‘HEALTHY SELFISHNESS’ IN THE RUN UP TO CHRISTMAS

Why it is important to

Put yourself first

This is significant because if you do not do it, nobody else would. You have the authority to prioritize your time and activities. Never say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when it will inconvenience you.

Setting boundaries

Who said that setting boundaries imply you are selfish? It mainly calls for people to understand you better plus what you want. It is a reminder of what you can conveniently offer others when you can, which helps create enough energy to increase your growth.

 Knowing when to say no

Knowing when to say no helps know how to value yourself more. Through it, you can prioritize yourself, possibly exposing you to different opportunities that may not have come if you said no, instead.

Carving out time for yourself

Carving out time for you is healthy because it can reduce stress and give a better quality of life. Staying away from others with the purpose of minding your business can enhance your mood and mental function. It can also help relax your mind and repair the body. Even your decision-making skills will improve.

Not letting the fear of letting others down stop you from prioritizing yourself.

I always tell my clients to prioritize themselves if they admire a smooth and effective life. It helps offer the best in whatever challenges or opportunities that come on the way. This implies increased productivity, which may be compromised if you put others first because you fear disappointing them.

Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

Nutritionist, Cornell University, MS

I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round. With my work, I have been featured in Vice, Country Living, Harrods magazine, Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Women's Health, and other media outlets.

Barbara is a freelance writer and a sex and relationships adviser at Dimepiece LA and Peaches and Screams. Barbara is involved in various educational initiatives aimed at making sex advice more accessible to everyone and breaking stigmas around sex across various cultural communities. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys trawling through vintage markets in Brick Lane, exploring new places, painting and reading.

Latest from Ask the Expert