Self-care is an Essential Element in Support of Your Mental Health
Getting Real Counseling Center has highlighted the importance of self-care in a weekly self-care suggestion on our social media accounts over the past few months. Many mental health researchers and facilities emphasize the importance of establishing a self-care practice as a means to support your mental health. The National Institute of Mental Health writes, “self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.” (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2021).
I too struggle with mental health issues and battle with anxiety, depression, and ADHD daily. I have found that creating small self-care practices and rituals for myself allows for focus on my well-being internally and externally. “When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact” (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). Daily self-care activities can be enjoying a warm beverage like coffee or tea, going for a walk, taking a bubble bath, applying a face mask, practicing a mantra, or anything else that is an easy plugin to your day to practice self-love. Individuals can incorporate weekly, monthly, and yearly self-care rituals as well. For myself, I love to take time every day to have a delicious cup of coffee, listen to music I enjoy, and place emphasis on maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and staying hydrated. Weekly, I get excited to hop into a hot bubble bath with essential oils to relax my mind and body and take time on this day each week to care for my exterior with hair and face masks, luxurious moisturizers, and anything else that feels as if I am showing love to my body. Some other self-care activities I enjoy are painting, outdoor activities, time with loved ones, and so much more. When I am super busy and fail to prioritize self-care, I often notice a significant impact on my mental health. Taking time for myself, allows me to refill my cup and continue to pour into the cups of those I love around me.
Getting Real Counseling Center has highlighted many self-care practices in our Thursday self-care suggestions, our personal favorites include: Prioritizing exercise, eating regular healthy meals, and focusing on hydration, getting plenty of sleep, practicing good hygiene, building strong relationships, practicing gratitude, setting goals, and priorities, enjoying relaxing activities and focusing on positivity. Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what fulfills your self-care needs. While self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding your triggers and establishing self-care practices and other healthy coping mechanisms can help manage and improve your mental health.
Check out these two great sites with self-care suggestions:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
https://mhanational.org/taking-good-care-yourself
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021, April). Caring for Your Mental Health. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved December 2, 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health.
