Tips For Self Care
What is Self Care?
Self care is any activity that we voluntarily do in order to improve emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. Proper self care can result in reduced anxiety and emotional stability and can be an effective way of releasing stress. Many people partake in acts of self care in order to cope with mental illness.
Tips for Self Care
Know who you are and your limits and plan accordingly. The most important part of self care is knowing that it needs to be done! This means you are able to recognize that you are not doing okay and need to take a second for yourself. You should be able to acknowledge that you are under duress in order to proceed with proper self care.
Maintain basic care. Make sure you are well fed (we all get hangry sometimes, right?) and are getting enough sleep at night. This may sound redundant, however you cannot be emotionally well if you are not physically well either! Your mood can be changed drastically depending on your sleep cycle and diet.
Take the time to get to know yourself. When you are feeling upset, take a second to think about why. Do I get anxiety from these situations regularly? Am I irritable after I do these things? Do I have a high sensitivity? Identifying your own temperament and understanding yourself and your feelings is so important in planning recovery. Often times emotions come before thinking does, so stopping yourself for a second and setting personal limits can be helpful.
Make a list of things that are good for your mental health or things that bring you happiness. When you are feeling down, you can refer to your list and complete something on it. Identifying what you enjoy and making the effort to integrate it into your daily life can be very effective!
Find ways to decompress throughout your day. We often find ourselves drowning in work, school, relationships, family, and what feels like a million other things. While in the midst of your busy day, take a second to relax and use a coping mechanism to calm yourself down so you can proceed with your day. This can be as simple as listening to a song, going on a walk, or doing breathing exercises. Your brain needs those pauses!
Go outside. Studies show that going outside can reduce fatigue which can help in feeling depressed or burnt out. Physical exercise can improve mental health by reducing anxiety and negative feelings. Exercising can also help get your mind off things, and nature can be ridiculously therapeutic.
Take a second to get organized. Many people think that cleaning can be therapeutic, and it is also a plus that having less clutter in your life can lead to a better sense of well-being. Researchers have linked cluttered environments to high stress and lower self control. Organizing not only your space but also your life and schedule can help you feel more on top of things.
Meditate. The ultimate goal of meditation is to bring relaxation and peace, which can aid in removing negative emotions and feelings, especially anxiety. It also is a great way to practice deep breathing and incorporate mindfulness into your daily life.
Journal. Writing out your feelings and emotions can also help you analyze them and bring understanding. Use a journal to write down all the things you need to get off of your chest.
Spend time with family and friends. Sometimes an easy way to destress is taking some time off of whatever you’re doing, and surrounding yourself with people that make you happy. This can be as simple as staying home with a loved one and watching a movie
