Reprogramming the RAS week 14

Posted: 3rd August 2026

Last week we explored creating a vision board and the changes we may need to make to bring that vision to life. In this final piece about reprogramming the filters we look at the world through I thought it would be helpful to offer some reminders about selfcare. If we are not looking after ourselves then we can be too exhausted to take on anything else as what we are dealing with already feels too much. The following tips I hope complement the other pieces and as ever, this is for selfcare and reflection and not a replacement for professional advice.

We need to feel good about and care for ourselves to make the choices which are good for us, also by caring for ourselves, we programme our filters to look for other things and opportunities to support self-care, the following are just a few examples of things to do which can help you care for yourself better, they are shared around various areas of our life.

Physically

• Stay hydrated, especially in warm weather
• Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetable a day, if fresh is too expensive try tinned or frozen
• Learn what a balanced diet means for you and bring that into your routine. The plate in this piece may be of interest https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/food-and-nutrition/eating-well/eatwell-guide-how-to-eat-a-healthy-balanced-diet/
• Practice moderation and be aware of the impact of eating too much sugar, fat also the consumption of alcohol and foods which are overly processed. This piece may be of interest https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/what-are-processed-foods/
• Make your house a home and budget for bills and expenses and if you need help speak to an advisor. This resource may be of interest https://www.snowdropargyll.co.uk/resources/financial-wellbeing-in-times-of-challenge
• Regulate your body temperature when the weather is hot https://www.snowdropargyll.co.uk/resources/sun-safety and cold https://www.snowdropargyll.co.uk/resources/coorie-for-wellbeing
• Find a way to be active that works for you and any health conditions you may have, seek professional advice where needed. https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/keeping-active/

Safety

• Ensure your home is secure https://neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/advice/home-security-advice-uk
• Ensure your home is secure for children and vulnerable adults. You can book a free safety check through the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).This may be of interest too https://capt.org.uk/resource-type/activity-sheets/ also https://www.ageuk.org.uk/hythelymingeashford/about-us/news/7-effective-ways-to-reduce-the-risk-of-falls-at-home2/
• Learn to risk assess situations so you can learn to identify risks and avoid them or manage them.
• Plan ahead, save for a rainy day and avoid money lenders, if you need advice about finances speak to a reputable adviser https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ You may also find it of interest to explore what credit unions have to offer https://www.glasgowcu.com/
• If you do not feel safe speak to someone about this. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

Connection to others

• What do you offer in a connection to someone else and what are you seeking from others in their connection with you?
• If you want to meet new people, try that through shared hobbies or interests
• For others to accept us, we need to accept ourselves and if we need help to do this then seek that help and support.
• Learning to communicate with others and working on our emotional awareness can be helpful in our relationships with others.
• Find things which interest you and also show an interest in what others are interested in can help build connections.
• We are all different, look for what we share in common and be kind and respectful towards yourself and others and be open to sharing new ideas. The resources on this page around relationships and connections may be of interest https://www.snowdropargyll.co.uk/resources

Self esteem

• Be kind to yourself and use a kinder inner voice
• Set realistic goals and do not be afraid to make mistakes we all make mistakes when we are learning something new. Stay safe and focus on the positive changes which achieving your goal will bring.
• It is helpful at times to seek other opinions, however, do not make their approval and opinion more important than your own. Yes, sometimes it is helpful when someone challenges our plans, if this is done because of a genuine desire to see us succeed, not because they want to hold us back or put us down.
• Focus on what you have already done and how you can use that in whatever you want to do next, celebrate your achievements even if only within yourself.
• Appreciate what you have no matter how small, and learn to give and receive compliments/
• Learn to use affirmations.
• These tips on confidence and self-belief may be of interest https://www.snowdropargyll.co.uk/resources
• Learn to accept yourself for who you are and do not get angry at yourself for not being prefect, no one is perfect. Yes we can learn, we can improve, but please start with liking yourself and build from there.

We need to feel good about and care for ourselves to make the choices which are good for us, also by caring for ourselves, we programme our filters to look for other things and opportunities to support self -care. There were just a few examples of things to do which can help you care for yourself better. Deciding which routines, we want to change and why, can lead to healthier habits, be patient, this can take time. However, a small step each day, will build a momentum towards your goals faster than, ‘I will do it…………’’Sometimes if we are not careful, we never get round the making the change and instead programme our RAS to find 101 reasons why that’s okay not to!.

These posts are not suggesting life can’t be challenging at times. We may fall ill, someone we love falls ill, someone we care about dies, we lose our job and 1001 other things which sadly can happen. However, if we only focus on what distresses us, we can miss the opportunities which can lessen that distress, if that matters to us. Reprogramming the RAS to find balance doesn’t mean we won’t ever be upset again, it does mean we maybe suffer less when life challenges do happen and may even find new ways to avoid challenges which can be avoided. This resource booklet offers some ideas on selfcare for managing the challenges on the sea of life https://www.snowdropargyll.co.uk/resources/surviving-the-sea-of-life-booklet

I hope at least one thing shared has been helpful. I know confidence can be a huge issue when we are planning to make changes, so the next series of posts will be around becoming your own confidence architect. Till then, look after yourself and never forget how amazing you are

Hilda

Expires: 2026-09-30