In uncertain times like these, it is necessary to make time for your mental health and give your mind the care and attention it deserves. Self-care ensures that you are able to handle any situation that arises in a healthy way. But, while physical health can be managed by exercises and yoga, how does one care for mental health?
Here are 7 Self-Care Practices that one can explore and incorporate into one’s daily routine to improve mental health:
- Stay Physically Healthy:
Physical and mental health go hand in hand. Mental health conditions often have physical symptoms, just like poor physical health can take a toll on your mental wellbeing. Staying physically active through regular exercise, walking or yoga secretes endorphins which improve your mood and help you feel happy. Besides this, eating healthy, staying hygienic and getting regular medical checkups are important for your overall health. Taking care of ourselves physically can boost our mental health immensely.
- Meditation & Mindfulness:
Meditation is the process of redirecting your mind, and training it to focus. It can be used to help improve your mood, reduce stress and make you more aware of yourself and your surroundings.
Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and embracing it without judgement. It can be practiced almost anywhere. If you’re drinking a cup of tea, simply focus on drinking the tea. Do not let your mind waiver and worry about what you did in the past or you’re going to do next. Which route will have less traffic? Will you be able to finish that report? Thoughts like these creep in and pull us out of the present. Practicing mindfulness simply means being in the moment – fully present and aware.
Mindfulness is a great way to get in touch with your inner self as it teaches you to suspend judgement which be kind to yourself. - Build and Strengthen Connections:
Supportive relationships with family, friends and neighbours are known to boost mental wellbeing. It is important to have healthy fulfilling relationships, and social interaction should not be limited to occasions or celebrations. In the present situation, given the restrictions, a lot of us have been cut-off from society. At times like these, pick up the phone and get on a long call with a friend or a relative. Connecting with people you love can decrease stress, relieve anxiety and improve your mood. - Shake a Leg:
Put on some of your favourite music and just move. It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet, movement and music are known to be stress-busters. Moving to a rhythm can reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety in children and adults.
- Journal:
Journaling is simply writing down your thoughts, emotions and feelings in an attempt to understand them more clearly. This practice helps you take some time out for yourself to process and express your emotions. It can help you recognize patterns in your behaviour and identify positive and negative triggers, thus leading to a better understanding of yourself.
Journaling regularly is known to help manage stress, improve your mood and boost mental wellbeing. Here’s a wonderful session to learn more about how to use writing to improve your mental health and how to incorporate these practices into your daily life. - Get Some Rest:
Most of us compromise immensely on our sleep-in order to get things done. This can be extremely detrimental to our mental health, can cause increased stress and anxiety. Also, it leads to poor focus which affects other areas of our daily life.
Make sure you listen to your body and allow yourself to get the rest you deserve by maintaining a fulfilling sleep cycle.
- Mix & Match:
Mental health is highly subjective, and it’s important to find a self-care routine that works for you. It could be a self-care routine recommended by a professional, a combination of various common practices or something entirely new that you feel works for you. Listen to your mind and body and find what works best for yourself.
Remember that you don’t need to tackle everything all at once. Take it easy and go slow. But make sure to make time for self-care regularly. Taking a moment for yourself is a necessity and not a luxury that you reward yourself with every now and then. So go ahead and give yourself the care you deserve!