The Importance of Practicing Self Care, Explained
Depression in the U.S. has nearly tripled, and being cooped up in our homes during the pandemic didn't help. However, there are many ways that you can help combat depression and improve your overall well-being and mental health.
We always hear it when we go in to see the doctor: take care of your physical health. We need to exercise, we need to eat right, and we need to get regular checkups.
But what about our mental health? Just like our bodies, our minds need exercise, proper nutrition, and regular checkups.
That's where self care comes in.
So today we are going to be talking about self care advice and how you can implement it so you can improve your overall well-being! Let's take a look.
What is Self Care?
Self care is something that we do on purpose in order to take care of our mental, emotional, or physical health. Although it's often thought of as something we only do when we're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, the truth is that self care should be a part of our everyday routine.
Just like brushing your teeth or going for a run, self care should be something that we do regularly to keep ourselves healthy and happy.
There are many different types of self care activities, but some of the most common can be exercise, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, spending time outdoors, practicing meditation or mindfulness, spending time with friends and family ... the list goes on. You get the idea.
Essentially, self care can really be anything that makes you feel good and brings you happiness!
Why Self Care is Important
Self care is important because it helps us to stay mentally and emotionally healthy. When we take the time to nurture ourselves, we're better able to deal with the stresses and challenges of daily life. Think of it as preventative medicine for our minds and hearts.
Just as we see a doctor or a dentist regularly to maintain our physical health, practicing self care can help us maintain our mental and emotional wellbeing.
Self care can also help us to manage difficult emotions like anxiety, depression, and grief in a healthy way. When we're struggling with these kinds of emotions, it's easy to fall into unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol or drug abuse, overeating or undereating, or engaging in risky behaviors.
However, when we make self care a priority, we give ourselves the time and space to process these emotions in a healthy way. Additionally, self care can help us to avoid burnout both at work and in our personal lives.
How To Practice Self Care
There are endless ways to practice self care! The key is to find activities that work for you and make them a part of your daily routine. So let's take a look are some self care tips and how you can implement them into your life every day.
There are three types of self care activities that are essential for our well-being: physical self care, mental self care, and emotional self care.
Physical self care activities are those that nurture our bodies and help us to stay physically healthy. This can include things like exercise, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and seeing a doctor or dentist regularly.
Mental self care activities are those that nurture our minds and help us to stay mentally healthy. This can include things like reading, writing, spending time in nature, practicing meditation or mindfulness, and spending time with friends and family.
Emotional self care activities are those that nurture our emotions and help us to stay emotionally healthy. This can include things like journaling or talking to a therapist.
Self Care Advice and Activities
Get enough sleep: Most adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep per night in order to function at their best during the day. Make sure you're getting enough shut-eye by establishing a bedtime routine and sticking to it as much as possible.
Eat healthy: Fuel your body with nutritious foods that will give you the energy you need to power through your day. When don't eat healthy, it can have a strain on how your body feels. It can make you feel sluggish and self-conscious, and that puts strain on your mental health. Eating healthy can make you feel good physically and mentally.
Exercise More: Not only is exercise good for your physical health, but it's also great for your mental health! Even if you don't have time for a full workout, take some time for a brisk walk around the block or some quick stretching exercises.
Connect with loved ones: Spending time with loved ones helps reduce stress levels and improve our overall moods. Whether you stay in touch via text, social media, or good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation, take some time each day to connect with those you love most.
Find a hobby: Doing things we enjoy helps us to relax and de-stress. Take some time each day to do something you enjoy, whether it's reading, gardening, cooking, or anything else that brings you joy!
Set boundaries: It's important to know when to say "no." When we try to do too much, it can lead to burnout. So learn to set boundaries with your time and energy.
If someone asks you to do something that you really don't have the time or energy for, it's okay to say no.
Take a break: When you're feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and take some time for yourself. This could mean taking a mental health day from work, going on vacation, or just taking a few minutes each day to yourself to relax and recharge. Your mental well-being is more important than anything else going on right now.
These are just a few ideas - there are endless possibilities when it comes to self care! The most important thing is that you find what works for you and makes you happy and feel good.
The Importance of Practicing Self Care
Practicing self care is crucial for maintaining our mental and emotional well-being—and it's not as difficult as it may seem! By making small changes in our everyday routine, we can reap big rewards when it comes to our mental health.
So give yourself the gift of self care today!
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to head over to the rest of our blog where you can find more tips for being your best self!