Street asking people
00:25how do they look after their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing?
00:28We go for a stroll, we go for a walk round the block, which always helps doesn't it?
00:34And I have massage mops a month as well and that is my treat to myself.
00:37Why do you think it's a good idea to put yourself first?
00:40Because you can't serve from an empty cup. You have to fill your cup up don't you?
00:44The job that I do is quite full on. I'm forward facing to a lot of people
00:50so I do sometimes just need some time out and do something like read a book
00:57or just to take my mind away from real life.
01:02I'm literally always working or my brain is always working
01:06and thinking about what do I need to do?
01:10You know, what's the next plan?
01:12What are we, you know, going to do next?
01:14So I don't think I ever actually switch off.
01:16This year is the first year that this behavioural awareness day is being recognised.
01:21Something that therapists say is a huge step forward in battling what they call a toxic culture.
01:26But what kind of things can you do throughout the day to put yourself first?
01:30Well, one mindfulness coach says that it's important to step back often throughout the day
01:34and reflect on how you're feeling.
01:37So it's important to fill our cup, look after ourselves, have those little breaks that are important.
01:45Those breathers, I call them in mindfulness, those breathers, like 30 second one minute breathers
01:50in between a busy day where we can just be ourselves, not thinking about what to do next.
01:58Just simply sit with yourself. We have been made to believe that everything else should come first.
02:06We've never been told or that that's not been the culture to look after yourself.
02:10We've never been taught to look after ourselves. That's important.
02:13We need to break that cultural barrier, that stereotype that's been put on us.
02:18Whether it's setting a boundary, taking a break or simply checking in with yourself,
02:23the message therapists want to emphasise today is to make more time for your own wellbeing.
02:27Nayla Mohamed for KMTV in Rochester.
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