If you’re struggling to keep your mental health in check, chances are you’re craving some much-needed self-care.
In the chaos of everyday life, it can be hard to find the time to check in with yourself on a deeper level and take action to self-support.
But all of us need rest and repair. And we can do that with proper self care.
They are your supporters in your happiness and you must take out time for it and here I say 10 self care tips you can engage in for improving your mental health.
What is self care?
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Self-care is the action, the precursor to self-love.
Without carving out the time and intention to do things that actively strengthen, support, and restore your energy, it can be nearly impossible to keep things like stress, depression, and anxiety at bay.
Self-care is about recognizing what you need and then lovingly, respectfully giving it to yourself. It’s about doing things that actively facilitate self-preservation and restore your energy.
Sometimes that might look like rest, and sometimes that looks like hard work. But either way, it’s about embracing habits and practices that make you stronger, happier, and healthier.
If you’re not sure where to start with self-care, want to know more about the science of it, and how it can help you improve your mental and physical health, now is a perfect time!
Why Self-Care is good for mental health
Self-care is a word that gets used quite loosely in modern contexts.
But it’s important to understand that self-care does not equate to self-indulgence. It’s often more about equipping yourself with the tools for surviving and thriving in life than it is about having fun.
But when you take care of yourself in a conscious and loving way, fun is a natural byproduct.
Here’s how self care is good for your mental health:
● Reduces stress and anxiety: When you’re taking time out to assess your needs and support yourself in an intuitive way, it can lower your feelings of stress and anxiety.
● Increases happiness and self-confidence: Doing things like being more financially disciplined, exercising regularly, or meditating are all expressions of self-care. And with enough consistency,
they can make you a more confident and happy person.
● Alleviates depression: While many forms of depression are neurological and require medication or specialized therapy, engaging in self-care can help you see the world in a more hopeful and connection-oriented way.
What self-care practices ultimately does is refill your cup.
Listen to your body, listen to your mind, and do what needs to be done to improve your mental and physical well-being.
10 Self Care tips for Better Mental health
If you’re feeling burned out, tensed, or wracked with anxiety, it’s a clear sign that something needs to
change in your life.
Perhaps you are taking on too many responsibilities, or perhaps you need more to give you a sense of purpose.
Either way, there are a few simple practices you can adopt to lead a life that replenishes your energy rather than takes it away which will help you better your mental health.
And here are some of them.
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1. Eat vibrant, nutrient-dense food
Start with the basics! Food is one of the ultimate ways to show love and appreciation for your body while replenishing energy levels.
Eat well, eat fresh, and eat intuitively.
2. Begin your day with hydration
Water supports healthy circulation, digestion, nutrient absorption, and your body’s detoxification processes, making it one of the best things you could drink first thing in the morning.
Starting your day by hydrating your body is a great way to let it know that it’s time to change gears and get going.
I always begin my day with warm water and drink water mindfully- at least the first cup of water.
I have a water bottle with me and continue to drink water throughout the day to keep myself hydrated and healthy.
3. Move your body
Feeling listless or pent-up inside? Let it out!
There are so many beautiful ways to activate your muscles and get your blood pumping, and all of them come with major health benefits.
Yoga, swimming, hiking, or free-flow dancing in your bedroom will always make you feel better.
I love Pamela Reif for her Dance workouts.
Even this 6 mins stretch from bed is so good.
4. Express yourself
Self-expression and communication are both huge parts of self-care.
This includes creative expression, such as painting, crafting, and writing poetry, as well as practicing healthy communication with the people in your life.
Let the world know how you’re feeling and what you need.
Share intimate conversations with yourself and your loved ones. Take out time to call them and talk to them for no reason.
Doing so will uplift your life and help you connect with the world.
5. Keep a daily journal
Left unacknowledged and unchecked, your emotions can get you down, leaving you feeling fraught and frustrated.
Take steps to process and understand your emotions by journaling every day, even if you spend as little as five minutes writing down a few lines.
Done regularly, journaling can be an effective form of emotional self-care.
Here is how journaling changed my life and if you want to start a daily journaling habit, you can join my free 21 Day Gratitude Challenge where you will receive one journal prompt, one gratitude challenge and one inspiring quote from me every day.
6. Rest
Self-care wouldn’t be complete without a proper night routine and deep rest.
After a busy day of being human (no matter what that looks like to you!), you need at least 7 to 9 hours of good sleep. Don’t skimp!
7. Set and communicate boundaries
Boundaries can feel scary to set, but they will make your life much richer and more manageable.
Self-care means knowing what your limits are and drawing a line when you’ve reached capacity.
Don’t be afraid to say “no”. It makes your “yes-es” so much more meaningful.
8. Romance yourself
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a romantic or sexual partner to experience true romance.
The word romance simply means excitement and mystery associated with love. You can create those sensations on your own, and you should!
A candle-lit rose petal bath—a solo date at your favourite restaurant.
A bottle of wine and a beautiful film. Picnics in the park. These are all acts of self-care and self-love that will help you feel more connected to yourself while activating some important feel-good hormones.
9. Engage in loving physical touch
Physical touch is integral to good mental health, whether it’s with a partner or a solo act.
This kind of intimacy helps your body produce oxytocin (the love hormone) and serotonin, both of which help protect you from stress, anxiety, and depression.
It doesn’t have to be a romantic touch to be effective.
Snuggles with a pet, a friend, or a family member are all powerful ways to nourish your body and soul.
10. Detox from social media
If you regularly find that you’ve wasted hours doing nothing more than scrolling, liking, and sharing
posts, responding to friends’ jokes, and arguing with complete strangers, it might be time to take a
social media detox.
Not everyone can go cold turkey when it comes to taking a break from social media.
If this describes you, start detoxing in small ways.
One way to do this is to remove yourself from your phone for a while by charging it in another room while you read a book, journal, soak in the tub, or practice another form of self-care.
You can also try keeping your phone in your bag rather than on your person, or you can put it on silent.
So these were some ways to practice self care that can help you better your mental health.
Wrapping up Self-Care for Mental Health
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Self-care and self-love are essential for leading a happy, healthy, and balanced life.
Practicing these things can help you feel more confident, less stressed, and more capable of achieving your wildest dreams.
Part of what makes self-care and self-love so incredible is that it really does look different for everyone.
There is always overlap when it comes to looking after your body and mind, but the things you need to thrive are as unique as your thumbprints.
Remember to tune into yourself and set aside time to contemplate what might be missing from your life and what you can do to bring it in.
Let the desire for personal growth and nourishment lead the way. After all, you deserve nothing less and you need you!
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