Prioritize yourself: Self-care Tips To Improve Your Mental Health.
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| Photo by Anna Khomutova |
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In this day and age, we spend so much energy and time being engrossed with work, driving to and from work, meeting daily task deadlines, and caring for others. We forget to take care of our needs. Unfortunately, doing this leads to stress and burnout because we are too busy to do the things that make us happy.
What is self care?
Self care is the practise of purposefully doing activities and habits that promote your overall mental health. It is about prioritizing your needs and taking care of your yourself to improve your quality of life.
If we skip the small things and don’t take care of ourselves, it can lead to poor mental health. It’s essential to prioritise our mental health and do self-care activities that improve our wellbeing.
Why is self-care so important?
Self-care isn’t selfish or indulgent; it’s a necessity. Instead of always putting others first, practise self-care. It also involves setting aside time to relax and do what feels good.
As someone who’s gone through a mental health crisis, I’ve learned a few self-care habits over the months.
1. Talk to a professional
Talking to a specialist is self-care since it allows you to open up and talk about issues that concern you. They provide a safe space for you to talk without feeling judged. A therapist can also offer unbiased advice on how to navigate your problems. This is probably the most important step you can take for your mental health.It can be scary to take that first step, but it's definitely a sign of strength.
2. Improve your physical health
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| Photo by Elina Fairytale |
When we think of self-care, we often think about relaxing on the couch, unwinding with a book, and enjoying our coffee. Not exercise. When you've just started exercising, it can be tiring and not feel like self-care.
Self-care and exercise go hand in hand because taking care of your body regularly boosts your mental health, wellness, and longevity. Exercise comes with a lot of benefits, such as improved physical health, stress and anxiety relief, boosting your mood, and being enjoyable when done in a social setting.
If you're an introvert, you can exercise at the comfort of your home. purchasing an indoor cycling bike or a walking pad will be beneficial to you and your health.
3. Have a cup of tea
Apart from the beautiful aromas it comes with, drinking a cup of tea has numerous benefits for your mental health and body. There are different kinds of Teas out there that contain powerful ingredients aimed at reducing anxiety and stress symptoms.
- Chamomile Tea- long term use of chamomile reduces GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) symptoms
- Lemon Balm Tea- known for its calming effects helps with insomnia and anxiety
- Green tea or Matcha- is rich in antioxidants, lowers stress and anxiety
- Ashwagandha - anti inflammatory and lowers anxiety
It's important to remember that tea isn't meant to replace any prescribed medication. For the best advice, you need to contact your doctor.
4. Get some sleep
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| Photo by Vlada Karpovich |
I am totally envious of people who are able to take a nap anytime in their free time. Taking a power nap is actually a fantastic self-care practise because it boosts your mental clarity and productivity.
An adult normally requires about 7 or more hours of good-quality sleep to ensure that their body and mind function properly.
Which means that you have to limit certain things, like screen time, that will hinder you from getting good quality sleep.
5. Practice Mindfulness
6. Enjoy 'me time'
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| Photo by Alesia Kozik |
7. Connect with people
Spending your time with loved ones and building new relationships is good for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
There are different activities you can do together through games, going out, and also enjoying dinner together. Being part of a non-toxic social circle is amazing; it creates a sense of belonging and makes you feel less lonely.
Self-care is not only about having'me time'. You can also get fulfilment by socialising and maintaining strong relationships. Once you establish a strong support system, your coping skills improve, and you live a healthier life.
8. Read a book
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| Photo by George Milton |
One of my favorite things to do in my free time is read a book that relates to what I'm going through. There is nothing like easing into your cozy couch and reading your favourite book to reduce stress.
Personally, I find that reading a book that relates to what you're going through provides comfort and relief. A book lets you know that you're not going through this alone, there are others going through the same thing. for instance reading a book about stress provides insight about what you're going through and how to cope.
9. Enjoy nature
Setting aside some time to go enjoy nature is a wonderful form of self-care because, in general, nature has a calming effect on the brain and is good for your overall mental health.
In a study of about 19 800 participants, that was conducted by Mathew White, it was concluded that people who spent more time (about 120 minutes per week )in greener spaces, surrounding themselves in the natural environment increased their happiness and reduced stress.
So remember to soak in the sun and enjoy nature.
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. The information shared on this blog is based on personal experiences and general knowledge. For personalized advice, please consult a qualified mental health professional. If you're facing severe anxiety or mental health issues, seek professional help. Visit our disclaimer page for more details
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