Self care tips… Being busy should never come at the cost of your overall physical and mental well-being. Not taking the time to care for yourself can put you at increased risk for depression, burnout, and anxiety, which can make you less resilient, productive, and happy. If taking a vacation or going on a full-day spa excursion doesn’t fit into your life, there are a few things you can do at home to help promote mental health through self-care. Keep reading to learn more.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the most valuable methods of facilitating mental well-being. The long-term consequences of sleep deprivation can include heart disease, weight gain, depression, a weakened immune system, and dementia. It’s no wonder that sleep-related illness accounts for $16 billion in medical costs per year. If you want to reduce your risk for the aforementioned sleep deprivation consequences, be sure to get enough sleep.
To start, it may be necessary to evaluate your relationship with sleep. Do you view it as a necessity? Do you have a sleep routine? What makes you sleep poorly? Asking yourself these questions can help to identify the route of your sleep issue. For example, if you sleep poorly only when you haven’t exercised, consider making exercise a part of your daily routine. Additionally, try limiting caffeine, alcohol, and late-night snacks. If you suffer from systemic sleep issues, this may be an indicator of a more serious sleep disorder. If this sounds like you, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
Do Something You Love
Doing a hobby or activity you love can break-up your daily routine, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and facilitate relaxation. All too often, people have the tendency to put their passions on life’s “back burner” in favor of more immediate responsibilities — work, chores, errands, etc. That being said, doing something you love each day is a great way to learn new skills, break up daily monotony, stay social, and help keep you motivated.
There are thousands of hobbies out there waiting for you — all you have to do is find them. Many people find volunteering, exercising, arts and crafts, reading, and taking online classes to be highly beneficial for mental health. Consider dedicating a portion of your day (or at least week) to your chosen activity. If time is a concern, consider learning more about maximizing productivity and finding “hidden time” during the day. For many, finding more personal time involves perfecting one’s ability to “say no” to stress-inducing, unnecessary demands. Remember, your well-being is a priority, so make time to do what you love.
At-Home Spa Day
Spending time alone facilitates thoughtfulness, personal reflection, and relaxation. Having an at-home spa day (or evening) can give you the time you need to decompress and reflect on your day/week. With just a few DIY techniques, you can bring the health benefits of an expensive spa to your own home. Start by dimming the lights and preparing some of your favorite spa materials — bubble bath, manicure kit, face mask, etc. You can even prepare in advance by making some of your own spa solutions such as body scrubs, lotions, and hair masks. While it may be tempting to turn on your favorite TV show, try to use this time to unplug from technology (your phone included). While technology is wonderful, there is evidence to suggest that unplugging from devices now and then can be highly beneficial. To break the silence, consider turning on some relaxing music.
Self-care is highly important to your overall mental health. Sleep, hobbies, and taking time for yourself are all highly effective ways to reduce stress and increase personal resilience. Now is the time to make self-care a daily priority.