Self-Care Strategies: How to Prioritize Your Mental Health
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, often neglecting our own wellbeing in the process. However, prioritizing your mental health through self care is essential for maintaining your overall health and wellness. Self care is not just a trendy buzzword; it’s a necessary practice for leading a balanced and fulfilling life. So let's dive into how you can incorporate self care strategies that aren't too crazy or a lot of "work" to add into your routine to prioritize your mental health.
Understanding Self Care
If you are confused about what self care is, don't you worry! Self care involves taking deliberate actions to preserve or improve your mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s about recognizing your needs and taking steps to meet them. Contrary to popular belief, self care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. By taking care of yourself, you’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges and support those around you. You can't fill anyone else's cup up if yours is empty my friend! Especially if you have kids, it is so important to show them that you put in the work to practice self care because they learn bu example!
The Importance of Self Care for Mental Health
Prioritizing self-care can lead to numerous benefits, including:
Reduced Stress: Regular self care practices can help manage stress levels, therefore preventing burnout and enhancing your resilience.
Improved Mood: Engaging in activities you enjoy and taking time for relaxation can boost your mood and overall outlook on life - um, yes please!
Enhanced Relationships: When you take care of yourself, you’re more present and emotionally available for your loved ones.
Better Productivity: A well-cared-for mind is more focused and efficient, leading to improved productivity in both personal and professional spheres.
Next, let's dive into the self care practices to try...
Here are some self care strategies to help you prioritize your mental health:
1. Journaling
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can be incredibly therapeutic. Journaling allows you to process emotions, reflect on your experiences, and gain insight into your mental state. Set aside a few minutes each day to write in a journal, focusing on what you’re grateful for, what you’ve accomplished, or any challenges you’re facing. I've found that it is best to get a journal that you will enjoy writing it. Go to Chapters and shop around or search online for a cute journal, this way you are more likely to write in it believe it or not! Side note, I have been praciting JournalSpeak by Nicole Sachs and this has been unreal to dive deeper into my past stressors, my current stressors, and my personality. Tonight, before sitting down to write this blog post I wrote about my personality trait of 'perfectionism' and it was honestly the first time I had ever done anything like that. What came out of that 20 minute journal session was NOTHING that I had thought it would be but it was so healing, so make sure to check that out!
2. Engaging in Hobbies
Pursuing hobbies and interests that bring you joy can significantly impact your mental health. Whether it’s painting, gardening, reading, or playing a musical instrument, engaging in activities you love can provide a sense of fulfillment and relaxation. The hardest part I find as an adult is TRYING the damn thing. Speaking of perfectionism, I feel like we hold ourselves back from tyring something new because we "won't be good at it." Well no shit, you have never done it before so of course you won't be good at it. But life is about trying new things and figuring out if you will even like it or not. So take this as your sign to book the class, watch the YouTube videos, post the post, or whatever it is!
3. Mindfulness and Meditation
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you stay present and reduce anxiety. These practices encourage you to focus on the moment, letting go of worries about the past or future. Even just a few minutes of deep breathing or guided meditation each day can make a difference.
If you are saying to yourself right now "but I don't have time to meditate," then you my friend need at least 20 minutes per day!
4. Physical Activity
Exercise is a powerful tool for improving mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Find a type of exercise you enjoy, whether it’s walking, yoga, dancing, or cycling, and make it a regular part of your routine.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and do the dang thing. I bet that when the timer goes off after you have started the physical activity of your choice you will end up doing more ;).
5. Setting Boundaries
Learning to say no and setting boundaries is crucial for protecting your mental health. Understand your limits and don’t be afraid to enforce them. This might mean declining social invitations when you need alone time or setting clear expectations at work to prevent overcommitment.
And this can be HARD. I like the sentence "short term discomfort for long term gain" meaning that saying no as you set the boundaries will probably feel extremely uncomfortable for a short period of time but what you gain from that is HUGE!
6. Relaxation Techniques
Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine to manage stress and promote relaxation. This could include practices like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or spending time in nature.
My personal fave is spending time in nature, particularly the ocean! Let me know in the comment what your favourite nature spot is!
Making Self Care a Priority
To truly prioritize self-care, it’s important to make it a consistent part of your life. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Schedule It: Treat self care like any other important appointment. Set aside dedicated time for self care activities and stick to it.
Start Small: You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Begin with small, manageable changes and gradually build up your self-care routine.
Be Kind to Yourself: Remember that self care isn’t about perfection. Be gentle with yourself and recognize that it’s okay to have off days.
So there you have it. Prioritizing your mental health through self care is an ongoing journey, but it’s one absolutely worth embarking on. By incorporating self care strategies into your daily life, you can enhance your wellbeing, reduce stress, and improve your overall quality of life. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. So, start today and make self care a priority - you deserve it!
Peace, love, & avocados,
Katie Owner, Holistically Humble
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