We all get caught up in the stress of day-to-day life. From taking care of kids to aging parents and everyone in between, it’s too easy to forget about ourselves. Often our mental health is put last before those we love, but not taking care of ourselves can put more stress on every part of our life, including our mental health. So what can we do to help keep ourselves in check? How do we find the balance between the stress of life and practicing good mental health habits?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, self-care plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. To maintain a good balance in our lives, we need to take time to do the things that improve not only our physical health but our mental health as well. This will help us manage stress, lower our risk of illness, and increase our energy. The Institute has put together a list of 8 tips to get started with a good self-care routine.
Exercise Regularly
It is amazing what 30 minutes of physical activity can do to elevate your mood while also improving your health. If you can’t fit in 30 minutes a day, even small 5-10 minutes of dedicated activity can make a big difference. It all adds up!
Stay Hydrated and Eat Regular Meals
We all know that a balanced diet of three healthy meals a day plays a big role in our well-being, but hydration is equally as important to improving our energy and focus throughout the day. Limiting caffeine is also a key component of good health. Next time you reach for a coffee or soft drink, try to replace it with a glass of water instead. You will be amazed at how different you feel!
Put Sleep as a Top Priority
Sleep is essential to good mental health. Practicing good sleep habits can help take you from restless nights to restful sleep. Starting a sleep schedule and sticking to it will help to make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night. Put those phones and tablets away too. The blue light from screens makes it harder to fall asleep. Perhaps you can exchange the electronic device for a book before falling asleep.
Find Relaxing Activities to Do
While physical exercise is important, non-physical activities are too. Mediation, breathing exercises, journaling, reading, coloring, crocheting, and knitting are all types of non-physical activities that can help relieve stress and let your mind relax. Find time each day to just sit and participate in an activity that is relaxing to you and can help you destress.
Goal and Priority Setting
It’s easy to feel like we have too much to do day in and day out. One way to stay on top of all of our tasks is to decide what needs to be done now and what can wait. Being mindful of what we can and cannot accomplish is also equally important. Learning to say “no” to a new task when you feel your plate is already full is okay. At the end of the day try to reflect on all that you have accomplished instead of what you were unable to complete.
Practice Gratitude
What are you grateful for each day? Start a nightly gratitude journal before bed. Write down things that you were grateful for that happened during the day and then remember them throughout the next day when you begin to get stressed. We have so much to be grateful for in our lives. Reflecting on that can help boost our mental health.
Practice Positive Thinking
When we get stressed, negative thoughts easily enter our minds. It’s important to identify these negative thoughts that are often unhelpful and change them into positives. Instead of focusing on what can’t be done, focus on what you can do in a positive way.
Connect
It is important to stay connected with our friends and family. They are the ones who are there to provide emotional support and help when we need it the most. Spend time each day connecting with a friend or family member in some way. Write a note, send a text, or make a call. Connecting with another human is a great way to boost your mental health and practice self-care.
It is important to recognize that mental health looks different for each individual. Whether all eight self-care tips work for you or just a few, it is important to put you and your self-care first. When we take care of our own selves, we can better support those who need us day in and day out.
If you are someone you know is struggling with mental health or having thoughts of suicide, it is important to reach out for help. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. This service is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In life-threatening situations, call 911.