As disability support workers, our main goal is to ensure our community feels confident, valued, and cared for. A critical part of that care is to support people to look and feel their best. If you’ve experienced this feeling, you’ll know the benefits of this approach are many; boosting self-esteem and contributing to overall wellbeing.
Here’s a quick dive into why it’s essential to look and feel your best, and five simple steps to achieve this.
Why Looking and Feeling Your Best Matters
When we’re looking good, we inherently feel good. It boosts our confidence, makes us feel more comfortable in our skin, and adds a zing to our day. Feeling good about ourselves can also lead to improved social interactions and mental health.
5 Ways to Look and Feel Your Best
1. Maintain Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is fundamental to feeling fresh and looking neat. It involves daily activities like brushing teeth, bathing, grooming hair, neat nails, regular wound care etc. Your VIVA team of Support Workers and Community Nurses are here to assist in all these tasks so you’re fresh and feeling good.
2. Dress in a way that makes you feel good
Wearing clothes that are comfortable, fit well, and reflect personal style makes a significant difference in our appearance and self-esteem. Your VIVA team will assist you in choosing your clothes and getting dressed in respectful ways that promote independence and boost your confidence.
3. Engage in Physical Activity
Unless your medical advisers disagree, activity is usually vital for both physical and mental health. Whether it’s a turn around a park, seated exercises, yoga, or adapted sports, regular physical activity promotes overall health, improves mood, and enhances body image. Ask your VIVA Team to work with you to achieve the best physical and mental outcomes through a customised activity plan.
4. Healthy Eating
Nutritious, balanced meals contribute to better physical health, healthier skin, and hair, and a more energetic feeling. Your VIVA Team can assist in preparing meals or making healthier food choices, taking your individual likes, dislikes and circumstances into account.
5. Positive Affirmations and Mindfulness
Hey, we all have bad days and VIVA understands that! But an overall positive mindset is crucial to feeling good, so surround yourself with helpful, worthwhile and genuine people. e support the regular practice of positive affirmations – reinforcing self-love, worth, and capabilities – because this can significantly improve self-perception. We’ll help you to explore mindfulness exercises, like focused breathing or enjoying nature, help to calm the mind, promote relaxation and contribute to overall wellbeing.
Be your best ‘you’!
Remember, looking and feeling one’s best is a personal and individual experience. It’s not about adhering to societal beauty standards or comparing oneself to others. It’s about embracing who you are, celebrating it, and taking care of yourself in a way that makes you feel positive about yourself.
At VIVA Mutual, we invest our time and care into meeting individuals’ needs and preferences, and in this way, we know we can significantly enhance your quality of life and self-confidence. Because we believe that everyone deserves to look in the mirror and love who they see.